Starting a Small Business in Florissant: DBAs, Licenses and Permits

Welcome back to our series on .

This week, we're offering tips and resources on how to register your business name and obtain local licenses and permits. Next week, we’ll discuss how to deal with your business taxes.

Last week’s experts, and , are back with more tips for potential small business owners. Bob Russell, the ’s director of economic development, also returns with a bit of advice on obtaining licenses and permits.

Now that you’ve , you’re ready to register your business name.

Registering Your ‘DBA’ Name

First, you’ll decide what to call your business—if you’ll be using a name other than your own, you’ll need to register it with the Secretary of State as a “fictitious name.”

That’s because, according to the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA), Missouri law requires “any person or business entity which transacts business in the state under a name other than their own ‘true name’ to register that business name with the Missouri Secretary of State as a Fictitious Name Registration.”

If your business is already incorporated but you want to do business under a different name, you’ll need a “Doing Business As” (DBA) name as well.

“The Secretary of State’s website makes it fairly easy both check availability of business entity names and to register them,” Coleman said.

Shoaf agreed, pointing out that “in the State of Missouri it is one of the simplest processes to complete.”

The Registration of Fictitious Name forms can be completed and submitted online at Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan’s website.

“One word of caution, consult your tax professional and an attorney before filing,” Shoaf added. “This may save you some duplication of work and money in the long run.”

Other Florissant Registrations You Might Need to Consider

Shoaf said that depending on the type of business you’re doing, you may need additional licenses and registrations.

“Florissant may require special licensure based on your profession while others require none at all,” he said. “Examples would be a plumber usually has city and county licenses while in-home care (other than health care) does not require any license at all.”

Russell said you can look to the city for help in determining which licenses you’ll need.

“You should discuss (your business) with a CPA or attorney to determine your federal and state requirements,” he added.

If you’re confused or want to ask for clarification on Florissant licenses and permits, you can contact Bob Russell by phone at 314-839-7690 or email at brussell@florissantmo.com.

In Case You Missed It

In case you’ve missed previous editions of our small business series, we have shared ideas for choosing a business concept, including the and .

We’ve also discussed and given tips and ideas on ways to find . We’ve discussed , and last week, we covered .

About the Experts

Bob Russell is the City of Florissant's ecomonic developer.

owns several locally-based businesses, including and . Both companies serve business owners in Florissant.

Chris Coleman owns St. Louis-based FranNet, a company that helps would-be business owners choose and develop franchise businesses. FranNet's clients include several Florissant area business owners, Coleman said.

Have you always dreamed of starting your own business? Subscribe to our daily newsletter so you won’t miss a single part of this ongoing series! Next week, we’ll offer tips and resources for handling your taxes as a small business owner.

Do you own your own business in Florissant? We want to share your story with the community! Contact Patch reporter Angela Atkinson at angela.atkinson@patch.com to arrange for an interview.