Surety Bonds

Got a Hobby? Get Licensed and You May Have a Business Too!

09.17.2020

Everyone has activities they enjoy doing—and the variety is fun to consider.

Perhaps you enjoy whipping up artisanal cocktails to share with friends. Or, maybe you can’t wait to go fishing in your free time. Are you the person your friends call when they need help planning a trip? (Yes, the day will come when we want to travel again.)

Maybe you are energetic and have a favorite sport or fitness regimen? Then too, remember going to bingo with your grandmother—or bowling for your birthday? Maybe you like to fix things—or clean things, or even break things!  Ahhh, the simple satisfaction of clearing the gunk from the gutters or wrecking that old shed.

What these activities—and many more—have in common—are seeds for products, services, and content that could become a business. Especially given the current job market disruptions now’s a good time to think through how the activities you find satisfying might help you earn money as a side hustle, or even as a small business owner.

Ideas for Starting a Business Now

Along with ideas for starting, running, and growing a business, The US Chamber of Commerce offers this encouragement:

COVID-19 has completely upended the way we work, but the most disruptive and tumultuous times can also be the ideal moments for innovation. Successful companies like Airbnb, Slack, Venmo and Square were all born as a result of the economic recession of 2008 ….read more.

The Chamber of Commerce predicts that successful businesses coming out of the pandemic will include:

  • Home Improvement
  • Remote Fitness (e.g. virtual training apps, products and equipment)
  • Meal Kits and Food Delivery
  • Services for Remote Workers (e.g. Independent Insurance, business apps, etc.)

Complying With Government Regulations

Core to every successful business is acting in accordance with the appropriate laws and safety standards set by federal, state, and local governments.

Whatever business you are in, it’s likely that to operate it, you will need licenses and permits for one or more government agencies. Generally, an important pre-requisite for successfully receiving those credentials is demonstrating that you have purchased the associated license and permit bonds. Essentially, these surety bonds act as a guarantee that your business is prepared to comply with regulations. Some examples are a contractor’s license bond, insurance adjusters, agents and brokers bond, photographers license bond, travel agencies license bond, and much more.

What Is a License Bond? What Is a Permit Bond?

A license bond acts as a guarantee that your business is prepared to execute the set of actions it exists to perform, according to all relevant standards. Similarly, a permit bond generally guarantees that your business is prepared to follow appropriate safety guidelines in accordance with the applicable government regulations.

With a 20 year head-start on the “insurtech industry, Colonial Surety Company’s unique, advanced approach puts you just a few clicks away from getting the license and permit bonds you need as you plan and launch your small business. Check out our extensive list of license and permit bonds, covering everything from alcohol to entertainment, fishing and hunting, home-wrecking, livestock, sports, travel agents, and more!

Colonial Surety Company is a leading provider of license and permit bonds. We’re licensed in all 50 states and U.S. territories and make it easy for you to directly and immediately obtain your I-Bond® (instant, online surety bond).  Our direct to consumer approach means that YOU  can get a license and permit bond for your business today. Get your bond now.

Good To Know

You are not alone! The Small Business Administration (SBA) calculated that in 2019,  there were 30.7 million small businesses in the United States, employing 59.9 million employees—and accounting for 99.9 percent of all US businesses. Learn More.