What Sis Naturalis MAY need before opening day

Q: I run a budget conscious apparel brand selling clothing online nationwide through social media marketing and on Amazon.

A: Hi Hollie,
A budget brand lives on volume, so the permits need to be in place before orders start piling up. A sales tax permit covers sales on Amazon and your social channels, a business license names the company, and a resale certificate lowers your cost on goods bought wholesale. If you design your own pieces, a trade name registration protects the brand. Selling across the country can raise extra tax questions as orders grow, and a home occupation permit applies if shipping happens at home. We find out which of these apply to Sis Naturalis and fill out the applications. Here is the full map, item by item.

1. Business license: A business license for a clothing boutique MAY ask whether you sell in person or only online, what brands or labels you carry, and where your inventory is kept.
2. Home occupation permit: A home occupation permit MAY apply if racks, boxes and packing supplies live in your home, usually with limits on fitting-room visitors, signs and shipping truck traffic.
3. Sales tax permit: A sales tax permit MAY be needed because clothing sales are often taxable, and shipping garments to buyers in other places can raise additional collection questions.
4. Private label registration: If you stitch your own brand tags into garments, a textile labeling statement may be required describing fabric content and care.
5. Supplier invoice records: Copies of invoices from the labels you buy from may be requested to show the stock is bought for resale.
6. Liability insurance certificate: Proof of coverage is sometimes asked for if you plan to sell at pop-up markets.
7. Employer registration: With people on the payroll, you MAY also need an employer ID, a withholding account and workers' compensation coverage before the first paycheck.
8. Company papers: A DBA, an LLC or a tax ID number MAY make sense for Sis Naturalis, and we prepare all of these documents on this site, so everything can be ordered in one place.

Why it is worth the paperwork

A boutique with a point of view gets followed, shared and re-ordered from, and a good size run can sell out before the tags dry.

A small scene

Lena unboxed the first shipment of Marigold & Moss dresses and realized the tags were crooked, but the license framed above the steamer was perfectly level.

A cautionary example

A customer claims a dye run from your sweater stained her white couch and the bill for new upholstery arrives at your kitchen table.

Codes and counts

Business code (NAICS): 448140 (Family Clothing Stores), 458110 under the 2022 update. This page lists 8 paperwork items for a clothing boutique, and each one is marked as something you MAY need, since we confirm which apply.

Tip: Photograph each garment on a hanger and on a person; returns drop when buyers can see exactly what they are getting.

Running a boutique means you will ask 'does this come in my size?' about twice as often as your customers do.

Ready when you are: start your order and we will find out what applies to Sis Naturalis, fill out the applications and keep the paperwork moving.