Making the decision to start a new business is a big one, but know that you’re in good company when it comes to our Chamber statistics. More than 85 percent of the 1,300 members that we serve have 20 or less employees. Being entrepreneurial is just the nature of our community’s economic landscape.

Given the number of business start-ups, our area has numerous local resources to support your new venture:

The Economic Development Office of Lee County (EDO)
The Economic Development Office of Lee County puts out a 40-page “Business Start-Up Guide” that includes any and all resources you might need to start a new business in the area. A similarly comprehensive "Business Resource Guide" lists the organizations at the local, state and government levels that are available as a resourcefor your business. Visit www.LeeCountyBusiness.com for more information.

Business Start-up Guide 2008:

EDC Business Start-up Guide 2008 (Adobe PDF Document)

Business Resource Guide 2008:

EDC Business Resource Guide 2008 (Adobe PDF Document)

 Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
The Small Business Development Center offers free, one-on-one business consulting, business seminars, workshops and tradeshows to assist the entrepreneur and small business owner. This non-profit is jointly funded by a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Florida Gulf Coast University’s College of Business, on whose campus the SBDC is located. Visit cli.fgcu.edu/sbdc/ for more information.

Southwest Florida Enterprise Center (SWFEC)
Southwest Florida Enterprise Center was designed to be a learning laboratory for entrepreneurs wanting to start and operate a small business. It offers commercial, warehouse, and professional office space at competitive market rates. Other costs, such as overhead, training facilities, training workshops, and onsite business counseling, are shared. Visit www.swflenterprisecenter.com for more information.

Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE)
Service Corp of Retired Executives is a program operated by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that provides free one-on-one counseling to local businesses. Retired business people share their expertise in a broad range of industries with those seeking to start or manage a business. Visit www.score219.org for more information.

Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce
The  Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based organization that exists to support local businesses throughout the Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero and Fort Myers corridor. The Chamber offers networking, ribbon cuttings, educational workshops, business referrals, and more.

Useful links in the business start-up process:

Step 1: Legal Structure

Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations www.sunbiz.org

Step 2: Fictitious Name (also known as D/B/A)

Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations www.sunbiz.org/help/fichelp.html

Step 3: State Licensing

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation www.state.fl.us/dbpr www.myfloridalicense.com

Step 4: Federal Employer Identification

IRS www.irs/gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf

Step 5: Federal, State and Local Taxes and Reporting Requirements

IRS www.irs.gov/businesses Florida Department of Revenue www.myflorida.com/dor

Step 6: Local Licensing (Formerly Occupational License)

City of Bonita Springs, City Clerk www.cityofbonitasprings.org