BUSINESS START-UP GUIDE Brownwood, Texas
Starting or Expanding A Business in Brownwood, Texas 2021-2022
Table of Contents Preface
1
Acknowledgement
2
How This Booklet Can Help You
3
Additional Help with Initial Questions
4
Small Business Development Center
6
BeforeYou Start your Business
7
How to Organize Your Business
8
The Business Plan
10
Developing a Business Plan
11
Tips on Writing the Business Plan
13
Legal and Professional Advice
14
Surveys and Market Research
15
Financing
17
Potential Funding Resources
18
Location
19
Building Construction or Remodeling
20
Zoning Procedures
21
Permits and Licenses
22
Assumed Names
23
Labor Considerations
24
Utilities
26
Local Tax Requirements
27
Americans with Disabilities Act
28
Advertising
29
Conclusion
30
Preface The purpose of this booklet is to provide a detailed guide on how to start or expand a business in Brownwood, Texas. It is recommended this guide be used in conjunction with other sources of information and the professional advice of attorneys and a certified public accountant. The topics covered will only be a guide for some common misconceptions about the resources needed to operate a business.
Preface | 1
Acknowledgement The Brownwood Municipal Development District must give credit to those sources which provided valuable information and assistance. We would like to give special thanks to the authors of “Starting a Business in Abilene, Texas,” for the background information on this project.
Acknowledgement | 2
How This Booklet Can Help You The purpose of this booklet is to help you turn the idea for a business in Brownwood into a reality. This booklet can help you in three important ways: first, it can help you in the research process that should take place before actual plans are made; second, it can help you put that information regarding your business into a well thought-out, well-written business plan; finally, it can act as a resource for most of the steps you must follow to get your business successfully started in Brownwood. The importance of getting your business plans down on paper cannot be emphasized enough. Before assuming any binding obligation, have all your plans and information about your business organized into a written business plan. This is a valuable aid when presenting your plans to the appropriate professionals (attorney, banker, accountant). If you already own a business, you may wish to use this booklet solely as a guide to establishing a location or a branch in Brownwood. Here are a few suggested steps to using this booklet to its fullest advantage: 1. Read it through once in its entirety. 2. Do some outside research and gather as much information as possible from the resources available. Visit their website or send for any of the Small Business Administration pamphlets you desire. (See page 5 for address.) 3. As you proceed, get EVERYTHING down on paper and begin writing a welldefined business plan. 4. Consult with your banker, attorney, accountant, insurance and real estate agents about your plans.
How This Booklet Can Hep You | 3
Additional Help With Initial Questions Three of your most important outside resources will be your banker, attorney and accountant. There are also a number of other people and agencies who may be of assistance to you and your business. The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce can answer many questions about business trends and demographics of the Brownwood Area. The Brownwood Municipal Development District can be a valuable resource for starting businesses and business expansions:
Visit the online business resource guide www.BrownwoodBusiness.com Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce 600 East Depot P. 0. Box 880 Brownwood, Texas 76804-0880 (325) 646-9535 www .brownwoodchamber.org Brownwood Municipal Development District 501 Center Avenue P. 0. Box 1389 Brownwood, Texas 76804-1389 (325) 646-9600 rtipton@brownwoodtexas.gov Tarleton State University Bill Leaverton Regional Director | America’s (SBDC) (254) 968-0558 leaverton@tarleton.edu www.tsusbdc.org Free Assistance in Putting Together a Business Plan See Page 8 For More Information
Additional Help With Initial Questions | 4
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts is responsible for the administration and collection of all State Sales and Use taxes. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts P. 0. Box 13528 Capitol Station Austin, Texas 78711-3528 (800) 252-5555 or www.window.state.tx.us The Internal Revenue Service will be able to help you in all matters concerning reporting of taxes and other financial information. Internal Revenue Service 341 Pine Street Abilene, Texas 79601 (325) 676-5709 www.irs.gov (800) 829-1040 The Center for Government Contracting provides assistance to businesses interested in selling to the government. If you are interested in providing goods and services to the government, contact: Center for Government Contracting 648 East Highway 80 Abilene, Texas 79604 (325) 670-0300
Additional Help With Initial Questions | 5
Tarleton State University
