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How do I go about acquiring a business license for my apparel company? Or Do I need a business license to have my own apparel company? Both are very good question and each deserve their own small article. They go hand and hand so I decided to combine them and relate specific highlights from each one to the other.

When u decide to start an apparel company most think it is mandatory to have a business license. This couldn?t be further from the truth. Most stores will purchase regardless if u have a business license or not. Lets be truthful here how many times a year do we hear friends talking about starting a business but we have yet to see a business card, website, or a sales invoice! This is were I see the problem with not having a business license, how serious can u expect other business minded individuals too take you if u can?t invest in a business license. As stated previously in the FAQ ?If u sale your shirts out the back of your car it will most likely look like a brand u sell out the back of your car? and what about searching for capital don?t expect investors/banks/family to invest in your idea (which is what it will be at first) if u already haven?t! So yes it is a good idea to have a business license, but it?s not required.

Applying for a business license is a pretty simple process if u will have the money and follow these simple steps ahead. First u must check with your city business licensing sector and make sure it is okay for you to operate an apparel business in your city, county, town or wherever your office maybe. Most likely it will be alright because most apparel companies design, sketch, file papers and hold meeting at their offices etc. no actual manufacturing of garments are done in-house, but are outsourced to a custom manufacturer.

When applying they will have u fill out a form which will ask for your name, business structure, nature of your business, and what are your expected sales revenue for the year you applied being 2006 if u are getting your business ready for launch this year. Pretty simple right YES!

If u still are confused let me continue?.your name is your name unless u filed a DBA (doing-business-as) or fictitious name which means you?re registering your business in a name other than your government name. Your business structure is how you?re handling taxes, stocks, shares and will reflect you structure of business. There are different ways your business can be structured ranging from LLC, Incorporated (Inc) or a sole proprietorship. Those are just some of the most common business structures yours could be different. We will discuss the structure of your apparel business later down the line more in depth. The nature of your business all depends own what u will be doing out of your office. When starting my first line all I did was graphic design and give/receive calls and pack/ship a few orders, so there weren?t many guidelines too that. If u will be manufacturing your own garments in-house there will be guidelines and a certain area you will be able to operate in due to the nature of the business. Your expected sales revenue may be a little more difficult if u didn?t prepare a business plan with your expected sales for the years too come. Basically u will have to estimate your expected sales revenue for the year, so that they can process your business tax payment. The more you predict the more u pay and vice versa. Depending own what u predict u can find yourself paying back taxes because u predicted sales too low and actually sold more or u can be owed because u predicted too high and sold less. Its not really a bad situation just be prepared and estimate carefully don?t predict 6th year sales when your only in your first.

This is just to get u own your way to receive a business license this is in no way a certified guide that u are going too be approved, because many other things come into factor that could hinder you being your age, location vs. nature of your business, lack of sufficient funds, and the state your business is located in.

Fashion Industry Ceo

Comments are welcome!



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3 Responses to “Do I need a business license to start my own apparel company?if so How do I get it?”

  1. RAHH Says:

    Would it be better to have an LLC over an Inc. and or Sole Proprietorship?Also, when figuring out your expected sales revenue, is it safer to predict lower sales or higher?

  2. Industry Ceo Says:

    As far as the llc vs inc vs sole pro…I can tell u that llc and inc are your better choice because u receive tax benefits and you’re not liable to debts left just in case your business fails!…hopefully thats not the case…if setting up Sole pro you should not have that much money floating around?if using this form of business because if your business fails you are liable for every penny!…u definetly dont want that. I would say predict a?reasonable amount..if u have a business plan this shouldn’t be difficult if u don’t it may be a hard decision so yes…predict lower…cuz most of the time people tend to predict their going to sale $1,000,000 worth of merchandise there first year and thats usually not the case…i will email u more info on these topics.thanks,Fashion Industry Ceo

  3. Keisha Says:

    So your saying that it is best to have a business license, rite?

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