Whether you’re planning on making and selling tote bags from your home, starting a software company, or building a brewery, the steps to starting a business can be confusing. The Loudoun Department of Economic Development wants to help you get started and guide you through the process as quickly and easily as possible.
Our Small Business Quick Start Checklist gives entrepreneurs the steps that they need to start a business in Loudoun. We help you determine the correct legal structure to choose, find the space that’s right for you and direct you toward the licenses and permits for which you need to register.
If you’re looking for either land or a pre-existing office space, our website features both available building and available land databases. Along with your broker, these up-to-date informational tools will help you find the location that’s right for your new venture. Is your business going to be on a smaller scale? We also offer specific information on starting a home-based business.
The checklist is aimed to provide a starting point and is bolstered by personal assistance offered both in our office and in Building and Development. Debi Roder, our small business and entrepreneurship manager, is available to help entrepreneurs through the process. Of the checklist she says, “DED is dedicated to helping Loudoun entrepreneurs succeed and grow. Our goal with the Quick Start Checklist is to help business owners by making our internal process clearer.”
Scot Ferris is your liaison in the Department of Building and Development. If you have zoning or permit questions, he’s the one you want to ask. Ferris advises entrepreneurs to “make sure you do all your homework with your real estate agent and zoning office. Find out what business licenses you’ll need. There are lots of externalities you may not know about.”
Internally, we are expanding the checklist to make it as comprehensive as possible. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Rick Morris.