Sponsored by a partnership between Tarleton State University and the US Small Business Administration, the Tarleton Small Business Development Center provides a multitude of services to our clients in Brown County and our 10 county area for starting a new business or expanding an existing business. The types of services offered include: • Confidential Counseling - A professional SBDC counselor can work with you developing a business plan for a new business or updating a business plan for an existing business. Assistance may include market research and financial analysis of projected sales or existing financial statements. • Training -Training includes such subjects as: Starting your own business, Quick Books, Marketing Strategies, Environmental Regulations, and Federal and State tax considerations. • Research- SBDC counselors have access to the National SBDC Clearing House research services and to other state and local U.S. Census demographic data for assisting clients with marketing research and site selections. • Specialty Programs - Just a few of the things we offer are: Assistance in Government Procurement, International Trade, Manufacturing and Rural Outreach. “’Our goal is to make your business successful”! There is no charge for most of the services. For more information about services we can provide your business visit our website www.tsusbdc.org, or call direct at 817-573-7681. Serving: Brown, Comanche, Erath, Hamilton, Hood, Mills, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell, Wise Counties
Small Business Development Center | 6
Before You Start Your Business Personal Qualities Before you start your business, you must spend many hours planning. You also should take a serious look at yourself. It takes a special kind of person to own and operate a business. First of all, you must have a positive attitude about yourself and the business you wish to start. You must have the ability to plan and organize. You will also need to be able to deal with the downs as well as the ups. When you start your business, you should be aware of the long hours you have to put in to be a success. This is not going to be your regular “9-to-5” job with a coffee break and an hour for lunch. Therefore, you must dearly love your work. Most crucial to your business’s success is your knowledge of the product or service you offer. When planning a business enterprise, you need to assess your own talents and interests. Even if you plan to hire people to do your work, you must know all you can in order to watchdog your business. You must be able to intelligently hire employees as well. A successful enterprise is usually started because of a deep interest in or the experience of its organizers. One of the most important elements of success in operating a small business is education or experience in the area of management. Following this self examination process, take steps to better your education or experience; you will be one jump ahead of the game from the beginning. Management Ability It is estimated that 80 percent of all businesses started in the United States eventually fail. According to Dun and Bradstreet, the “Underlying cause of failure includes incompetence, lack of business experience, neglect, fraud and disaster.” Many failures could have been prevented had the owners possessed a better understanding of the many management requirements and practices necessary to run a small business successfully. A partial list of management skills necessary to run a small business successfully is as follows: Advertising & Promotions Product Service & Maintenance Hiring Personnel Insurance Business Logistics Real Estate Law Office Machines
Cost Accounting Taxes & Insurance Technical or Trade Experience Pricing Group Dynamics Bookkeeping Business Law Productivity Marketing
Business Writing Salesmanship Personnel/Labor Relations Equal Opportunity Employment Requirements
The entrepreneur must be a self-starter, an able decision-maker, a leader, an organizer, a hard worker, trustworthy, responsible and ENERGETIC. If you are ready to accept the many risks which may be inherent in establishing a small business, then you can get down to some serious planning.
Before You Start Your Business | 7
How to Organize Your Business Your first major task in establishing a business is choosing the type of organization. There are three basic types of organizations: Sole Proprietorship, Partnership and Corporation. I. Sole Proprietorship Sole Proprietorship is the most common type of small business. The individual is the sole owner of all assets and is the employer. He bears all profits and losses himself, and is personally liable for all debts and obligations of the business. Outside assets such as home, car and personal bank account are subject to claims of business creditors. Advantages • The • The • The • The • The • The •
business is simple to organize. cost of organizing is low. owner is solely responsible for decisions. business has a minimum of legal restrictions. owner receives all the profits. profits are taxed only once.
The business is easy to discontinue.
Disadvantages • The business does not have a separate legal status. • The owner of the business has unlimited liability. • The owner is limited in raising operating funds, which may inhibit the expansion of the business. II. Partnership A partnership type of organization consists of two or more owners, with profit and loss shared equally or allocated by partnership agreement. Each partner is liable for business debts and obligations, and each partner’s outside assets may be subject to claims of creditors unless limited by partnership agreement. Advantages • A partnership is easy to organize. • A partnership can obtain more operating funds than a sole proprietorship. • A partnership combines the managerial skills and judgments of several partners. • A partnership has separate legal status. • The income is only taxable once. •
The income is taxed at the partner’s tax rate.
Disadvantages • General partners have unlimited liability. • A change in partners could terminate the partnership. • The authority for decision making is divided. • A partnership is difficult to sell or transfer.
