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Many of our resources can be added right to your Google Drive account, which you can also use to securely store digital copies of other important documents. Learn how to use Google's free tools here, with Tech Goes Home.

Business Essentials, powered by the TSBDC

Research your business name online to identify any conflicts. 

Choose a business name

Consult with a CPA and attorney, if necessary. Complete any membership agreements, operating agreements, or other documents to include in filing.

Determine your business structure or legal entity and file paperwork

Check with your local municipalities to determine requirements. 

Obtain business licenses

Open a commercial bank account, or bank accounts

This includes sales tax, Franchise and Excise Tax, Business Tax, etc. 

Register for taxes with Tennessee Department of Revenue

Purchase commercial insurance, if applicable

Employee Records

You must be able to contact and communicate with all of your employees in an emergency.

Maintain current contact information for all of your employees

This includes things like an employee handbook, I-9 forms and medical files. It's important that sensitive information is stored securely.

Develop and store human resources documentation

Ensure you have information about your payroll obligations on hand.

Maintain up-to-date payroll information

Recordkeeping, Permits and Licenses

Most businesses, vocations and occupations operating within Hamilton County, TN and/or Chattanooga, TN are required to obtain a business license.

Apply for and store your business license

File or prepare formation documents to form a business that will be based in Tennessee, or register or prepare documents to obtain a Certificate of Authority to transact business in Tennessee if your business was formed in another state.

Apply for and store your Tennessee business registration

An out-of-date or missing permit can be what keeps you from getting the help you need. Review the resources below to see if any of these special cases might apply to you.

Identify, apply for and store necessary federal and state permits and licenses specific to your industry

Makes sure your business adheres to state food service guidelines

Apply for and store your food handler's permit

To be eligible for aid, you must be able to demonstrate proof of licensure in the food and personal care industries.

Establish contact with the health department and apply for all required licenses.

To be eligible for aid, you must be able to demonstrate proof of licensure in the childcare industry.

Aquire and store all necessary childcare licensing and documentation

Obtain a Tennessee license for selling and/or serving alcoholic beverages. 

Apply for and store your alcoholic beverage license

Establish a plan for sustainability and take steps toward furthering your business or non-profit.

Develop and document a business plan

Collect and store mortgage or lease information

Protect your organization with the right type of insurance.

Secure up-to-date insurance information

Collect and save your IRS Determination Letter

Collect and store your 501(c)(3) annual reports

If you're an LLC, you'll need this documentation from the State of Tennessee.

Document and store articles of organization

An operating agreement is not a requirement, but, if you do have one, make sure a copy is accessible.

Document and store LLC Operating Agreement, if applicable

Establish the legal framework of your business or non-profit. 

Document and store organizational bylaws

Business basics, regulations and FAQs for Chattanoogans, as well as COVID-19 specific resources available locally.

Learn about other helpful, local resources for small businesses

Expert Support

You need to be able to contact your partners when an emergency distrupts your relationship with them.

Maintain current contact information for all of the partners your business works with

Required non-profit documentation for grants and aid.

Keep an up-to-date list of board members

Gather current contact information for all congregational and operational leadership

Having a relationship already established means you won't need to find legal assistance in the middle of a crisis.

Establish a relationship with a lawyer or law firm

Having a relationship already established means you won't need to develop one in the middle of a crisis; loan programs like PPP, for example, were managed directly by banks.

Establish a relationship with a bank or banker

Having a relationship already established makes applying or asking for relief simpler.

Establish a relationship with a mortgage lender or landlord

Whether it's you, a staff member or an external contractor, someone must be able to provide accurate, up-to-date financial information.

Establish a relationship with a bookkeeper or accountant

Having a relationship already established can help expedite any claims, as well as in producing documentation required for other relief programs.

Establish a relationship with an insurance agent

Develop relationship with your peers. You may have questions someone else in your industry can answer - a network is crucial, especially in an emergency.

Join a professional association and/or attend informal meetups

Online Assets/Cybersecurity

Ensure you can access your online platforms — from e-mail to social media — securely from anywhere, not just at one physical location (like a computer in your office).

Securely store all information required to access your online platforms

Ensure clients, customers or congregants can find you online.

Create a website or social media presence for your organization, and register it via Google

Make it easy for community members to support your organization through a crisis.

Create an online payment or donation platform

Even something as easy as Facebook Live can help you reach and stay in contact with congregants and continue worship services.

Create a Facebook page or register for another online platform for broadcasting faith-based services

Make it easy for congregants and the community to support you through a crisis.

Identify and register for a faith-based online giving platform

Ensure information you store or share online is secure.

