Concert Club/Live Venue?

[sjaguar13]

What is the name of your state? Ohio

If I wanted to start a concert club/live venue for local bands, do I need any special permits or licenses? There will be no alcohol served. Would I need anything special when it comes to insurance or anything like that?

 

[racer72]

What is the name of your state? Ohio

If I wanted to start a concert club/live venue for local bands, do I need any special permits or licenses? There will be no alcohol served. Would I need anything special when it comes to insurance or anything like that?

If you have no idea how a business operates and the requirements, you are not ready to start a business. With all the rules and laws, there is no way you can be told everything in an internet forum. If anyone tries, they are a fool. If you really want to start a business, go get a job in the business. Learn everything about the business, licensing, insurance, zoning, employment requirements. You will also have tax obligations. Once you know all about the business, then consider starting your own. Half of all small businesses fail in the first year, 90% will fail in 2. Three quarters of those that have a business that fail end up in debt up to their eyeballs and usually end up in bankruptcy court. Have you even considered where you are going to get the money to start such an endevour?

 

[FlyingRon]

At the least you're going to have to get a license from the PRO's (ASCAP, BMI, perhaps SESAC).

 

[sjaguar13]

If you have no idea how a business operates and the requirements, you are not ready to start a business.

No argument there.

With all the rules and laws, there is no way you can be told everything in an internet forum. If anyone tries, they are a fool. If you really want to start a business, go get a job in the business.

Is there really any business that all the rules and laws can be nicely spelled out on an internet forum?

Learn everything about the business, licensing, insurance, zoning, employment requirements.

I tried, but the Small Business Development Center just lists it as a regular business, nothing special needed. The only license they told me I need was a vendor's license, and that's only if I plan on selling something. I was just trying to verify that. You know, get a second opinion from someone who knows entertainment law.

You will also have tax obligations.

Almost all businesses do.

Once you know all about the business, then consider starting your own. Half of all small businesses fail in the first year, 90% will fail in 2. Three quarters of those that have a business that fail end up in debt up to their eyeballs and usually end up in bankruptcy court. Have you even considered where you are going to get the money to start such an endevour?

Thanks for the information, but if you took the time to read my post, you would have noticed it said "if I wanted to start..." instead of "I am definitely going to...". I haven't thought about getting the money because I don't even know for sure if I want to do this. I was trying to get some information before jumping into something I couldn't handle. I read online that half of small businesses fail in the first year, and 90% will fail in the first two years.

So...do you have any real advice or other sites that could be of some use, or is your rant the only thing you got?

 

[racer72]

I told you all you need to know. There is no "one size fits all" business plan and you sure as hell won't find it on the internet. I have a couple small businesses and I started out by going to my local community college for a few years and got a business degree. I worked in the businesses to learn all I could. Then I started my own business. If you think my previous post was a rant, don't even consider starting a business, I was being nice. People are going to be a whole lot nastier if you start a business then find out you don't have the money to pay them. Get an education. Learn the business. Start a business. Anything less is a waste of time and money.