Gotta Do It Legal

So I have the name - now what. Time to make the people at the state happy. If you are not using your own name as the business (for example Barb Talijan Designs) you must file for a fictitious name. Here's the link to file for a fictitious name in Pennsylvania and here's more information (for PA again). Just google it for your state. This costs money - first there is a filing fee with the state and then you have to advertise the name in local newspapers to see if there is anyone who has a problem with it.

Once I got notification that my name was copacetic, I had to register the business with the state. At this point you need to decide - sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, LLC, etc. A sole proprietorship can be registered under your social security number or a Federal EIN number.

The Ornamental Lady was only ever going to be just me - no employees - out of my house - simple - sole proprietorship. Owl Be Beading will be a brick and mortar store someday - which means employees, liability insurance, property - slightly more complicated. So I am a sole proprietorship for now while selling online but I will become an LLC when I get bigger. I also applied for a Federal EIN number because I will have employees --- someday. You can apply for a Federal EIN here. The neat thing - you'll have the number in a couple of minutes.

Next I have to register my business with the state and get a sales tax number. Again I give you the link for Pennsylvania - which I used. I just had to answer a few questions and wait for the state to say I am legit.

You should check with local Small Business Administration office to verify the steps for your state and I am not a lawyer saying this is how you do it exactly. I am a person setting up a bead store and telling you how I am doing it.

Next up - banking - credit cards and online.