Starting your own business in Vermont is a big step, and it’s normal to feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. But you’re not alone in this journey. We’ve put together a clear, step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

Steps To Start A Business In Vermont

Step 1: Choose a Business Idea

The first step in starting a business is finding a profitable business idea. While that may sound obvious, how do you know it’s the right one? Here is a list of a few things that I recommend looking at:

• Identify your passions and strengths: Align your business idea with your personal interests and strengths. Profits can come and go in business, but doing something that plays on your strengths helps you stay committed for the long haul.
• Know what you are getting into: Really spend some time researching your industry. We have a library of business ideas to get detailed industry information, trends, costs to start, tips, and lots more, but I also recommend talking with other business owners and going to industry events to learn tips and mistakes from others who have already been through it.
• Test your idea: Before fully committing to your business idea, get some feedback and validate whether your idea is feasible. This could include creating a minimum viable product, conducting surveys, or hosting focus groups. Fine-tune your idea based on the insights you gain from this testing phase.

Step 2: Write a Business Plan

Once a solid business idea is in place, it’s time to start working on the business plan. Writing a business plan helps entrepreneurs organize their ideas, define clear objectives and goals, analyze market opportunities, develop strategies for growth and success, project future cash flows, secure financing, and more.

Many people only consider writing a business plan because the bank asks for one in order to get funding. While that’s a valid reason, more importantly, writing a business plan gets the ideas out of the entrepreneur’s head and helps create a roadmap for where they want the business to go. Just as most builders wouldn’t build a house without blueprints, an entrepreneur shouldn’t build a business without a business plan.

Related: How to write a business plan

Step 3: Find the Money

When starting up a new business in Vermont, one of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face is raising enough capital. Fortunately, many financing options are available to help support small business growth. Here are just a few:

Personal funds: One of the first places to look for funding a business is through personal funds. This could include using savings, investments, or other assets that you may have access to. It is important to remember that if you are using your own money, it should be done with caution as there is no guarantee of return on investment and to keep some cash on hand in case sales are slower than you initially project.

• Pros: Full control, no interest payments, and no credit checks.
• Cons: Limited resources, potential loss of personal assets, and no outside input.

Conventional bank loans: Traditional bank loans are a popular funding option for small businesses. These loans require a personal investment, solid credit history, collateral, and a detailed business plan.

• Pros: Competitive interest rates and long repayment terms.
• Cons: Requires collateral, credit checks, and a detailed application process.

SBA Loan Guarantees: The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers loan guarantee programs to support small businesses. These programs provide a government-backed guarantee to lenders, making it easier for small businesses to secure financing.

• Pros: Low interest rates, long repayment terms, and increased chances of approval.
• Cons: Lengthy application process, stringent eligibility requirements, and potential fees.

Microloan programs: Microloans are small, short-term loans offered by nonprofit organizations, community development financial institutions (CDFIs), and other specialized lenders. These loans are designed for small businesses with limited credit history or collateral.

• Pros: Accessible to underserved entrepreneurs, manageable loan amounts, and potential for business training and support.
• Cons: Typically higher interest rates compared to traditional loans, and limited loan amounts.

Investors: Attracting investors, such as angel investors or venture capitalists, can provide your business with the necessary capital in exchange for equity or a share of future profits.

• Pros: Access to larger amounts of capital, valuable guidance and mentorship, and potential connections to industry networks.
• Cons: Giving up partial ownership, potential loss of control, and investor involvement in decision-making.

Related: Understanding the different types of business funding

Step 4: Select a Business Structure

The next step to starting a business in Vermont is selecting a business structure. A business structure (also referred to as a business entity) is how a business is organized to do business.

There are four common types of business structures in Vermont: sole proprietorship, general partnership, corporation, and Limited Liability Company (LLC). Each one offers varying levels of control, flexibility, personal liability protection, and tax obligations.

Sole proprietorship: This is the simplest business structure, where an individual operates the business without a separate legal entity. Profits and losses are reported on the owner’s personal tax return, and the owner has unlimited personal liability. This means if the business is sued, the owner is personally liable.

• Pros: Easy to set up, low start-up costs, and minimal paperwork.
• Cons: Unlimited personal liability, difficulty raising capital, and limited growth potential.

Related: How to start a sole proprietorship in Vermont

General partnership: This is a form of business ownership where two or more people own and operate a business together. Profits and losses are divided among the partners and reported on their personal tax returns. Each partner also has unlimited personal liability for the business.

• Pros: Easy to set up, shared responsibility, and pooled resources.
• Cons: Unlimited personal liability for each partner, potential conflicts, and difficulty dissolving the partnership.

Corporation: A corporation is a separate legal entity owned by shareholders. It provides limited liability protection to its owners, meaning shareholders are not personally liable for corporate debts. Profits and losses are taxed at the corporate level, and dividends paid to shareholders are taxed again at the individual level, resulting in double taxation.

• Pros: Limited liability protection, easier access to capital, and transferable ownership.
• Cons: Potential for double taxation, more complex paperwork, and higher administrative costs.

Related: How to form a Vermont corporation

Limited Liability Company (LLC): An LLC is a hybrid structure that combines the limited liability protection of a corporation with the tax flexibility of a sole proprietorship or partnership.

• Pros: Limited liability protection, tax flexibility, and fewer administrative requirements than a corporation.
• Cons: More complex and costly to set up than a sole proprietorship or general partnership, and potential difficulty raising capital.

