FINALLY, we are starting to see people’s faces (and their smiles!), get frequent phone calls and watch new business license applications come across our desks: Restaurants, Day Spas, Taverns, Tastings at Wineries/ Breweries/ Meaderies. As we develop a relationship with these applicants, their DREAM comes to life. We discover WHY they decided that THIS was the business to pursue. What makes it unique and how they will shine in the face of competition.
We’re hoping to see many more new license applicants and if you are one of those businesses, here are a few things that you should think about – NOW. Making the right decisions, now, will leave you room, later, to grow in logical ways. Here are the Top things to know when starting a business (any business, not only the ones that will someday serve alcohol):
- Get specific with your mission: Write it down – your dream location, your financial goals, your work hours, where you’ll work, when you’ll hire, when you’ll expand. This mission is the “why” of your business and is possibly one of the most important parts of your business and determines the answers to the questions: What do you REALLY want? Why are you really starting your own business? Do you want freedom or to retire younger or to create a different lifestyle or to earn a certain salary? You MUST know your “why.” No one is going to stand over you to ensure you reach your daily goals. In fact, no one is going to create the daily goals for you in the first place. This is all up to you. If you have a monthly financial goal, you’ll need to ensure that you do what’s necessary, every single day, or else you won’t reach your goal. If you don’t have the VISION to begin with, the every-day stuff will seem harder.
- Determine what you are an expert in. Do That. Plan to outsource the rest!
- Determine a domain name for your website and search availability. Here is a site ( https://www.godaddy.com/ ) that I’d recommend to do so. Use your trade name as your domain name (checking this first will help you determine your trade name!). Do some Google searches to make sure someone else is not already using the name you have in mind (especially locally!). Note: the shorter the domain name, the better.
- Determine your company name and trade name. Snag that name on all social media sites, even if you don’t do more than create the URL, right now.
- Get that website up! You must have one, if you want to be found. Even if it is a three-page How-To-Find-Us, get a website up and live – before you open.
- Add a blog to your website, at this stage. A blog on your website will increase Search Engine Optimization (SEO). This blog can be cross posted to all your social-media channels – which drives traffic back to your product, on your website! It also shows you as a Subject Matter Expert and someone to trust and communicate with. Lastly, the more *active links that you have, the higher quality the SEO. (Note about *active links: if you have 5 social-media channels and don’t post to any of them, it isn’t doing you any good and eventually will make you look like you aren’t even operating! Make a plan to post SOMETHING on on social media sites or don’t create them).
- Register your company with the VA SCC. https://vaabc.com/apply-online/va-company-formation
- Register for your FEIN https://vaabc.com/apply-online/employer-identification-number
- Register your trade name, I recommend having a trade name that is different than your LLC name https://vaabc.com/apply-online/trade-name-dba-fictitious-name
- Note: VA Sales and Use registration is only needed when you start to sell products and charge/collect sales tax; we can help with this registration when you are closer to opening, for business.
- Create a plan for social media. Plan on having some presence on all relevant Social Media sites and snag your trade name or company name on all that you deem necessary. Create a plan (on paper, with priorities) for having some engagement on every site, using key words on the platforms you’ve chosen. Plan to outsource or dedicate time to managing your social-media outlets.
- Consider hiring a business coach. Check with your Chamber of Commerce; they may have a suggestion for a free coach or mentor. A coach is so valuable in holding you accountable to your goals. Owning a business is 24-hour a day work. You’ll think about it – even when sleeping! Because of this potential for burn out, a coach is so very important. If you take on too much, (very easy to do because you’re trying to wear all the hats and save all the money), you’ll quickly become overwhelmed and lose sight of your goals and baby steps to get there.
- Apply for your business license and your alcohol license. https://vaabc.com/apply-online/abc-application-intro
- Stay AWAY from negative people! Surround yourself with successful people that cheer you on. If your tribe isn’t made up of successful, positive, go-getters — it may be time to expand your tribe.
- Know this: Money is currency. Currency means to flow, to run (i.e. the circulation of money). You are simply a vessel that money flows through. Don’t stop the flow of money with a mindset of LACK! Always stay positive and optimistic about money. Spending and making money should come easy to you – especially if you are planning to own your own business. I believe MONEY has ears! Don’t run it off; welcome it!
- Be grateful! Every single day, wake up and write down what you are grateful for. Be grateful for closed doors and new opportunities. The quickest way to lose money (and subsequently stop the flow) is lack of gratitude.
Lastly, please hire professionals so that you fill out license applications and registrations in the correct order. This will save you time and ultimately money, in the long run. If you hire ABC Consulting, we’ll walk through the applications as you fill them out and ensure that they are submitted complete and at the correct time.
Have more questions? We welcome them! No matter what kind of business you are Starting Up, we can help you get your business started — and on the RIGHT foot, so if/when you add alcohol to the menu, you won’t have to redo all your registrations. Call us: 800-785-0161
*Disclaimer: The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This website contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user, or browser; ABC Consulting VA, LLC does not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites. Readers of this website should contact their attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter. No reader, user, or browser of this site should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this site without first seeking legal advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. Only your individual attorney can provide assurances that the information contained herein – and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation. The views expressed at, or through, this site are those of the individual authors’ writing in their individual capacities only. All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken, based on the contents of this site, are hereby expressly disclaimed. The content on this posting is provided “as is;” no representations are made that the content is error-free. In no capacity do we represent the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, IRS, SCC or any other government agency.
