MINDING YOUR BUSINESS
Resources for Small Businesses
Minding your Business, Resources for Small Businesses is designed to help you start, sustain and grow your business. Take advantage of services and plans that will help you face challenges, meet goals and be profitable.
LAUNCH YOUR BUSINESS
Launching a business can be overwhelming but having the right guidance and resources can make the process less difficult. If you are looking to start a business in the District of Columbia, then you are in the right place. Here are some resources to get you started!
Choose Your Business Structure and Name:
Decide on the legal structure of your business (e.g., LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship). Choose a name for your business and consider whether you need a trade name. Register your business name with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) if you are using a trade name.
Register with DLCP:
For LLCs or corporations, file the Articles of Organization or Articles of Incorporation.
Appoint a DC-registered agent and register your business entity with the DLCP.
Obtain a Basic Business License:
Apply for a Basic Business License with DLCP. Meet the requirements for your specific license, which may include obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy or a Home Occupation Permit.
Register with the DC Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR):
Register your business with the OTR using Form FR-500. Ensure you have your Employer Identification Number (EIN), Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and/or Social Security Number (SSN) ready.
Additional Steps You May Need:
If applicable, register for withholding tax and unemployment insurance tax.
If required, obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS and open a business bank account. For specific guidance on DC’s business licensing requirements, you can visit the DC Business Portal. For additional information on writing business plans or engagement opportunities, the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection Resource Center (DLCP) is a great resource. The DC Office of Tax and Revenue website provides tax information as well as the requirements for obtaining a Clean Hands Certificate.
Is your business eligible for a CBE Certification?
A Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) is a for-profit business headquartered in the District of Columbia and certified by the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). Businesses with CBE certification receive preferred procurement and contracting opportunities. The District directs spending to these DC-based businesses that support and contribute to job creation and the city tax base, resulting in a strong local economy.
INSURE YOUR BUSINESS
Focusing on the more important aspects of insurance coverage, types costs and needs can provide a strong basis for helping to make better insurance choices. Your business is unique, and several factors can influence the choices you make. In this section, you can find several resources to help you understand how to protect your business and your assets from unexpected loss, as well as courses of action to address problems.
The Small Business Insurance Guide
The Small Business Insurance Guide provides comprehensive information on insurance types, definitions and common types of small businesses and their coverage needs.
How can I learn about health insurance enrollment for my employees?
If your business has between 1-50 employees, you can enroll your employees anytime.
How to file a business insurance claim:
A thorough understanding of the process, including required documentation, deadlines, and potential issues, can help you navigate the complexities of the claim process and increase your chances of a successful resolution. Find more information here.
How to file a business insurance complaint or report business insurance fraud:
File a complaint: There are several ways to file a complaint with our Consumer Protection Division. You can use the online form located on the DISB website. You can request a form or assistance by calling 202.727.8000, or you can submit a completed form by mail, fax, email or hand-delivery. Learn more about the filing procedure here.
How to report fraud: There are several District and federal civil and criminal law enforcement authorities to whom you can report suspected fraud. Find out where to report fraud according to the type of act involved here.
FUND YOUR BUSINESS
Funding a business can be achieved through grants, loans, crowd funding, fundraising events, and self-funding.
The District of Columbia Business Capital Program (DC BizCAP) provides critical capital through three programs that provide alternatives to traditional commercial financing to facilitate private lending and investments in District small businesses.
District Government Funding Assistance Programs
The Obviously DC - Business Funding Opportunities Program has various existing and new grant program and procurement opportunities for DC businesses. The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) provides various grant and funding opportunities for businesses in Washington, D.C. through programs like the Great Streets Retail Grant, the Locally Made Manufacturing Grant, and the Emerging Retail Initiative. The DC Venture Capital Fund, a $26 million program, supports pre-seed and early-stage tech companies, with a focus on businesses led by underrepresented founders.
