New business idea

[TexasHusker]

I am seriously considering forming a company that issues business licenses to new businesses for a small fee. A lot of people are concerned about getting a license to start a business, and I don't see that anyone is filling this void currently.

Thoughts?

[disneysteve]

I am seriously considering forming a company that issues business licenses to new businesses for a small fee. A lot of people are concerned about getting a license to start a business, and I don't see that anyone is filling this void currently.

Thoughts?

There's probably some demand for that as long as you can find a good way to reach people in need of that service. Since getting a business license is often just a matter of filing the paperwork, you probably can't charge a whole lot for assisting but it also wouldn't demand too much of your time.

[QuarterMillionMan]

At the Los Angeles County business licenses office droves of people stand outside of the office soliciting an offer to file the paperwork for the customers walking into the office of course for a fee. For one thing I wouldn't trust those people to file anything for me. Another thing is that I would already be at the location so I wouldn't need their services, I would just take care of it myself. The concept of the new business sounds good but curious how you'd advertise. Or would you be using people such as is the case in Los Angeles?

[disneysteve]

At the Los Angeles County business licenses office droves of people stand outside of the office soliciting an offer to file the paperwork for the customers walking into the office of course for a fee. For one thing I wouldn't trust those people to file anything for me. Another thing is that I would already be at the location so I wouldn't need their services, I would just take care of it myself. The concept of the new business sounds good but curious how you'd advertise. Or would you be using people such as is the case in Los Angeles?

That's odd. Why pay someone when you're already standing there ready to do it.

I can see the appeal of having someone do it for you but only if it saved you from actually having to go do it yourself.

[greenskeeper]

That's odd. Why pay someone when you're already standing there ready to do it.

I can see the appeal of having someone do it for you but only if it saved you from actually having to go do it yourself.

time wasted

[moneybags]

Are you thinking of doing this in one state? And are you creating a new license or just assisting with the paperwork? Each state has different rules and forms. I work in a small accounting office. We provide this service for our clients. I also think a lot of people pay lawyers to do this.

[TexasHusker]

Are you thinking of doing this in one state? And are you creating a new license or just assisting with the paperwork? Each state has different rules and forms. I work in a small accounting office. We provide this service for our clients. I also think a lot of people pay lawyers to do this.

No I'll give them a license to go into business anywhere in the world. I wouldn't be supplying any regulatory type licenses or permits - just an official looking license to frame and put on the wall so that they feel better that they have a license.

[disneysteve]

No I'll give them a license to go into business anywhere in the world. I wouldn't be supplying any regulatory type licenses or permits - just an official looking license to frame and put on the wall so that they feel better that they have a license.

Is this actually what you meant when you started this thread?

If so, from now on can you please clearly label your posts as being sarcasm so that the rest of us don't waste our time responding to them as if you were actually asking a legit question.

[disneysteve]

No I'll give them a license to go into business anywhere in the world. I wouldn't be supplying any regulatory type licenses or permits - just an official looking license to frame and put on the wall so that they feel better that they have a license.

Assuming you actually were serious (which I doubt), why would you want to distribute fraudulent licenses? How long do you think that would last before you got sued or arrested?

I have a business license in NJ. It was required for me to operate my collectibles business and sell at antique and collectible shows. It was required for me to collect and submit sales tax to the state. It was required when I rented display space at a local antique co-op store.

If a state agent had come to my booth and requested my license and I showed him some fake license I bought from you, they would have shut me down and fined me.

So I certainly hope this thread was intended as sarcasm.

[james.hendrickson]

Assuming you actually were serious (which I doubt), why would you want to distribute fraudulent licenses? How long do you think that would last before you got sued or arrested?

I have a business license in NJ. It was required for me to operate my collectibles business and sell at antique and collectible shows. It was required for me to collect and submit sales tax to the state. It was required when I rented display space at a local antique co-op store.

If a state agent had come to my booth and requested my license and I showed him some fake license I bought from you, they would have shut me down and fined me.

So I certainly hope this thread was intended as sarcasm.

I think that you can sell "novelty" licenses. I knew a guy who was thinking about buying a business that sold real estate "deeds" for plots of land on the moon. It was kind of a fun thing that girlfriends would get their geeky boyfriends on Valentine's day. Nobody really thought it was a genuine deed.

All you'd have to do is add a disclaimer on the bottom of the license.

[disneysteve]

I think that you can sell "novelty" licenses.

Sure, but that doesn't sound like what TH was proposing. Someone starting a small business actually needs a license to operate legally. Why would they buy one from him if they know it is fake?

[Fishindude77]

There are many businesses that require no license whatsoever yet there is a perception out there that there are a bunch of barriers and red tape in the way of getting into business for yourself. I appreciate the sarcasm.

[TexasHusker]

I think that you can sell "novelty" licenses. I knew a guy who was thinking about buying a business that sold real estate "deeds" for plots of land on the moon. It was kind of a fun thing that girlfriends would get their geeky boyfriends on Valentine's day. Nobody really thought it was a genuine deed.

All you'd have to do is add a disclaimer on the bottom of the license.

That's kind of what I'm thinking. Sort of like the companies that name a star after you. You get a certificate laying claim to the star. It's really not much different than a time share if you think about it. For $XXXXX, you now "own" a tiny sliver of XYZ resort - as long as you keep paying the fees. And it's fully transferable, if you are lucky enough to find some other gullible sap to fall for the same thing.

A business "license" would give people that warm and fuzzy feeling that they are licensed to do business. Whether or not it is legally required is irrelevant.

[disneysteve]

Whether or not it is legally required is irrelevant.

How is it irrelevant? If the business needs a license and all they have is a worthless piece of paper you sold them on the pretense that it was a license, they're going to be in a heap of trouble when they get caught.

[disneysteve]

There are many businesses that require no license whatsoever

And that's fine. It's the responsibility of the individual to do their homework and find out what they need. I spoke to our accountant when I set up my business to make sure I got the proper license to operate legally. Anyone starting a business ought to be doing the same.