How to Organize Your Business | 8
III. Corporation A corporate structure is a separate legal entity, allowing flexible business operations. Your attorney can probably evaluate the possibility of incorporating your business. A corporation has limited liability. A corporation is formed when a transfer of money or property, or both, takes place by the prospective shareholders in exchange for capital stock in the corporation. Advantages • The owners (stockholders) have limited liability. • The business continues to exist after the death of an owner. • The transfer of ownership is easily done by the sale of stock. • A corporation can raise larger amounts of capital more easily than sole proprietorships or partnerships Disadvantages • The corporation is subject to double taxation. • The costs to organize a corporation are higher than other forms of business. • Corporations are heavily regulated through state and local laws.
A person entering business should take sufficient time to study the merits of the type of business organization which is being contemplated. There are advantages to each type. Your accountant becomes a valuable asset in this decision. Another alternative to the usual corporate tax treatment is in the form of a sub-chapter S Corporation election. Certain enterprises qualifying for this status (thirty-five or fewer shareholders) will not be taxed, but rather individual shareholders include profit and lost on their individual income tax returns.
How to Organize Your Business | 9
The Business Plan A business plan allocates resources and measures the results of your actions, helping you set realistic goals and make logical decisions. Your business plan must be well organized. You may be wondering why you should spend time drawing up such a business plan. If you have never drawn up a plan, you are correct in wanting to hear about the possible benefits before you do the work. A business plan offers at least four benefits. You may find others as you construct your own plan. These are: 1. A plan gives you a path to follow. A plan can determine the future of your business. A plan with goals and action steps allows you to guide your business in an organized manner to achieve the results you desire. 2. A plan makes it easy to let your banker, attorney and accountant evaluate your goals and objectives. By reading the details of your plan, these professionals can gain better insight into your situation. If they are to advise you properly or lend you mortgage money and start-up capital, they will need this information. 3. A plan can be a communications tool when you need to inform sales personnel, suppliers and others about your operations and goals. 4. A plan can help you develop as a manager. It can give you practice in thinking about competitive conditions, promotional opportunities and situations advantageous to your business. Over a period of time, such practices can help increase an owner’s/manager’s ability to make sound judgments.
The Business Plan | 10
Developing a Business Plan When starting your business, one of the most important things is your business plan. Your business plan describes what business you are in, establishes your goals and how you plan to achieve them, and helps determine how much money you need to start your business. Think carefully about your business plan. A good business plan contains the following elements: Executive Summary - In the summary, clearly and precisely define: 1. your business. 2. the product you manufacture or the service you provide. 3. the industry and its overall condition. 4. information about yourself, your qualifications and your experience. Goals - List and detail your long and short-term goals for production, sales and finance. In addition, describe the way you want the public to think about your company and the image you want to project. Product or Service - If you are manufacturing a product, describe it in detail. Include photographs or diagrams of your product. Creditors and investors want to see what you will be producing. If you are providing a service, describe it in detail. Provide results of all research and testing that was completed on the product or service. This will demonstrate that it is safe and reliable. Executive Summary - Identify your target market; the group of consumers who will be buying your product or service. your business. 1. Establish that the target market has enough money to buy your product or service. 2. Demonstrate that you can reach and influence the target market. 3. Describe your plans for advertising. 4. Show distribution plans of the product or service to the consumer. 5. Establish a pricing strategy and compare prices with competitors. 6. List long- and short-term sales targets. Identify potential major accounts. Operating Strategy - Describe your organization. Enclose an organizational chart that lists all job titles. Describe the location of your facility and the activities that will take place there. List the equipment to be purchased. List suppliers and their ability to deliver goods when you need them.
Developing a Business Plan | 11
Financial Strategy - To develop your financial strategy: 1. Include current and projected financial statements. 2. List your costs to start the business. 3. Describe the sources of funds. How much will you invest, how much others will invest, how much will you borrow. Creditors and investors pay particular attention to the amount of money the business owner invests. They see a connection between the success of the business and the amount of money the owner invests. 4. Indicate how you will use the funds during the start-up period. 5. Show in dollars and time when your business will break even. Break even is the point at which you have covered all your expenses and are not making a profit or taking a loss. 6. List and explain your significant debt. Also, list and explain significant amounts of money owed to you. 7. Compare your costs to the costs of your competitors. Conclusion - Summarize your business plan with a short conclusion and emphasize the things you want the reader to remember. If you have done a thorough job preparing your business plan, it will help you organize and run your business, attract investors, and help you obtain financing.
