Applying for a Business License

[ErnieAtLYD]

Short description of the idea (140 character tweet):

How might we make the processes to start a business in Miami easier?

What is your project concept or idea? What challenge or opportunity will it solve?

Small businesses are the heart of many communities, and getting started can be the hardest part. To start a business, you typically have to apply for a business license. We want to learn about the process to start a business in your community. Did you have all the information you needed to complete the business license application? How did you find the application? Is the application online or do you have to bring it into city call? Do you know how long the processing will take? Help us!

Who will benefit from your project? Describe the humans at the center of the problem - who are they?

How would they benefit? Can you tell their story?

Small businesses provide quality jobs, help power local economies, and revitalize neighborhoods. An entrepreneur typically has to register their business with the city before they can open, but acquiring the right permits can be prohibitively complicated. It's not always clear which department should be contacted or what permits are required. An entrepreneur may need a fictitious name or their business plan reviewed by city officials before submitting an application for their business license.

What is the current state of your project idea?

• I understand the challenge well but don’t yet have ideas for a solution

Do you have any links to news articles, text, mockups, code, or data?

• https://www.codeforamerica.org/events/national-day-2016/challenge-applying-for-a-business-license

[sarasti]

The City of Miami has created a guide with some condensed content. It's a great start!

I'd love to make this even easier.

http://dev.miamigov.com/economicdevelopment/pages/MiamiBusinessSolutions/Default.asp
PDF: http://miamigov.com/amjdocs/mbs.pdf