Start-Up Workshop: About once a month, the Napa-Sonoma Small Business Development Center holds a 3-hour “Business Start-Up Orientation” in our area. Click here to find the next workshop on their calendar.

Choosing a Business Structure: When starting a business, one of the decisions you’ll make is which form of business entity to establish. The local chapter of SCORE has resources on business formation and mentors who can review options with you.

Your Business Location: Before your sign a lease, be sure to find out about zoning, permits, signage, and other issues related to the location of your business. Information about permits, searchable by type of business, can be found on the State’s CalGold website.

Fictitious Business Name: If you plan to use a fictitious business name (something other than your personal legal name), contact the Napa County Clerk at 1127 1st St Suite A, Napa, or by calling (707) 253-4105. The County Clerk’s staff will also be able to provide you with a Fictitious Business Name Statement form.

Seller’s Permit: If your business involves selling or leasing merchandise, you will need a Resale Number from the State Board of Equalization. Click here for FAQs. You may be able to register online with eReg. You can also contact the State Board’s regional office in Fairfield at (707) 427-4800.

Alcohol Sales: Alcohol sales require special permitting. First check with the Planning Department (if you are locating in the town limits) or Planning Building & Environmental Services (in the unincorporated area) to determine if the zone your site is in allows alcohol sales. Then, contact the State’s Alcohol Beverage Control Board to apply for a license.

Federal and State Identification Numbers: If this is the first time you’ve hired an employee, you may want to meet with your tax specialist to understand your responsibilities as an employer. If you are planning to employ one or more persons, you must apply for a State Employer’s Identification Number; information is available from the State’s Employment Development Department. You can get your Federal Identification Number at the IRS website .

Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.

• Small Business Administration (sba.gov)
• Trade tools for international sales (sba.gov)
• Office of International Trade (sba.gov)

SBA – What we Do

• Loans (sba.gov) SBA-guaranteed business loans
• Small Business Administration (sba.gov)  Federal government contracting
• Disaster assistance (sba.gov)  Home & business disaster loans
• Resource Partners (sba.gov) Free business counseling

• North Coast | SCORE  Serving Napa County
• Solano-Napa SBDC – Northern California Region (solanonapasbdc.org)  Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
• NorCal VBOC – Empowering Veteran Entrepreneurship  Veteran Business Outreach Center (VBOC)
• Find a California Women’s Business Center Near You | Location Finder (californiawbc.org)  Women’s Business Center (WBC)

Business Workshops

Small business workshops are offered regionally by the Solano-Napa Small Business Development Center, North Coast SCORE, and others.  A wide variety of self-paced online classes and webinars are also available. Visit each site for full schedules.

Advisory services for new and existing businesses

Free one-on-one advisory services for business start-ups are available through the mentors of the North Coast chapter of SCORE.  SCORE volunteers hold appointments locally; you can sign up online.

The professional and experienced business advisors of the Solano-Napa Small Business Development Center consult with both new and existing businesses at no charge, and can problem-solve with you on business planning, marketing, hiring staff, control of cash flow, inventory, pricing and much more.  Business advisors with various specialties (e.g. marketing, information technology, restaurants), are available. Some advisors are bilingual. If you’re a launching a new business, it’s best to first attend their New Business Start-Up Orientation workshop.  Learn more about the SBDC team and click on “sign up for services” to get started.

Chamber members:  Post a job or look for local employment opportunities through the Yountville Chamber’s Job Board.