Developing a Business Plan | 12
Tips on Writing the Business Plan 1. Do your research first. Gather all facts before starting to write. 2. First write the projected cash flow, income statements and balance sheet. 3. Write the Executive Summary last. 4. Compose each major topic as a separate chapter. If you need to make revisions or expand a chapter later, the entire plan will not have to be retyped, just a chapter. 5. Resumes or lengthy support data may be placed at the end of the plan under Exhibits. 6. Any exhibits should be referenced in the body of the plan. Clearly label and number each exhibit. 7. Show page numbers on each page of the plan. 8. Before finalizing your plan, have it reviewed and critiqued by your attorney, accountant, banker, etc. Make any necessary changes. 9. After typing the final version of your plan, proofread it very carefully. One decimal point can make a difference. 10. Bind your plan in a high quality folder. Make it look professional. 11. Keep a log of who received a copy, the date and any specific comments made.
Tips on Writing the Business Plan | 13
Legal and Professional Advice Do not fall into the trap of trying to save money by setting up your business without professional advice. The fees you.pay in the beginning may be less than what you would have to pay to get out of legal tangles that only your lawyer or accountant could have foreseen. You should present your business plan to your lawyer and your accountant in the early stages of forming your business.
Legal and Professional Advice | 14
Surveys and Market Research Before going into business, you need to be sure there is a market for whatever goods or services you plan to provide. Then you should choose a target group - your desired consumers. From this point on, you must do everything ( from choosing a location to the type of advertising) with your target group in mind. Market research tells you about the market and its preferences, opinions, habits, trends and plans. It also tells where the market is, its geography, its demographics and information about the psychology of the market and the market place. The information you get from such research can help you make very important decisions affecting your business. It is essential for a small business to have accurate, current consumer information. A small business owner does not usually have large amounts of money to gamble on the wrong move or decisions regarding his business. Since market research is primarily information gathered about your industry, there are a number of resources available. They include: 1. Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce - a good resource for providing information about the business community. It’s also an excellent networking organization within the business community. 2. Small Business Development Center - can provide information and help with business plans. 3. Brownwood Public Library - a good source for reference material. Look in the Directory of Associations to find what trade associations there are for your type of business. This book will give the address and phone number of the association and a list of their publications. 4. Potential Consumers - simply ask potential consumers questions concerning their wants and needs. 5. Wholesalers and Manufacturers - a good source of information about a particular market, its customers and competition. Wholesalers, manufacturers and retailers generally know the trends in their business. 6. Federal and State Governments - the U. S. Department of Commerce and the Texas Department of Commerce can provide you with pertinent information.
Surveys and Market Research | 15
7. Trade Associations - the trade associations which serve a particular industry are wonderful sources of information about your industry or market. 8. BrownwoodBusiness.com - An online business resource that offers demographic and community information, area maps, property listings, business start-up guide, and much more. 9. Business Publications - every industry has websites, magazines, newsletters or pamphlets written exclusively for and about them. 10. Media Representatives - the advertising salespeople who represent websites, magazines, newspapers, radio and television are usually excellent sources for market information. 11. Competitors - learn by going to your competition and asking for information, advice and help. If you feel uncomfortable about going directly, try contacting a business owner located 100 miles away. Surveys are an essential part of market research. The object of a survey is to gather information from a group of individuals or businesses on a specific subject. There are basically four types of interviews: personal interview, telephone interview, mail interview, and focus groups or group interviews.
Surveys and Market Research | 16
Financing It is common knowledge it takes capital to start and run a business. What you may not be aware of is exactly how much is needed or where you can obtain the necessary funds. The easiest way to fail is to be under financed. As a safeguard, you should line up your maximum credit limit; then, if you need it, it will be there. You should plan your financing very carefully to ensure success. You must have a realistic overall view of your start-up costs. You also need to allow enough money for you and your family to live on anywhere from three months to a year depending on the nature of your business. The best person to help you with this planning is your banker. Take great care in choosing a bank and a banker. A strong relationship with a bank from the very beginning will be one of your most valuable assets. Your banker will have a good working knowledge of the economic and business picture in the community. He may be able to draw on his experience to give you information on area business trends, marketability of your product or service, and provide sound practical advice for beginning your business. Once your business is in operation, your banker can provide continuing service and advice on such matters as retirement plans, accounts receivable, financing, expansion financing, loans and trusts. A banker can assist you with obtaining the funds needed for your business. There is usually a limit, however, to the amount of money a bank will loan a prospective business person. Most banks would prefer to see a personal investment of one-quarter to onehalf of the money needed before approving the remainder of a loan. If you do not have this much available money, do not be discouraged. Some programs through the Small Business Administration Loan Program might be available to you. Other financial assistance for start-up and expanding business can be obtained through the Brownwood Economic Development Corporation and the Brownwood Industrial Foundation, Inc. Before you meet with your banker to discuss financing, it is important that you have a good written business plan. This should include information concerning your personal background, including education and training; work experience, special skills, personal financial records, real estate owned, references, and projected income and balance sheet. See page 13 for more info and assistance on writing a business plan.
