Start A Business In Ballard County

Looking to start a business in Ballard County, KY?  We are here to help you.  Our community is growing and the opportunities to start your own business are endless.  Below are a few key steps that you need to take in order to become and entrepreneur in Ballard County:

Step 1. Choose an Idea

Step 2. Plan Your Business

Step 3. Form Your Business With The Secretary of State

Step 4. Register for Taxes

Step 5. Open a Bank Account

Step 6. Set Up Accounting

Step 7. Obtain Permits & Licenses

Step 8. Get Insurance

The first step toward business ownership is deciding what kind of business to start. Look for an idea that suits your interests, your personal goals, and your natural abilities. This will help you stay motivated when the going gets tough and will greatly improve your odds of success.required by law to have workers compensation insurance.

Successful businesses are built through careful planning. Before committing a significant amount of money and other resources toward your business, critically analyze your idea and create a game plan. At a minimum, you should have good answers to the following questions.

Product Development

What problem does your business solve? What will set your product or service apart from the competition?

Sales & Marketing

Who are your potential customers? How will you get their attention and convert them into buyers?

People and Partnerships

What roles will you need to hire and what professional relationships will you need to form in order to succeed?

Financial Planning

How many clients or sales will you need in order to break even? How much money will it take to get there, and where will you get the funding?nk and credit card transactions, making accounting fast and easy.

Registering your company as an Kentucky business entity, such as an LLC or a Corporation, has two major advantages:

• Increased credibility
• Protection from personal liability in the event your business is sued

For most small businesses, registering an LLC is a great option. In comparison to other business entities, LLCs are easier to set up and manage and they have favorable tax treatment. You can set up an LLC in Kentucky for as little as $40.

If you choose not to register your company as a business entity, you will be held personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of your business. In addition, unregistered business owners may need to file a Trade Name, also known as a “DBA.

With limited exceptions, most businesses require a Federal EIN, also known as a Tax ID Number. An EIN is used to identify a business in its federal tax filings. Without an EIN, you can’t hire employees or open a business bank account.

You should also be aware of important Kentucky taxes that may apply to your business:

• If you are selling a physical product, you’ll typically need to register for Kentucky Sales Tax.
• If you hire employees in Kentucky, you will have to register for Unemployment Insurance Tax and Employee Withholding Tax on behalf of your employees.are required by law to have workers compensation insurance.

Using a dedicated business bank account and credit card for all business-related transactions simplifies accounting and makes your business appear more credible to customers and clients. In addition, if you have registered an LLC or corporation, use of business banking and credit accounts is essential to protect your business’ corporate veil.ers compensation insurance.

An accounting system helps you track the performance of your business and simplifies annual tax filings. Quality accounting software lets you download your bank and credit card transactions, making accounting fast and easy.

To operate your new business legally, you will need to comply with federal, state, and local government regulations. In many cases, this involves obtaining one or more business permits and/or licenses. For example, a restaurant will likely need health permits, building permits, signage permits, etc.

Business insurance helps you manage risks and focus on growing your business. The most common types of business insurance you should consider are:

• General Liability Insurance
• Workers Compensation Insurance
• Professional Liability Insurance

We recommend that all small businesses, including home based businesses, purchase a general liability policy. Businesses selling professional advice or services, such as consulting and accounting firms, should also consider a professional liability policy. In Kentucky, businesses with one or more employees, excluding business owners, are required by law to have workers compensation insurance.