In recent years, Adams Street has proven to be a great street to own and operate a business.

If you're thinking about starting or growing a business on Adams Street, this guide is the perfect place to start. Take a look around and if you have additional questions, we're here to help. Feel free to contact us through our contact page and we'll work with you any way we can. 

 

Toledo regional chamber of commerce

The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce is an outstanding resource and their Small Business Development Center is a must for anyone looking to start or grow a business. They have a huge amount of information available and much of the outline and links below came from their website. Here are some business development services they have available to members and non-members. 

 

Small business development center

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers assistance to entrepreneurs in all stages of the business lifecycle, whether they are beginning their business endeavor or are looking to grow their existing operation. The SBDC provides free one-on-one counseling centered around the business planning process, including financing, market research, marketing strategies, and management and cash flow analysis. Chamber membership is not required to utilize these services.

For more information on the SBDC, contact Bill Weasel, Vice President Business Development Services at (419) 243-8191, ext. 224 or e-mail: bill.wersell@toledochamber.com.

 

Manufacturing & Technology SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Through the Manufacturing and Technology SBDC (MTSBDC), manufacturing and technology specialists provide businesses with one-on-one counseling to assist in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies and advanced manufacturing. Manufacturers with less than 50 employees receive management counseling and education services in the following areas:

  • Lean manufacturing
  • Intellectual property issues and marketing
  • New product development and commercialization strategies
  • Strategic and business planning
  • Business process improvement
  • Basics of patenting, trademarks, and copyrights
  • Technology marketing
  • Licensing basics and strategy

For more information, please contact Charlie Chambers, MTSBDC Director at (419) 243-8191 ext. 251 or e-mail charlie.chambers@toledochamber.com.

 

Minority Business Assistance Center

The Minority Business Assistance Center is a statewide business assistance program that provides entrepreneurs with business counseling, management, and technical services.  The services they provide are:

  • Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Business Plan Development
  • Certification
  • Loan and Bond Packaging
  • Capital Development
  • Construction Contracting
  • Contract Procurement
  • Strategic Management Processes

For more information, please contact David Wood, MBAC Director at (419) 243-8191 ext. 223 or e-mail erik.johnson@toledochamber.com.

 

 

Starting a Business 

 

state-wide information

Ohio’s 1st Stop Business Connection is the easiest way to learn about starting a business in Ohio. It provides free state-level information needed to get started or continue on your entrepreneurial journey and a simple four step process to get you started.

  1. Download Starting Your Business in Ohio, Part 1 for guidance on registering your business in Ohio.
  2. Download Starting Your Business in Ohio, Part 2: Business Financing Opportunities to help you plan your business finances.
  3. Review the list in Step 3 at Ohio's 1st Stop Business Connection website to see if a checklist is available for the specific type of business you're opening.
  4. After reviewing these documents, contact the Toledo Region Chamber of Commerce's SBDC, who offers one-on-one, confidential, and no-cost counseling to help with your business needs.

 

Toledo Chamber's Start-Up & Building Your Business Plan guide

The Toledo Chamber has created a very helpful Start-Up & Building Your Business Plan Guide that covers steps to starting a business, including the following: 

  • Name Registration
  • Licensing
  • Sales Tax Issues
  • Zoning
  • Healthy Department
  • Types of Business Entities
  • Employee Information
  • Tax Information
  • Financing Your Business
  • Insurance
  • Marketing
  • Business Planning
  • Choosing Professional Advisors
  • Building Your Business Plan

 

TOLEDO CHAMBER'S START-UP & BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS PLAN GUIDE

The Chamber has also made a Business Plan Workbook available.

 

Vendor's Licenses

Ohio law requires any person or business making retail sales of tangible personal property or taxable services to register for the sales tax by obtaining a vendor's license. Ohio offers several different types of vendor's licenses. Depending on the kind of business there are at least two ways to obtain a license. 

  • Ohio Business Gateway
    Prospective retailers may obtain a vendor's license immediately through the Ohio Business Gateway. Businesses must first establish an account with OBG before using it to request a vendor's license.

  • Lucas County Auditor
    Businesses may also apply for a vendor's license with their county auditor. 

hen completing a vendor's license registration form, business owners will need to know where their company falls within the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Here is a partial list of NAICS codes. For more information on the NAICS, visit the U.S. Census Bureau.

 

Name Registration

All businesses must register with the state. Visit the Ohio Secretary of State's website to make sure the name you want is available. 

Then download and mail the registration form.

 

Other Licensing

Some businesses require specialty licensing from the State of Ohio. Information on which business and how to apply can be found at the state's website. 

 

 

Funding Options 

 

U.S. Small Business Administration

Since its founding in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses. Their website provides information on loans, grants, and other financial assistance. 

 

Ohio GrowNOW

GrowNOW is a partnership between eligible banks and the Ohio Treasury. The program enables small business owners to receive up to a 3% interest rate reduction on new or existing small business loans for two years with the opportunity for renewal. Small business owners must commit to the creation or retention of at least one full-time job or two part-time jobs in the State of Ohio for every $50,000 borrowed, up to $400,000. GrowNOW broadly serves as a catalyst for Ohio's economic development by supporting the small businesses that drive it. 

 

ECDI TOLEDO

The Economic Community Development Institute Toledo focuses on providing Toledo entrepreneurs with small business loans up to $350,000. It also offers referrals to local community partners for training, including help developing a business plan. 

ECDI provides small business loans to for-profit companies, helping those clients with cash flow, marketing and training as well as technical assistance throughout the life of the loan. Those loans may be used for business expenses such as working capital, start-up operating costs, and purchase of equipment, inventory and supplies, but not for real estate acquisition or construction. 

 

Uptown artist entrepreneur initiative

The Arts Commission, in partnership with LISC Toledo, ECDI Toledo, and the UpTown Association are launching a business development program for creative entrepreneurs in need of training and capital to launch or sustain arts enterprises, including craft-based, food-based, fashion, entertainment, and fire art businesses.

The goal of the AEI program is to engage in business skills development for creatives throughout our community and to assist with loans through ECDI for 10 businesses in Uptown Toledo over the course of the next two years. 

More information will be available soon and we'll update this guide as that information becomes available.

 

 

TAXATION

The IRS Small Business Tax Center contains forms, instructions, and online tax workshop and more to help you meet the federal tax responsibilities for your business. 

Ohio Business Gateway is your link to online reporting of your state tax obligations. 

he Ohio Department of Taxation provides forms and rules for State of Ohio business tax obligations.

 

 

Additional Resources

The Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) also hosts an extensive set of resource links for businesses. 

 

CREDIT

Much of the information in this guide came from the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, Toledo ECDI, The Arts Commission, and various state and local website. We do not claim authorship of this information and have gathered into it in this guide for ease of use.