DOEE Commercial Green Incentives – The Department of Environment and Energy offers multiple ways to green your commercial property and make your business more sustainable. We can help you save money and the environment. Your business can learn about financing solutions for energy efficiency improvements, other smart incentives and grants and other funding sources.
Great Streets Small Business Retail Grant and Neighborhood Prosperity Fund (PF) administered through The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) helps support existing small businesses by providing information and grant program opportunities. Explore more incentives designed to grow your business by visiting DMPED.
Federal Funding Assistance Programs
The Collateral Support Program (CSP) is part of the DC BizCAP Program, which is funded by the U.S. Treasury State Small Business Credit Initiative. This program is structured to provide capital to DC’s small business owners and entrepreneurs who continue to encounter reductions in the availability of credit and heightened requirements to obtain financing.
The Loan Participation Program (LPP) is also part of DC BizCAP. DC BizCAP’s Loan Participation Program requires DISB to purchase a portion of loans made by participating lenders, increasing the capital available to small businesses.
The Innovation Finance Program (IFP) is part of DC BizCAP and offers alternative financing options for startups and emerging companies, including co-investments with Innovation Finance Companies or investments as a limited partner.
Learn more about funding opportunities through DISB:
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps small businesses get funding by setting guidelines for loans and reducing lender risk. SBA also provides grants for manufacturing business endeavors, research, and development, and offers grants to community organizations that promote entrepreneurship. SBA does not provide grants for starting and expanding a business. Learn about SBA grants and loans here.
The America’s SEED Fund is about federal innovation, scientific achievement, and entrepreneurship through small business innovation and research. Through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, America’s Seed Fund awards non-dilutive funding to develop your technology and chart a path toward commercialization.
The Small Business Accelerator Program is a structured program designed to help established startups achieve rapid growth and success. These programs typically provide mentorship, funding, and essential resources to accelerate the development of a business.
The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) is a $10 billion program to support small businesses and entrepreneurship in communities across the U.S. by providing capital and technical assistance to promote small business stability, growth and success. SSBCI represents a transformational investment in American small businesses.
FORTIFY YOUR BUSINESS
Business mishaps and disasters can occur along the entrepreneurial journey, but companies can minimize the negative impact of these events and enhance business resiliency. In addition to natural disaster preparation, small businesses should also be well prepped for a range of potential challenges and disruptions. In this section you can find toolkits to prepare your business before, during and after a disaster.
What a small business needs to do in time of a natural disaster.
Successful businesses know what is needed to protect and preserve property when damage may occur from weather, an accident, civil unrest, or similar events. DISB wants to make sure that all businesses (start-ups, small and medium-sized) know about insurance coverage that protects or preserves property before a loss occurs. Below are some helpful links.
The Small Business Readiness for Resiliency Program (SBRRP) is a program offered by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation where they aim to help businesses and communities prepare for and recover from disasters. Additionally, part of their mission is to deploy solutions to challenges facing small businesses and communities. SBRRP offers a Disaster Resistant Business Tool Kit to help small businesses navigate disasters.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s key role is to coordinate the federal response to disasters, including assisting individuals, state, local governments, and nonprofits. They help with disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts. In addition to this, FEMA provides educational materials and preparedness guides.
Ready offers business toolkits for various hazards, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and power outages.
The Small Business Administration (SBA): Offers resources for disaster relief and recovery.
DISB Business Owner Guide: Property Protection—Offers insurance insights for business owners.
Small businesses should also be well prepared for a range of potential challenges and disruptions. Here are a few resources that provide additional information.
What about selling, transferring, and closing or filing for bankruptcy?
Is Your Business Ready For A climate-related disaster?
Have you ever thought about some of the major challenges and disruptions other small businesses face? Here is a useful resource that may provide more information on how to plan for the inevitable mishaps of running a small business.
If you have resources that would be helpful to include on this site, please send your recommendations to mailto:[email protected].