If I wanted to start my own sewing business, what steps should I take?
Actually there are many more questions that may need to be answered before we can get to answering your question. Such as:
– Where will you be opening this business?
– What name will you be operating under?
– Will you have any employees?
– Will you be selling products out of the store, or doing alterations?
If you are planning on working out of your home, your first step will be to determine if the area your home is located in is zoned correctly to allow you to have a business there. Depending of wether you will be doing alternations you will have few customers actually at your home, and usually not all at the same time. If you are opening a business that will be selling products (sewing machines, thread, ribbons, material ect) that would generally mean more traffic. (Both with delivery trucks and customers).
If you are planning on being a sole owner/operator and will operate under your own name, you would not need to file any identifying information in the Clerk’s Office. If you are planning on using an ‘assumed name’ such as “Kit’s Kreations”, you would need to file an assumed name certificate in the Clerk’s Office where you plan on opening the business. (Otherwise known as a ‘doing-business-as’ —dba— certificate).
If you will have employees, or being selling product subject to New York State Sales Tax, you will need to apply to the Tax Department for a Tax Identification Number. You may also need to file quarterly sales tax reports and income tax estimates.
There may be several other areas that you will need to address, such as securing liability insurance (product and property) and business insurance. If you are having a partner, a partnership agreement. Or if incorporating, shareholder agreements. Once you have set out your plans, meet with your Attorney, Financial Advisor or Tax Advisor and Insurance Agent to insure you are fully protected.
As always this is a general answer to a general question. Each legal issue may contain other factors that need to be discussed with your own attorney.
If you have a question for Attorney Kukuvka, please mail them to her at 330 E. Main , Palmyra, NY 14522, or e-mail to cklaw@verizon.net.