Run Your Business Better
Startup Licensing
& Registration
Understand why licenses and permits are crucial for your business.
Presenter · May 8, 2026
Monica Colgan
Founder, CEO & General Manager · Launch Industries
Monica Colgan, MSOD, MA, SHRM-SCP.
- Founder, Launch Industries (since 2022)
- Founder, Full-Service Restaurant (15 years)
- Founder, Commercial Kitchen Business (3 years)
- Founder, Product-Based Wholesale Business (10 years)
- Small business consultant supporting startups & scaling businesses
- 1,000+ entrepreneurs supported across sectors
- Consultant with the City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development
- HR, Operations, Marketing, Finance & Digital Tools
Introductions.
Who is here?
Who Are You?
Share your name, pronouns, and company.
What Kind of Business?
Tell us about your industry and what you do.
Bookkeeping Setup?
Bookkeeper or DIY? How's it been going? What's a struggle?
Your Goals Today
What do you hope to get out of today's session?
Who is Launch Industries?
A Seattle-based small business consulting firm — a one-stop resource for entrepreneurs and nonprofits looking for practical, hands-on support.
Track finances accurately, manage cash flow, and maintain compliance with expert bookkeeping specialists.
Manage payroll, benefits, and HR policies with specialists who simplify day-to-day operations.
Implement systems that save time, reduce stress, and free owners to focus on strategy and growth.
Right support transforms a business.
Through our work, we've seen how the right support can transform a business — freeing owners to focus on strategy, growth, and serving their communities.
By combining personalized guidance with practical tools and expertise, Launch Industries empowers small businesses and nonprofits to operate with confidence and clarity.
Class objectives.
What you'll learn today:
- 01Registrations & Licensing Overview — State, federal, city, and county requirements every business needs to know.
- 02Registrations & Licensing for Employees — State accounts, tax filing requirements, and contractor vs. employee classification.
- 03Organization Development — Building a strong operational foundation across all key business functions.
Part 01
Registrations
& Licensing
Getting your business set up the right way at every level.
State-level requirements.
Register your business entity — LLC, corporation, or other structure — with the Washington Secretary of State to establish your legal presence in the state.
Obtain your Washington State business license through the DOR. This covers your UBI (Unified Business Identifier) and state tax registration for sales tax, B&O tax, and more.
Federal requirements.
Employer Identification Number
Apply for an EIN from the IRS — your federal tax ID. Required for opening business bank accounts, hiring employees, and filing federal taxes.
Federal tax obligations
Set up federal taxes — income tax, self-employment tax, and estimated quarterly payments depending on your business structure.
City & County requirements.
Business License Tax Certificate
All businesses operating within Seattle city limits must obtain this certificate. Renewed annually and tied to your gross revenue reporting.
Personal Property Tax
Report personal property used in business operations — furniture, equipment, machinery. Annual filing with the King County Assessor.
Special & industry-specific licenses.
Depending on your industry, additional licenses and permits may be required.
Food handler permits
Establishment licenses, health department inspections, King County Public Health certifications.
Contractor registration
WA Dept. of Labor & Industries, bonding, insurance, and city-specific building permits.
Sector-specific rules
Healthcare, childcare, real estate, financial services — each has its own state and federal licensing.
The licensing landscape.
Every Seattle small business navigates multiple layers — federal EIN through city and county. Each layer supports the next.
Part 02
Registrations &
Licensing for Employees
When you bring on employees, a new set of state accounts and tax obligations come into play.
State accounts for employers.
Department of Revenue
Employer withholding tax accounts. DOR handles state B&O taxes and payroll-related tax reporting.
Employment Security Dept.
Unemployment insurance (UI) taxes. Employers contribute to the state unemployment fund supporting workers between jobs.
Labor & Industries
Workers' compensation coverage. WA requires most employers to carry industrial insurance for on-the-job injuries.
Tax filing requirements.
What you withhold & remit
- Federal income tax (IRS)
- Social Security & Medicare (FICA)
- Washington State unemployment (ESD)
- Workers' compensation premiums (L&I)
- Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML)
Don't miss these
- Federal payroll deposits: semi-weekly or monthly
- Quarterly 941 filings with the IRS
- Annual W-2s and 1099s by January 31
- ESD quarterly wage reports
- L&I quarterly premium reports
Contractors vs. employees.
One of the most common — and costly — mistakes is misclassifying workers.
Set hours, company tools, follow direction. Employer withholds taxes, pays FICA match, provides workers' comp + unemployment. W-2 at year end.
Set own hours, own tools, multiple clients. Pay own self-employment tax. 1099-NEC if paid $600+/yr. No benefits required.
Heads up: Misclassifying an employee as a contractor can result in back taxes, penalties, and legal liability. When in doubt, consult a professional.
Part 03
Organization
Development
Building a strong operational foundation across all key business functions.
The 7 pillars of organization development.
Operations
Streamline processes and workflows to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks.
Finances
Solid budgeting, accounting, and cash flow management to keep your business healthy.
Marketing
Strategy for outreach and customer engagement that grows your audience and revenue.
Human Resources
Strong hiring practices, employee policies, and team culture supporting growth and retention.
Legal
Stay compliant, protect with solid contracts, and manage risk proactively.
Branding
Identity, messaging, and positioning to stand out and connect with ideal customers.
I.T.
Right systems, software, and tech support to keep your business running smoothly and securely.
All 7 working in concert
Strong businesses build all seven pillars over time.
How Launch Industries can help.
Navigate state, federal, city, and county requirements so nothing falls through the cracks.
Accurate financial tracking and compliant payroll processing handled by specialists.
From employee classification to policy development, build a compliant and people-first workplace.
Work alongside you to streamline workflows, implement better systems, and free you up.
Thank you
Talk soon
Thank you for joining Launch & Learn today. Reach out anytime — we're here to help.
hello@launchindustries.biz
Phone
(206) 552-0380
Web
launchindustries.biz
Gusto Demo: Simplify Payroll & HR.
Join us next week to learn how to simplify payroll and HR with one of our favorite tools.
Friday, May 15
- 12:00 – 12:50pm
- Virtual via Zoom
- FREE
- Common business licenses and permits
- How to determine which apply to your business
- Federal, state, and local requirements
- How to stay compliant from day one
Register at launchindustries.biz