How to Start a Business

Do you want to start a business in Revere, but don’t know how or need assistance on some of the details? The City of Revere wants your business to thrive; and we’ve prepared a step-by-step guide describing everything you need to do to start a business and operate it successfully.

Step 1: Contact the City's Business Liaison

We’ve listed several organizations and offices that you can contact with questions regarding your business and its commercial environment. But as your first point of contact, our Business Liaison, John Festa stands ready to answer any of your business-related questions. Please feel free to call at 781-286-8181 or visit the Department of Planning and Community Development.

Resources

City of Revere Department of Planning & Community Development
City Hall, 281 Broadway, Revere MA 02151
(781) 286-8181
https://www.revere.org/departments/planning-and-community-development

Revere Chamber of Commerce
313 Broadway, Revere, MA 02151
(781) 289-8009
https://www.reverechamberofcommerce.org/

Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Boston Regional Office
100 Morrissey Boulevard, Wheatley Federal Building, 3^rd Floor, Suite 154, Room 10
Boston, MA 02151
(617) 287-7750
https://www.msbdc.org/network.html

Step 2: Location

Ready to start looking at sites for your venture? Location is a key factor in the success of your enterprise. However, you must consider your needs, budget, and target clientele when choosing a site for your new business. For commercial properties, the City of Revere offers personal assistance to find the perfect location for your business. For help in selecting your site, please contact the Business Liaison.

Step 3: Business Plan

Before starting to build your venture, you need a plan. A formal business plan is an invaluable tool to help your business succeed. A requirement to obtain certain loans, a business plan addresses the critical goals and challenges of a new business venture and enables entrepreneurs to set benchmarks, evaluate progress, and demonstrate to potential investors that the company has longer term profit-making potential with positive cash flows.

We also offer personal assistance via our business liaison, John Festa, who can be contacted at (781) 286-8181. Depending on your business, we also may be able to offer enhanced technical assistance resources.

Steps of a Business Plan

Executive Summary. Give an overview of your company. Include your mission statement, your product or service, and a financial overview.
Business Description. Give an overview of your company’s operation (i.e., employees, location, leadership). Questions include: what products and/or services do you offer now and/or what will you develop in the future?
Market Strategies. This section should include a market analysis. Questions to ask include: how big is/are your market(s) and how are they changing? What trends are affecting them and do these trends bode well for your future success?
Competitive Analysis. This section is to help determine and analyze the competitors in your market. Questions to ask include: who are your competitors and what are their key strengths and weaknesses? Where do you have the competitive advantage?
Marketing and Development Plan. This section is to provide information about the production, marketing, and development of the product being sold, as well as the business itself. Questions to ask include: who are your target customers and what are their demographics? Through what promotional and marketing tactics will you reach these target customers?
Operations and Management Plan. This section is meant to describe the day-to-day operations of the business, and identify the management team and describe their responsibilities. Questions to ask include: who is part of the business team already, and what positions need to be filled moving forward? What sort of management structure will you have in place?
Financial Factors. This section is focused on all financial aspects of your business. Questions to ask include: what are your projected revenues and profits over the next 1-to-5 years? Is any external funding needed to build the business? If so, how much and where would this funding come from?

Resources

Revere Chamber of Commerce
313 Broadway, Revere, MA 02151
(781) 289-8009
https://www.reverechamberofcommerce.org/
Email

Center for Women & Enterprise
24 School St., 7th Floor, Boston, MA
617-536-0700
https://www.cweonline.org/
Email

SCORE Mentors Boston
Thomas P. O’Neill Federal Building, 10 Causeway St., Room 265, Boston, MA 02222-1093
(617) 565-5591
https://boston.score.org/

U.S. Small Business Administration
10 Causeway St., Room 265, Boston, MA
617-565-5590
https://www.sba.gov/offices/district/ma/boston

Roads Consulting Group
974 Bennington St.
Boston, MA 02128
(617) 287-7750
https://roadscg.com/

Step 4: Zoning, Permitting, and Licensing

File for Site Plan Review and submit with floor plan and certified plot plan.
Receive a detailed Zoning Determination from Building Commissioner; proceed according to instructions in Zoning Determination.
Set up a inspection and receive Certificate of Inspection.
Contact the Fire Prevention Bureau to determine if additional permits are needed.
If building or renovating: Submit floorplan and all required documentation for approval from Site Plan Review; Receive building permit.
Visit the City of Revere Licensing Office to file for any appropriate license or apply online at www.revere.org/departments/
licensing.
Contact the Health Inspections Division to inquire for any additional licenses or apply online at citizenserve.com/Portal/PortalController.

Resources

City of Revere Department of Inspectional Services
American Legion Building, 249 Broadway, Revere, MA
(781) 286-8149
https://www.revere.org/departments/inspectional-services

City of Revere Building Department
American Legion Building, 249 Broadway, Revere, MA
(781) 286-8177
https://www.revere.org/departments/building-division

City of Revere License Commission
281 Broadway, Revere, MA
(781) 286-8165
https://www.revere.org/departments/licensing

City of Revere Fire Prevention
400 Broadway, Revere, MA
(781) 286-8363
https://www.revere.org/departments/fire

Step 5: Business Certificate

Visit the Revere City Clerk's Office.
File for a City of Revere business certificate and get the form notarized (only if company will be a sole proprietorship or general partnership).
Submit notarized form with a check or money order in the amount of the filing fee.

Resources

Step 6: Local Taxes

As you start your business, it is important to be aware of your tax obligations at each stage of your development process. Visit the Revere City Collector’s Office to make sure you are in good standing.

Resources

Step 7: Internal Revenue Service

Call the Internal Revenue Service office in Boston to schedule an appointment if needed.
File federal tax forms for your business.
Get a federal tax identification number.

Resources

Step 8: Massachusetts Department of Revenue

Contact the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.
File Massachusetts state tax forms for your business.
Get a Sales Tax Registration Number and Certificate.

Resources

Step 9: Insurance

Do a risk assessment and inventory of your business's facility and property.
Visit the Business Liaison, if necessary, for advice.

Step 10: Ribbon Cutting

Congratulations, you’ve done your due diligence and your business is ready to open its doors! Purchase a huge ribbon and giant ridiculous-looking scissors! The opening of a business in Revere is an important event both for the proprietors and the surrounding community, and thus an event that should be celebrated. The Mayor and City officials are eager to to honor your accomplishment and your new place in the community, and will attend ribbon-cutting events or other business opening ceremonies as their schedule allows. To invite the Mayor or other City officials to such an event, please contact the Mayor’s Office at (781) 286-8111.

Forms & Applications

Contact Information

781-286-8194 EXT. 20318

City Hall
281 Broadway
Revere, MA 02151

John Festa
Business Liaison; Director of Signage & Storefront Programs

What's on This Page

Contact the City's Business Liaison
Location
Business Plan
Zoning, Permitting, and Licensing
Business Certificate
Taxes
Internal Revenue Service
Massachusetts Department of Revenue
Insurance
Ribbon Cutting
Forms & Applications