Starting a Business

If you already know the basic information for your business (name, type of legal structure, type of business), you customize your entrepreneurial journey by visiting Epicenter’s SmartStartMem wizard that will give you a checklist to get started.

If you are starting from square one, you can follow along using these steps:

Draft Business Plan

There’s no right or wrong way to write a business plan. What’s important is that your plan meets your needs. This written guide from the SBA will help you map out how to start and run your business successfully.

Get Training

There are plenty of free training and counseling services to help you start and grow your business. The Memphis Public Library and the Memphis Office of Business Diversity and Compliance also have a trove of resources and hold free seminars, many virtual.

• • Memphis Public Libraries Small Business Resources
  • Entrepreneurs Network Center
  • Emerge Memphis
  • Epicenter Memphis
  Step Three Step Three

  Determine the Legal Structure of Your Business

  Decide which form of ownership is best for you: sole proprietorship, partnership, Limited Liability Company (LLC), corporation, S corporation, nonprofit or cooperative.

  • SBA’s: “Choose Your Business Structure”
  • Entrepreneur Magazine: “Choose Your Business Structure”

  Select a Business Location

  Learn how to select a customer-friendly location and comply with zoning rules,

  Finance Your Business

  Find government-backed loans, grants and other funding mechanisms to help get started.

  • SBA’s Loans & Grants Search Tool
  • Community Quick Links from the Business Enterprise Resource Office
    

  Register your Business Name

  Register your business name with the State of Tennessee, but first, check that no one else has trademarked that name.

  • Check the United States Patent and Trademark Office to ensure the business name you selected isn’t already being used
  • Tennessee Office of the Secretary of State
  Step Seven Step Seven

  Get a Tax Identification Number

  Learn which tax identification number you’ll need to obtain from the IRS and your state revenue agency.

  • Internal Revenue Service – Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online
  Step Eight Step Eight

  Register for State and Local Taxes

  Register with your state to obtain a tax identification number, workers’ compensation, unemployment and disability insurance. Shelby County (situs code 7900) and Memphis (situs code 7901) have a business tax.

  • Download and review the Tennessee Business Tax Manual
  • Learn more about Tennessee Business Tax
  • Find out about hiring incentives, unemployment insurance tax and more
    

  Obtain Business Licenses and Permits

  • Licenses and permits required for your business, plus how to register as a Small, Minority or Woman owned enterprise in Memphis.
    • Professional licenses
    • Regulatory permits and licenses
    • Applying for an alcohol license
    • Transient Vendor License
    • Short-term Rental License
    • Certification with the City

    Understand Employer Responsibilities

    Call 311 for a service request

    Call 211 for community services

    901-636-6500

    ADA Services

    Civil Rights Title VI

    

    Stay Connected

    City Pass is a free program that grants Memphis residents access to all programs and special events at City of
    Memphis community centers, senior centers, aquatics centers and free admission to the Memphis Zoo on Tuesdays.
    To get your City Pass card, create a profile account with Memphis Parks and visit one of the two locations that print
    physical cards.
    City Pass cards are available beginning: Tuesday September 3, 2024

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