Firstly, ask yourself:
- What makes Virginia the right place to open my business?
- Which steps should I take to help me succeed?
- What are the funding options available in Virginia?
How to start a business in Virginia
Here are four easy steps to help you open a business in Virginia:
Before establishing how to start a small business in any state, you’ll need to map out how you want your business to look. You should consider what products or
services to offer, how you’ll reach your customers, and more. Ultimately, you
should compile this information in a business plan.
1. Register
business in Virginia
LLC or incorporate in the state
To register your small business within Virginia's state
borders, you'll need to form an LLC or incorporate in the state.
To form an LLC in Virginia, you will need to name a
Registered Agent for the company with a physical street address in the state.
Next, file the 'Articles of Organization with the Virginia State CorporationCommission. You can file these documents online or by mail. The fee for filing
these documents is $100.
But if you want to incorporate instead, you will file
'Articles of Incorporation' with the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
Again, these documents can be filed online or by mail with a $100 fee.
Virginia business license
With these documents in place, it is a good idea to review the licensing requirements in the state. In some cases, you may need to obtain
an additional Virginia business license to operate your specific business.
An annual business report
After you initially file, you'll need to file an annual
business report. Whether you are a Virginia LLC or corporation, you must file
an annual report on or before the last day of your anniversary month. The
annual report can be brief. But you'll have to pay a $50 filing fee. It's good
to mark this due date in your calendar because you may face late fees if you
don't file on time.
2. Explore
your funding options
A business plan
A good way to begin exploring your funding options is to
craft a business plan. A business plan can help you determine how much money you’ll need, including your business startup costs, but it also signals to potential lenders and investors that you are ready to move forward.
Compare loan options
If you already have your business plan in place, then it is
time to compare your small business loan options. Torro is the best place to
start your search. The company offers competitive small business loans that
offer the funding you need. But if you aren’t sure that Torro is the right fit,
other small business loan options are available.
Beyond small business loans, you could potentially secure
funding through an investor. Although finding the right investor for your small
business can be a challenge, it is an option worth exploring.
3. Obtain
the appropriate insurance
In most cases, a General Business Insurance policy will
suffice for Virginia business insurance. Although you may hope that your
business runs smoothly, things can go wrong. With a good insurance policy in
place, you won’t have to worry about minor mishaps derailing your business’
future.
4. Keep
tax in mind
It will be no surprise that you need to pay taxes on your business profits. Virginia business tax rules have specific regulations to follow. For example, you’ll have to collect and report a sales tax of at least 5.3%.
Virginia small business statistics
There are plenty of reasons to start or move your business
to Virginia. According to the Chamber of Commerce, small businesses in Virginia
make up a large portion of the state's economy.
At the moment, there are 745,886 active small businesses in
Virginia. These small businesses employ approximately 1.5 million Virginians,
accounting for 47.2% of the state's private workforce. One appealing statistic
for new small businesses in this state is that 78.62% of startups in this state
survive their first year.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to start a business in Virginia, it is
time to take action. Virginia’s small business owners comprise a large part of
the state’s economy. There are many incentives for the state to continue
supporting this vibrant community of businesses.
If you are ready to own a small business in Virginia,
consider your funding options carefully. The right business loan can make all
the difference. Explore your options with our detailed guide today.