Financing | 17
Potential Funding Resources Brownwood Municipal Development District City of Brownwood 501 Center Avenue P. 0. Box 1389 Brownwood, Texas 76804-1389 (325) 646-6751 www.BrownwoodBusiness.com Brownwood Industrial Foundation, Inc. 600 East Depot P. 0. Box 880 Brownwood, Texas 76804 (325) 646-9535 www.BrownwoodBusiness.com USDA Rural Development 2608 Hwy 377S Brownwood, Texas 76801 (325) 643-1585 www.rurdev.usda.gov U.S. Small Business Administration’s 504 commercial mortgage program (See next page for details) Texas Department of Agriculture P.O. Box 12847 Austin, TX 78711 (512) 936-0273 www.TexasAgriculture.gov Office of the Governor Texas Bank for Economic Development P.O. Box 12428 Austin, TX 78711 (512) 936-0100 www.TexasWideOpenForBusiness.com
Potential Funding Resources | 18
Location In Brownwood, there is a wide range of locations from which to choose. When you choose your location, you must consider such things as the proximity to your market and home, accessibility, traffic volume, parking, rent and appearance. If you plan to work with a real estate agency in finding a location, you should consider the following in order to save you and your agent time: • • • • • •
What square footage will your business need? What is your monthly budget going to allow for rent and utilities? What kind of exposure does your business need? Will you attract customers off the street, by phone or other means? What kind of storage does your business need? Term of lease - will you want the option of renewing your lease at the end of the term? Lease inducements by the building owner such as free rent or reduced rent for an initial period.
When you find the location you are interested in: • • •
Will the utility supply be adequate for your business? Are the taxes and utilities included in the rent? Are maintenance and common area maintenance included in the monthly rent?
For a list of possible commercial and industrial locations, visit the Property section of BrownwoodBusiness.com.
Location | 19
Building Construction or Remodeling All building construction is regulated by the Development Services Office at City Hall. If you are building a new building or remodeling an existing structure, you need to have your plans approved by the Development Services Office. If your plan meets the building and fire code requirements, you will be issued a building permit to begin construction. As many as twenty different inspections may be required during the various phases of construction. These inspections will be scheduled by your contractor through the Development Services Office. Upon completion of construction and final approval by the Development Services Office, you will be issued a Certificate of Occupancy. Development Services Office City of Brownwood 501 Center A venue P. 0. Box 1389 Brownwood, Texas 76804-1389 (325) 646-5331
Building Construction or Remodeling | 20
Zoning Procedures Zoning is the legal and administrative process that establishes land use in a community. Your first step, before committing yourself to any property, should be to check the zoning. Zoning information on all property in the City may be obtained from the Development Services Department. Each piece of property is assigned a specific zoning classification and only certain types of land use are allowed in each classification. Business uses are usually not allowed in residential classifications. Some business uses are not allowed in commercial or industrial classifications. You must satisfy the zoning requirement before your business will be permitted to operate. If the property site you have selected is not zoned for your type of business, you may want to attempt a zoning change. Development Services Office City of Brownwood 501 Center A venue P. 0. Box 1389 Brownwood, Texas 76804-1389 (325) 646-5331
Zoning Procedures | 21
Permits and Licenses Certificate of Occupancy If you are starting a business in an existing building, you will need a Certificate of Occupancy. Assuming the business complies with zoning requirements, the Certificate of Occupancy is needed to show that the building meets the City’s code requirements. You may apply for the Certification of Occupancy at the City Development Service Office. Representatives from the Inspection Office and Fire Marshal’s office will inspect the building to ensure it complies with the appropriate codes. Some building modifications may be required, especially if your business represents a different type of land use than the previous occupant. If your business is a food handling establishment, the City Health Department will also have to approve the building. It is illegal to occupy a building without a Certificate of Occupancy. Please stop by Brownwood City Hall to apply for the Certificate of Occupancy, review requirements and arrange for the required inspections or contact the Code Enforcement Office at 325-646-5331 for more information. Health Permit If you plan to operate a food handling establishment, you will need to obtain a food handler’s permit. Application for this permit may be made at the: Brownwood/Brown County Health Department 110 E. Lee Brownwood, Texas 76801 (325) 646-0554
Permits and Licenses | 22
