When the company CheckUps was contracted by Wal-Mart (WMT Quote - Cramer on WMT - Stock Picks) to open up in-store health clinics to provide minor medical services last year, it had several new and unique permit hurdles to clear. Even companies that devote entire departments devoted to licensing are not always fully aware of the requirements.
The Gas Station
Companies such as Wal-Mart, Teavana and hundreds of small business are not ashamed to find assistance at
Business Licenses, a company specializing in navigating the licensing maze.
Since the business' inception in 2004, President David Polatseck has helped horse breeders, clothes designers and food vendors in over 19,000 different licensing jurisdictions.
The biggest issue, says Polatseck, is that people just have no idea what they need out of a slew of licenses issued out of different departments nationwide. "In City Hall they might get an answer about business licenses but not health department licenses," he points out. "A lot of people just don't want to deal with the government," not to mention the often shifting tax rates.
Business Licenses provides that central nexus and will even do your paperwork for you. "Most [businesses] have their hands up, saying 'help,'" Polatseck says.
For the license-weary, the company offers an online database of 50,000 license applications. Customers can fill out all necessary applications, starting at $20 apiece, and submit online. A Business Licenses expert will then review each application and point out any potentially detrimental omissions.
With the more advanced business compliance package ($75), a researcher will analyze your business and send you all the licenses, permits and tax-regulation applications, including necessary contact information, leaving you to fill them out and send a check.
Annika Mengisen
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