Did you know that there are many types of businesses that are strictly regulated and controlled by the government?
I once knew a lady whose great idea was to make croutons from her house. Needless to say, that didn't last long when the inspector heard about it.
If you think you've got an idea that’s going to make you big money, there might be a reason why everyone else isn't doing it and that reason could be related to the law.
As I mentioned above if you are going to sell food, you will need to license and register for hygiene and safety inspections. For many reasons most local government agencies are especially strict if you plan to handle food especially raw meat. Food licenses aren't too hard to get provided you are willing to have your kitchen and products inspected at regular intervals An in home daycare will need a license. There are all sorts of courses to take and regular inspections to go through. If you ever wonder why there’s a shortage of in home childcare providers it’s because it’s so hard to keep up with the rules and make a profit.
Gambling is almost always strictly regulated. It might be fine to gamble privately with your friends depending on where you live, but as soon as you start running it as a business you are on shaky ground. You'll also find that most places have laws against lotteries. Applying for a license to turn your home into a gambling establishment is pretty sure to fail.
You will need a license if you plan to serve alcohol. Getting an alcohol license for your home, unless it's for some kind of special event and the drinking is just incidental is pretty much out of the question. Alcohol licenses are subject to appeals from people who live near you. So unless your whole neighborhood is ok with it you may have trouble.
Anything medical will probably need a license. When I say medical, I mean doctors, dentists, opticians, and even vets. You might think it is a great idea to turn your home into an animal hospital, but you need to be qualified and licensed. Of course, if you've previously been a doctor, dentist, or whatever, then you shouldn't have too much trouble getting licensed to do the same thing from home.
This list just covers some of the most common businesses that need licensing. The best idea is to check your local laws and make sure your home business is properly licensed.
Talk to you tomorrow :-)
Terry