Assumed Names If you are going to do business under any name other than your real name, you must go to the office of the Brown County Clerk. There you will check the records to be sure that no one else in Brown County is using the name you want to use. You will then fill out an application to record your business’s assumed name and pay a filing fee. Note: Most sole proprietorships operate under assumed names. Unless your business name includes your full name and describes your business completely, you will need to register with the County Clerk. For example: John P. Jones Lawn Mowing service is not an assumed name. Jones Enterprises, John Jones Company, Lawnco, Mowers’R Us, etc. are all assumed names. Brown County Clerk Brown County Courthouse 200 South Broadway Brownwood, Texas 76801 (325) 643-2594
Assumed Names | 23
Labor Considerations The Fair Labor Standards Act requires employers to maintain records on wages, hours and other items. The Department of Labor and Standards, Labor Law Division, is responsible for the administration and enforcement of labor laws and the prosecution of offenders. Information regarding labor laws may be obtained from: U. S. Department of Labor 525 Griffin Square, Suite 80 Dallas, Texas 75202-5007 800-321-6742 or (214) 767-6895 www.dol.gov State Unemployment Insurance The State Unemployment Insurance Tax is paid by firms that employ one or more individuals during a portion of a day in each of 20 different weeks in a calendar year, or if they pay $1,500 or more in wages in a calendar quarter. The Texas Workforce Commission is the agency charged with collecting the unemployment insurance tax and with paying unemployment benefits to individuals who qualify. To acquire a Texas Workforce Commission Identification number, employers must submit Form C-1 Texas Workforce Commission Status Report. The tax must be submitted quarterly on Form C-3/C-4. The tax number assigned by the Texas Workforce Commission will be used on all quarterly returns. It will also be used on the Federal Tax Return 940 in order to show that you have paid the state tax. For information or free pamphlets, contact: Texas Workforce Commission 2202 Highway 377 South Brownwood, Texas 76801 (325) 646-1591 http://www. twc.state. tx. us/ Work in Texas The Texas Workforce Commission offers free job listings in their Work in Texas program. Employers can post job listings for free and those looking for work can access the free database for employment opportunities in their area. Visit WorklnTexas.com for their job search section.
Labor Considerations | 24
Skills for Small Business Program The Texas Workforce Commission Skills for Small Business program responds to the needs of more than 433,000 small businesses that have fewer than 100 employees. Training through the program increases business competitiveness, upgrades the skills of current employees and prepares newly hired employees for job requirements. The program offers training for full time employees; up to $1450 for tuition and fees per new hire; up to $725 for tuition and fees per incumbent employee; and training selected from courses offered by a Texas public community or technical college or the Texas Engineering Extension Service. For more information about the program, visit http://ssb.texasworkforce.org Work in Texas The Texas Industrial Accident Board is responsible for administering workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation is not mandatory in Texas, but you should seriously consider carrying such a policy. Workers’ compensation coverage is available through private insurance companies. The State Board on Insurance, which regulates all insurance rates, keeps a list of insurance companies qualified to write such policies. If you decide to carry workers’ compensation insurance, you must notify the Industrial Accident Board. Additional information may be obtained from the following agencies. Texas Department of Insurance Workers’ Compensation Section 333 Guadalupe P. 0. Box 149104 Austin, Texas 78714-9104 (800) 578-4677 - General Information www.tdi.state.tx.us
Labor Considerations | 25
Utilities It is important to plan ahead for all the details involved in opening the doors of your business. Utilities should not be overlooked. The information below gives some guidelines to follow when working with the various utility companies. Electric Service Contact a retail electric provider in advance for electric service for existing buildings. Visit PowertoChoose.org for a complete list of providers. If you are constructing a new plant, contact Oncor Electric Delivery during the planning stages of construction through the 800 number or the main local office. A deposit is required if you do not have a previous business credit. Oncor Electric Delivery (888) 313-6862 Gas Service If you are in a building that had prior gas service, contact Atmos Energy prior to the day you need gas. If you are in a building that has never had gas service or in the planning stages of construction, contact Atmos Energy after determining the necessary need and location for gas. Atmos Energy Brownwood, Texas 76804-1269 (888) 286-6700 Water Sewer and Sanitation Service For water service, contact the Water Department at the City of Brownwood. A deposit is required on every water meter before water service can be turned on. City of Brownwood 501 Center Avenue or P. 0. Box 1389 Brownwood, Texas 76804-1389 (325) 646-5775 Internet Service Harris Broadband (telephone/internet) - (325) 646-9493 www.harrisbb.com Frontier Communications (telephone/internet) - 1-800-921-8101 Echo Wireless Broadband (internet) - 1-800-643-3246 West Central Wireless (internet) - 325-646-0972
