Starting a Business With a Virtual Office in Williamson County

Many times, new businesses in Williamson County and Middle Tennessee start right in the home. However, to have a more professional look, many of these businesses are opting for virtual offices in Nashville, TN.virtual office nashville tn

If you rented a Virtual Office at Merris Business Center, you would have a dedicated phone number that can be answered with your business name and a physical address where you could receive mail and packages. You also get a prestigious Brentwood address to use for your business cards, on your website, in brochures, and so on! Plus, as you grow Merris Business Center also has you covered with office space in Brentwood, TN.

It’s good to establish a home base, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.


First Things First

What about a name? You need to be sure that the name you come up with doesn’t infringe on someone else’s name that is already in use in Tennessee.  So, check name availability with the Tennessee Department of State first.

Next, decide if the business will be a proprietorship, LLC, corporation, etc. Getting advice from an attorney or tax consultant is wise. Your business’s legal structure will determine your taxes, liability, and ownership succession.


Start at the Top and Work Down

Begin meeting all legal requirements at the state level, then at the county level, and finally at the city level. To do business in Tennessee, you have to obtain an EIN (Employer Identification Number) even if you don’t plan to have employees. And you have to register the business with the Tennessee Department of State. If you will be collecting sales tax in your business, you also need to apply for a sales tax number.

All businesses anywhere in Williamson County need to apply for a Business License (except for doctors, lawyers, banks, and insurances companies, which have their own licensing requirements to meet).  If you are in the city limits of a city, you may also need to obtain additional permits or licenses.

For more detailed information, visit the websites of the Tennessee Department of State and the Williamson County government website.

More About Merris Business Center

Along with virtual offices, Merris Business Center provides executive office suites for rent in Brentwood, TN serving businesses from all over Greater Nashville. To learn more give us a call at 615-933-5100.