SMALL BUSINESS START-UP GUIDE

SIX STEPS TO STARTING A BUSINESS IN FAIRFAX COUNTY

AND WHERE TO TURN FOR HELP

Are you thinking about starting a business in Fairfax County?

Congratulations!

Fairfax County is full of entrepreneurs, dreamers and strivers—and the

Fairfax County Economic Development Authority is here with many partners

and resources to help you launch your business.

Inside, you’ll find a checklist to help you be part of one of the world’s

best business communities.

Let’s get started!

Think big. Plan big.

Do your research: Learn all you can about your industry, market, customers and competitors.

Take advantage of free SCORE mentoring services.

Prepare a business plan.

RESOURCES:

Register for the FCEDA’s “Entrepreneurship 101: Starting a Business in Fairfax County” workshop.

Make an appointment for free SCORE mentoring at the FCEDA.

Check out classes and workshops at the Community Business Partnership.

Visit the U.S. Small Business Administration website for webinars and business plan templates.

Location! Location! Location!

Decide where you’ll run your business: at home, a co-working space or executive office suite, or leased or owned commercial space.

Learn about office and industrial space options from the FCEDA.

Understand your local zoning, site and permit requirements.

RESOURCES:

Contact the FCEDA about real estate options.

Check out Business Experience (BizEx) resources on the Fairfax County website for help with permits, licenses, reviews and inspections.

Download the home-occupation permit application on the Fairfax County website.

Download the FCEDA’s “Alternative Office Space” fact sheet and Real Estate Report.

Get legal. Choose a form of business ownership:

sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or nonprofit.

Register your business with the appropriate county and state agencies based on your form of ownership.

Register your business with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Secure necessary occupation- and industry-related licenses and permits.

RESOURCES:

Check out Business Experience Resources, Department of Tax Administration and Clerk of the Circuit court pages on the Fairfax County website.

Visit the State Corporation Commission website for business-formation resources.

Visit the Business One Stop page on the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity website.

Show me the money!

Understand your operational and capital funding needs.

Check out funding sources for businesses like yours.

Learn the differences between commercial loans, microloans, grants, equity investing, debt financing and alternative funding options.

RESOURCES:

Network with banks that specialize in small business lending.

Check out funding programs administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity.

Take a Community Business Partnership workshop on business financing.

Meet with the FCEDA about potential funding sources.

Download the FCEDA’s “Capital Investment” fact sheet.

Find the right talent.

Get an Employer Identification Number from the IRS.

Learn about employment regulations.

Discover resources for recruiting and training.

RESOURCES:

Visit the Virginia Employment Commission website for labor market information and employer regulations.

Contact a SkillSource Center for employee recruitment, development and retention resources.

Check out IRS resources for companies.

Download the FCEDA’s “Workforce Resources” fact sheet.

Pay your taxes! File a business tax registration

application with the Virginia Department of Taxation and the Virginia Employment Commission.

Report business personal property annually to the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration.

Understand and pay your county, state and federal tax obligations.

RESOURCES:

Visit the Virginia Department of Taxation and Virginia Employment Commission websites.

Check out the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration website.

Download the FCEDA’s “Business Taxes and Fees” fact sheet.

8300 Boone Boulevard, Suite 450 Tysons, Virginia 22182

703-790-0600 • info@fceda.org

www.FairfaxCountyEDA.org

What else can the FCEDA do

for you? Visit the FCEDA website.

Attend FCEDA classes and events.

Let’s meet to discuss potential business partners, customers and organizations that can help you start and expand your business.

Subscribe to the E-Bird newsletter.

Follow the FCEDA on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.