Paperwork

That pesky paperwork... Don't let it get in the way of starting your business!

Here's the basics (for Illinois food start-ups using a shared commercial kitchen)

Step 1:  Set up a corporation in Illinois. (Filing Articles of Incorporation Online (Illinois)

Step 2: Get Food Liability Insurance(Food Liability Insurance)

Step 3: Get your IL Sanitation Certificate - take an approved course (Food Sanitation Certification Courses) and then send in this form to get your official certificate.

Step 4: Register your business as a reseller/wholesaler by filling out the Reg-1 Form, you need your FEIN (federal Tax ID from the IRS, you get this after you set up the corporation) and your Illinois file number which you also get when you set up your corporation.(Business Registration, Resale ID, and Sales Tax)

Step 5: Check if you need any other licenses/certifications, this may vary based on where you are located (for example, La Grange requires that you get a La Grange Business License when you are using a shared kitchen but Evanston does not) And make sure you have the necessary paperwork for your shared kitchen squared away!