How do i get a business license? -

My friend and I want to open up our own business here in the bay area. Please let me know the quickest way we can get a permit/license to open a business. Thank You

It appears that neither you nor your friend have been in business before, therefore, I would strongly recommend that you talk to a business counselor before you do anything especially spend money. You have to determine whether you ll start a web based business or one with a store front. I d call the local office of SCORE (go to the link below and input your zip code to find the chapter nearest you), the advice is FREE. There are chapters in the East Bay, South Bay, North Bay and in San Francisco. The counselor at SCORE will most likely advise you to write a business plan which is very good advice because it will force you to dig out all of the start up details and the costs of starting a small business and force you to also understand all of the aspects of this business including the customers you ll concentrate on (your market) and how you ll go after them.You ll need to register the business with your state controller s office and make sure that you check to see whether any city and county licenses are needed where you live. All of this will come out in a business plan and because the cost of being in business in California varies so much depending on the legal structure, you ll certainly want advice on how to set up the business.Try linking to YCHANGE International and read some of the articles especially the ones about a business plan and starting a business.Good Luck