How to Open a Business in Florida
Florida is a state known for its gorgeous weather and vacation destination spots. Its the perfect place for retirement and spring break. Families flock to Orlando from all over this world to experience the magic of Disney World. A business started in Florida has a great chance of success because of the many opportunities that the state offers that you will find nowhere else in the country. Once you decide the city where you want to set up shop and the specific business that will prosper in that area, start living the American dream in Florida with a business of your own.
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Instructions
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1
Check out Florida's Small Business Association division. Designed to help Floridians navigate the confusing waters of starting up a small business, the association will help put together all the pieces of your strategy puzzle (see Resources).
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2
Write a business plan. This needs to detail how your business fits into the economy of Florida, how your business is different from any similar businesses, and what you can contribute to the state through your business. Write down a financial plan within the business plan, detailing when and how your profit should likely come along.
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3
Look for the location of your business. Florida's communities are about as varied and diverse as the residents that fill them. If you have a family business, consider locating it in Orlando. Orlando is one of the nation's premiere family vacation destinations. Senior citizens retire to Florida at an alarming rate, and you will have the best luck for a business aimed at the elderly by placing it in one of Florida's beautiful coastal towns. Once you have secured a location through leasing or purchasing it, you are ready to really get started.
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Find a mentor in your local community. It should be someone who has succeeded in business, yet not in a business that will be at all in competition with your own. That's important to avoid a conflict of interest. The Small Business Association can help you in pairing you with a mentor, or you can find one yourself through contacts and friends in your community. A successful family member can even serve as a mentor. Reach high here because you want to model your business off of one that is widely successful.
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Apply for business grants with the help of the Florida Small Business Association. Depending on your ethnicity, sex or family history, you may be eligible for all kinds of fun, generous grants. With a business grant, you usually never have to repay it. You may even be eligible for a federal or state grant.
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Use the business plan you created in Step 2 to apply for a business loan. Go to the Bank of Florida (see Resources) or other reputable Florida bank. Make sure it's insured by the FDIC. Check out its history. This loan should be for the amount that you need after any grants given and personal investment capital has been counted. Based upon your business plan and personal credit, the bank will decide of the amount of loan it is willing to give you. Collateral, such as the building of your business, can be helpful in securing the loan.
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Make it official. Now that funding is in order, make your business official with the state of Florida. Decide if you want a proprietorship, partnership or a corporation. A proprietorship is just you running the show. A partnership is two partners doing the work and sharing responsibilities and profits. A corporation lets you have a board that runs the show. Consult with a business lawyer to see what best fits your personal needs. Most small businesses start as a proprietorship.
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Create business cards and postcards. A new business needs some serious advertisement. Word of mouth can't happen until you are open for business. Get the word out by handing out your business card and doing a postcard mailing to local households and businesses.
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Network in your Floridian community. Meet your neighbors and other local businesses. Ask to set up postcards and coupons in local businesses where potential clients and customers lurk.
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Keep an eye on your business on the Florida Better Business Bureau website (see Resources). Check out any reviews that customers give. Always try to keep customers satisfied by addressing any needs they may have prior to getting to this complaint Website. If, however, a complaint appears, address it both with the customer and with the website and bureau itself. Speaking up for yourself will let smart, potential customers know that you are aware of the problem and what you have done to fix it. If you contact the customer and set the problem right to his satisfaction, he'll likely take down the complaint altogether, leaving a happy situation in its wake.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider your business for several months before proceeding to make sure that you are truly committed to your business...and its success.
Don't try to start a Florida-based business while you are out of state. This can get confusing and lack all practicality. That is, of course, unless you have a very trusted business associate or family member residing in the Sunshine State. If she is willing to help, proceed. Otherwise, wait until you can come here, or open your business elsewhere.