Learn to use Google Drive and other online tools safely

You should ensure everyone with access to important information knows how to keep it secure.

Conduct a cybersecurity training for staff

Financial Records and Compliance

This means securely storing company records, links and passwords.

Ensure your financial information is up-to-date and accessible

Make sure you have access to your bank 24/7, especially if you cannot go in-person. In addition to online access, make sure you have secure, ready access to other bank account details.

Secure your online banking and bank account information

Apply for and save your Employer ID number, or EIN

Store your organization's W9

You need to maintain old financial records - in general, for at least 3 years - but the length of time can depend on different factors. Learn from the IRS how long you should maintain yours.

Learn how long you must retain your financial records

Collect and store copies of tax returns

You must be able to demonstrate you are a non-profit.

Collect and store copies of non-profit 990s

Collect and store current and past financial statements

Record and save your organization's annual budget

Collect and store copies of any recent audit reports

Ensure you have easy access and up-to-date information on any financial liabilities, as well as to information on anything you are owed (but remember, depending on the crisis, that others may also be in navigating financial challenges).

Store and regularly update both accounts payable and receivable information

You must have a profit and loss statement to be eligible for numerous types of financial aid.

Regularly update and store profit and loss statements

02/28: Tangible Personal Property Returns due 

03/31: Charitable Solicitations Renewal (nonprofits)

04/01: Secretary of State Annual Reports due (LLCs) 

04/15: 1040 Tax Returns due (Sole props) 

04/15: City/County Business Returns due 

05/15: 990 Tax Returns due (non-profits) 

01/31: Quarter 4 Payroll Tax Returns due (941s + TN SUTA or other applicable states) 

04/30: Quarter 1 Payroll Tax Returns due (941s + TN SUTA or other applicable states)

07/31: Quarter 2 Payroll Tax Returns due (941s + TN SUTA or other applicable states) 

10/31: Quarter 3 Payroll Tax Returns due (941s + TN SUTA or other applicable states) 

Ensure your business stays in good business standing by filing your quarterly/annual compliance returns by their due dates.

Funding

You need to be able to contact your funders and donors when an emergency disrupts your relationship with them.

Save up-to-date contact information for foundations and donors

In addition to knowing up-to-date funding information and any expenditures, ensure you have contact information for a program officer and are aware of any deadlines or grant requirements which may be impacted by a crisis.

Store active grant documents and information

Non-profits are required to refile every year, in order to solicit donations.

Save and store copies of your yearly charitable organization registration, renewal or exemption request.

Vendor and Contract Information

You need to be able to contact your vendors when an emergency disrupts your relationship with them.

Save up-to-date contact information for vendors

Save up-to-date account and contact information for utility providers

It's important to store both a physical copy somewhere safe, as well as a backup copy in a digital location.

Securely store copies of signed contracts

Customer, Client or Congregant Information

You need to be able to contact your customers and clients when an emergency disrupts your relationship with them.

Save up-to-date contact information for customers and/or clients

You need to be able to contact your congregants when an emergency disrupts your relationship with them: Consider a mailing list, social media, a listserv or even a phone tree as a way of reaching everyone quickly.

Save up-to-date contact information for congregants

Additional Emergency Preparation

Being resilient means having a plan; ensure you and your team know what do in case of an acute emergency.

Create an evacuation plan in case of fire, flood, tornado or other sudden disaster

Completed your checklist? Check out these additional disaster and crisis preparedness resources. Resiliency is an ongoing process!

Review other disaster preparedness toolkits

Leave us some feedback or join The Enterprise Center's mailing list for more helpful tools and content.

There is a community of support here for you in Chattanooga and Hamilton County! Visit Starting Block and connect with the Small Business Development Center, La Compañía at La Paz, SCORE, CO.LAB or Venture Forward for more help and resources.

Everything you need to prepare your business, nonprofit or faith-based organization for a crisis.

Free Resiliency Checklist for Small Businesses

Resources

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The full list may take days, or even weeks to complete. But when it’s done, your business will be prepared for any crisis.

Provided for free by The Enterprise Center in Chattanooga, TN.

Established

Just Starting Out

For-profit

Non-profit / Not-for-profit

If you're unsure, you can skip. You can also always come back and change your answer.

Childcare

Education

Religion and Faith

Personal Care Services

Food Service

Including theatres, museums, the performing arts, etc.

Tourism and/or Event Venues

Some industries have specific additional requirements or permits. If one or more of these sectors apply to you, select them before choosing "Show me my results" — otherwise select, "None of these apply." And if you're not sure? You can see all of the additional resources by selecting, "I'm not sure."

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