Online Tool kit
Want to improve your business, but don’t know where to start? We’re creating an online tool kit to help you start you business from anywhere.
Here are many of the tools mentioned in our First Step training.
FIRST STEP manual, worksheets, and handoutS and CIE’s Lean launch handbook
The First Step Worksheet Package, our complete First Step Manual and our Lean Launch Manual are available for download, for free, here. To reach the download page, please submit your name and email address below to continue. This includes our Grow Ready Checklist and all of the worksheets discussed in First Step.
TOOLS FOR MARKET RESEARCH
US Census
Economic Census
US Census County Business Patterns
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Licensing and Permits
(Not all cities are listed, please research your own city if it is not listed here.)
What business licenses do you need?
- Washington State Department of Revenue Trade Name Registration Business License.
- City Licenses for whatever cities you’ll be doing business in.
- Food-related and other specialty businesses will need additional permits, for example from Public Health Seattle & King County.
Start a Business in Washington State
Public Health Seattle & King County
City of Seattle
City of SeaTac
City of Tukwila
Department of Revenue
Washington State Business Licensing Guide
Grow Seattle including Restaurant Success Program
Personal Finance and Credit
Clearpoint Credit Counseling
Apprisen Credit Counseling
Free Annual Credit Reports
Mint.com Budgeting and Personal Finance Tool
Food business resources
Licenses (Chart provided by Urban Food Link)
| License Type | Who needs it | Fee, if any |
|---|---|---|
| EIN/Federal Tax Identification Number | All businesses with employees | free |
| Washington State Department of Revenue business license | All businesses | $24 for sole proprietors |
| City Business License | All businesses within a city | varies by city |
| Food Handlers Permit | All individuals preparing food | $10 for 2 years |
| Meat Cutter License | All individuals cutting fresh meat | $96 test + $66 license |
| Liquor License | All businesses serving liquor | varies |
| State Food Processor License | Any business that processes food for wholesale | $55-825 (depends on gross sales) |
| State Cottage Food License | Any business operating under Cottage Food Processor Law (out of your own home) | $230 |
| FDA Food Processor License | Any business processing low-acid and acidified foods for wholesale or retail. | $25 per product & $400 training |
This table is only provided as a guideline. Please contact CIE, your local city government, or Public Health for complete licensing information about your particular business.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS ADVISING RESOURCES
SCORE
Small Business Development Center
Small Business Administration
MercyCorps Northwest
