Florida - Checking off the boxes, what have I missed??? (Other Business Owners, please!)

[U_Stormcrow]

OK, I'm here in FL, and focused on that - other State laws don't apply, let's keep the comments limited to that forum please.

My wife and I have a small homestead, and a lot of things in the air.

I've just filed with the Secretary of State to create an LLC.
As soon as its approved, I'll obtain an EIN from the IRS (not required - we have no employees, but it allows me to not publish my Social Security # on license applications)

I have an existing NPIP certification, will transfer it to the LLC when I'm recertified in 5 months, and in the interim, the LLC can buy live birds or hatching eggs from me, then resell them to the public, as needed. Looking into how to accelerate the transfer now.

As soon as the LLC is issued, I'll obtain a FL Limited Poultry and Egg Operation license in the business name as well. We have a small number of other potential future product streams in the exploratory stages (various fruits, goats, etc), and can readily obtain licensing for same if they look like they might operate annually on a "break even" or better basis, but aren't moving forward commercially with any of them this year.

I've checked my zoning, established my ledgers, pricing for "in kind" contributions and disbursements. Expect payment to be cash or barter, no bank account established yet (soon). Signage is being prepared, I've a business email address and sub-addresses (Name@BusinessName...), have started the process to validate the address with Google Maps (important out here in the middle of nowhere) and have begun to look into local low cost advertising (not a lot of product to sell, this isn't a "go big/go home" type of launch).

Have been giving away product to establish a potential client base and set expectations of product quality, expect to lose many of them when it costs real money, but have enough wanting to pay me now that I'm confident I can cover my feed costs, and the expense of licensing annually.

Feel like I'm missing something. Anyone been down this road recently that might suggest where I've made a wrong turn?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

and the FL Limited Poultry and Egg License has been applied for. Just waiting on a call from the Inspector and to pay the State for my license.

...and is now Secured. Sig updated to reflect it. I'm legal now, licensed and certified with the state to sell poultry eggs for hatching or for human consumption. Birds too, live or processed.

The local representatives of the various State agencies were quite pleasant to work with, and while slower than I would like, the whole process was relatively easy.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I'm sorry, what's your question? You really seem to have a handle on things.

Thanks! Trying to set up the shell of a business in FL through which I can handle Shell Egg plus Hatching Egg/Live Poultry sales with all appropriate licensing and zoning for the State of FL. Not to make a profit, but primarily to protect my wife and I (and our homestead) from liability should someone decide to blame us for a lack of sanitation on their part after a purchase of eggs/poultry from us.

I know a number of posters here are "in the business" and in FL, hoping they might note anything I've either forgotten, or about to step into unawares.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

were going through the same process! Thanks for posting this, the only thing i need to do at this point is get that limited poultry license. We dont have a separate bank acct just yet, ive been tracking my reciepts so far, and it is a pain. Thinking ill need to rectify that soon, tho. A whole lot of spending on the farm, and not much profit the first year. Hard to look at those numbers!!

Its a loss the first year - cost of establishing the business.

Because it runs in the red, I've not opened a seperate bank account, but I **am** maintaining a very careful ledger. You should also be aware that, even though you aren't likely to have taxable sales (in fact, I'm not sure how you could, under that license), you do have to send in your tax report each Quarter. If you are late, they will give you a "grace" (which I've already used due to a filing snafu on my part - but they make a real clear threat that they will charge a minimum penalty next time there's a late filing, even if your tax liability is zero. For a business already running in the red... that's hurtful.

/edit reminds me, I need to dig thru records and send another off, so it doesn't arrive late.

 

[Brooks_]

Thanks! Trying to set up the shell of a business in FL through which I can handle Shell Egg plus Hatching Egg/Live Poultry sales with all appropriate licensing and zoning for the State of FL. Not to make a profit, but primarily to protect my wife and I (and our homestead) from liability should someone decide to blame us for a lack of sanitation on their part after a purchase of eggs/poultry from us.

I know a number of posters here are "in the business" and in FL, hoping they might note anything I've either forgotten, or about to step into unawares.

I am not in the business, but I really think what you have done will cover your bases. Have you considered a consultation with a blood sucking lawyer? Sure, a couple hundred bucks, but worth it.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Found something I missed - needed a State of Florida Tax ID, which will take several days more, before I can get my limited poultry license, in addition to the LLC and the Federal EIN. Looking into local licensing (county) now, though we are rural enough its likely unneeded. I hope

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Good catch. Sadly, I don't think any county is rural enough to not want their piece of the pie.

I am inclined to agree, but I'm so rural we finally got a web page for the county - and it runs like its being hosted on a PCjr via dial up. Also, it doesn't link to the tax collector, just the road crew, the library, and the dump.

 

[Brooks_]

As a side rant, I hate my county for all the reasons I can't talk about here. But from what I have read around this site, it's pretty good on chickens. So there's that at least.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

My county is actually pretty good to me, as long as you don't mind stripped down services and a need to do things in person. Its a "live and let live" sort of environment, mostly.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Have you determined any insurance needs?

I formed an LLC specifically to protect my personal assets from claims against the business, which I will operate at as close to break even as possible - it will have substantially no assets to attach in any litigation. I'm drafting up the paperwork now to transfer my flock into the LLC's hands and the existing feed as part of my initial investment, but it will rent the property used and the rest of the equipment (hen houses, barn, etc) from me, and pay me "in kind" at market value for eggs and processed poultry. The cash side of the business will go to feed costs, primarily, and eventually to the purchase of additional equipment to be held by the LLC - another incubator, signage, a dedicated mini-refrigerator and a better three compartment sink and stand.

If sued, I will simply liquidate and dissolve the LLC in response - my time is worth more than the hassle. I do need, eventually, to alter my insurance on the property itself, but I already carry the maximum coverage anyone will write until I have a residence (as opposed to an RV) on the acreage.

Excellent question, btw.