Utilities | 26
Local Tax Requirements In Brownwood, real property is taxed by the City of Brownwood, Brown County and Brownwood Independent School District. Tax values are determined annually by the Brown County Appraisal District 325-6435676. Each taxing unit then sets its own tax rate. Tax statements are usually sent out in October and taxes are due by January 31st. For current tax information, tax rates, and tax roll database, visit http://www.brown cad.org/ Industrial District Agreement Industries located outside of the city limits may be required to have an Industrial District Agreement with the City of Brownwood for services such as water, sewer, fire and police protection. Contact the BEDC Director or City Attorney for more information.
Local Tax Requirements | 27
Americans with Disabilities Act The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the ADA) has five sections or Titles that may affect your business. The first four titles set out specific standards for nondiscrimination and equal opportunity in four key areas. Title V includes several administrative and miscellaneous provisions. Titles I through IV are briefly summarized below. Title I.
Discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities is prohibited in all aspects of employment including hiring, advancement, discharge, employee compensation and job training.
Title II.
Discrimination against persons with disabilities is prohibited in all services, programs, or activities provided by public entities. A substantial part of Title II addresses transportation provided by public entities.
Title III. Affects three sets of activities that are pertinent to the built environment: ”Readily achievable” removal of barriers; alteration to all existing buildings must be readily accessible and usable to the maximum extent feasible; any new building or facility occupied after January 26, 1993, must adhere to the new construction of ADA. Title IV. The nation’s telephone companies are required to begin offering telecommunications relay services for individuals with hearing impairments or speech impairments.
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Advertising Advertising is essential for most businesses, especially when first opening. However, the advertising must relate to the type of business. How much exposure and advertising you need depends on how your business attracts customers. Advertising can be anything from a newspaper ad to a flyer or even a Facebook page. Just as in any other step, advertising must be well planned. It is easy to go overboard on your advertising expenditures. We suggest you read SBA or trade publications on advertising or attend a short course at a local college or university. Spend the right amount for advertising: too much is an extravagance, and too little is dangerous. Be strict with your budget and tie costs to results. To do this, track your advertising’s effectiveness. There are five basic steps in planning an advertising budget: 1. Decide what you want to sell. 2. Determine the target audience. 3. Determine why this group buys what you sell. 4. Select the best communication media to reach your target audience. 5. Complete a media plan. Assign dollar amounts to the media you have chosen.
Advertising | 29
Conclusion: What Are The Chances For Success? To strengthen your business position in the community, you should consider joining the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce and other civic groups that interest you. A Chamber of Commerce membership will offer your business many benefits such as: • • • • • • •
Free exposure to thousands of potential customers in the Membership Directory/Buyers Guide. Business After Hours and Membership mixers which enable members to make valuable business contacts in an informal setting. The opportunity for business referrals. A weekly newsletter with information on events and business prospects. Your membership investment may be deductible as a business expense. A voice in local, state and national public affairs. The Chamber can assist with the opening of your business, i.e., ground breaking and ribbon cuttings.
Starting your own business is hard work; hard work that is laced with determination and a bit of luck. The more research, planning, management talent and knowledge that goes into your business venture, the greater your chance for success. After reading this booklet, you should have a better idea of what it takes to start a business. Not only do you have to understand state and federal regulations, you must realize the hours of planning and research that takes place before opening your business. On top of all that, you must have the personal qualities and knowledge required to own and operate a business. Hopefully, you have that winning combination that will lead you to success.
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