When it comes to starting a business or launching a new product line, most people do not apply much (if any) scrutiny to their business licenses and permits until something goes wrong. More often than not, business owners expect their license and business permit requirements to be simple and their certificates to be easily acquired. As for their renewal deadlines, they assume that those can be dealt with at a later date. However, the reality is not so simple--business owners are routinely fined, stores closed, and penalties levied against store managers for their lack of compliance, so it's not as easy as most people assume.

How does an entrepreneur determine what licenses and permits (if any) are necessary to run their business. Why is it important to obtain business licenses and permits before a start-up begins operating.