Licensing Is a Slobbery Beast Best Tamed by a Pro

It has reduced one entrepreneur I spoke with to tears, confounded others and made almost all, even established corporations, cringe in distaste. To many, it's the scourge they have to battle before their business can kick off.

What is it? Licensing.

And each industry and business is unique, so there's no surefire way to beat the beast.

Nobody likes to bite the bullet and ask for directions. If you choose to go it alone, organizations such as the Small Business Administration list where to obtain a business license by state. Microsoft's (MSFT Quote) Small Business Center also offers advice such as having all your paperwork ready at a moment's notice. ...