Related: How to form a Vermont LLC

Step 5: Register the Business

To operate a business legally in Vermont, there are several federal, state, and local registrations and licenses that may be needed. Some common registrations include:

Business licenses: The state of Vermont doesn’t have a general business license; however, depending on your business type and location, you may need local licensing to operate legally. Some common licenses and permits in Vermont include local business licensing, signage permits, zoning permits, and others.

Employer Identification Number: An EIN, also known as a Federal Tax ID Number, is issued by the IRS to identify your business for tax purposes. You’ll need an EIN if you have employees or operate as a partnership, corporation, or multi-member LLC. Learn how to register for an EIN.

Business name registration: If you are starting a sole proprietorship or general partnership in Vermont and doing business under your full first and last name, like John Smith, for example, there is no filing, but if the business will operate under a fictitious business name or DBA (Doing Business As) like John Smith’s Handyman Service, Mr. Handyman, etc., you will need to file for an Assumed Name (commonly called a Doing Business As or DBA with the Vermont Secretary of State.

Business tax registration: Most businesses will need to register for a Business Tax Account with the Vermont Department of Taxes. This allows for the registration of several accounts with the state, such as the Sales and Use Tax for businesses selling products and certain services and the Employer Withholding Tax for businesses with employees.

Professional licensing: Some occupations, such as barbers, athletic trainers, and tattoo artists, require licensing and will register with the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation. While this isn’t a license on the business, licensing is required in order to operate.

Related: What business licenses and permits are needed in Vermont?

Step 6: Open a Business Bank Account

The next step for small business owners is to keep their business finances separate from their personal ones. Not only does doing so make things easier come tax time, but it helps ensure that everything stays organized and streamlined.

In the case of an LLC or corporation, keeping your business and personal finances separate is essential to maintain the limited liability protection provided by these structures. Mixing funds can potentially expose your personal assets to legal and financial risks in case of business debts or lawsuits.

Step 7: Hire Employees

Hiring your first employee is a major milestone for any small business owner and requires careful preparation as there are multiple agencies to register with and labor laws to understand.

Employers are responsible for reporting new hires, verifying employees are eligible to work in the U.S., and determining income tax withholding, unemployment insurance, unemployment taxes, and payroll withholding taxes, including Social Security and Medicare.

Related: Steps to hiring your first employee in Vermont

Step 8: Obtain Business Insurance

Small business owners in Vermont have a lot to consider when starting their business. One important step is to make sure that their business is properly insured. There are several key policies that every small business owner must consider when establishing their operations in Vermont. I’ll explain some of the most common ones.

• General liability insurance: This policy covers claims arising from third-party bodily injury, property damage, and personal or advertising injury.
• Professional liability insurance (Errors & Omissions): This policy protects businesses that provide professional services or advice, covering claims of negligence, misrepresentation, or failure to perform professional duties.
• Commercial property insurance: This coverage protects your business property, including buildings, equipment, furniture, and inventory, against damage or loss due to fire, theft, or natural disasters.
• Workers’ compensation insurance: Required by law in Vermont for all businesses with employees, this policy provides coverage for medical expenses and lost wages for employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses.
• Commercial auto insurance: If your business uses vehicles for transportation or deliveries, commercial auto insurance covers damages and liability resulting from accidents involving your company-owned vehicles.

Related: Types of insurance your business may need

Step 9: Set up an Accounting System

Setting up an accounting system for your business is one of the most important things you can do for your company to ensure long-term success.

There are various types of records a small business owner needs to maintain for effective bookkeeping:

• Sales receipts: Keep track of all sales transactions, including cash, credit card, and online payments, to ensure accurate revenue reporting.
• Purchase invoices: Maintain records of all business-related expenses, such as purchases of inventory, equipment, or services, to monitor costs and claim tax deductions.
• Accounts payable: Track all outstanding bills and debts owed by your business to suppliers, lenders, or other creditors.
• Accounts receivable: Monitor the amounts owed to your business by customers or clients for goods or services provided on credit.
• Payroll records: Document employee wages, salaries, and tax withholdings to comply with labor laws and tax requirements.
• Bank statements: Reconcile your bank statements with your financial records to ensure accuracy and detect discrepancies or fraud.
• Tax filings and receipts: Retain copies of all tax filings and supporting documentation to ensure compliance and prepare for potential audits.

Organizing all this information isn’t a simple tax, but there are several ways to make it easier. One option is to use accounting software such as QuickBooks or Xero to automate the bookkeeping process. If you don’t have the time or expertise to manage your bookkeeping, you could outsource the process by hiring an accountant or bookkeeper who can handle everything for you.

Related: Setting up accounting for a business

This material is property of StartingYourBusiness.com

Common questions when starting a business in Vermont

Vermont Small Business Resources

There are 76,878 small businesses in Vermont, which is 99% of all businesses in the state,¹ and 60.4% of Vermont employees work for small businesses.² Because of the economic impact of small businesses, the state of Vermont has invested in several small business programs to help Vermont businesses start and grow. Some of these resources include:

• LaunchVT: This is an early-stage business accelerator.
• ThinkVermont: This state resource provides access to a wide array of resources and lending programs, catering to the diverse needs of Vermont businesses.
• Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies: VCET focuses on nurturing Vermont startups by providing consultation, funding access, and affordable workspace options.
• Vermont Economic Development Authority: Provides funding programs and resources to Vermont entrepreneurs.
• Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center: VMEC offers educational resources and assistance to enhance the efficiency and productivity of manufacturers.
• Vermont Small Business Administration: The SBA plays a role in lending and facilitating connections between businesses and lenders.
• Vermont Small Business Development Center: The Vermont SBDC provides guidance and support for business owners in the state.

Sources

1. Small Business Administration ↩︎
2. Census Bureau ↩︎