Start a Business in Louisiana Today

Step 1: Create a business plan for your Louisiana company

To succeed, every company needs a business plan. Think of a business plan as a roadmap that explains how the company will go from an idea to a flourishing business.

What to Include in Your Business Plan

As you may expect, a business plan can get pretty detailed. You should conduct market research before you get started. Who is your local competition – and how can differentiate yourself?

Your business plan should include a description of the business, an assessment of “SMART” goals, a deep-dive on competitors, a detailed description of your target customers, a sound marketing plan, and a look at the company’s current economic status.

Expenses

Aside from listing revenue streams, it’s also important to list expenses. Mention the cost of your monthly lease, what you expect to pay in Louisiana taxes, and ongoing labor costs. Even mention smaller bills like what you’ll pay in utilities to Entergy New Orleans, for example.

Entrepreneurs with a solid business plan are 30% more likely to grow their business. Why? A plan forces a business owner to set goals, create a strategy, and work toward achieving them. Given its importance, a business plan is not a step you should skip.

Need help creating a business plan for your Louisiana startup? We put together a comprehensive library of articles and guides on business planning.

Step 2: Choose a business structure

How will you structure your business? There are several different types of businesses that you can establish in Louisiana. Your decision will impact how you’re taxed and how much personal liability an owner has if something goes wrong.

Sole Proprietorship

As a Louisiana business owner, you may explore a sole proprietorship, a general partnership, a corporation, or a limited liability company (LLC) as your designated business structure. With a sole proprietorship or general partnership, the business and the owner(s) are considered the same legal and tax-paying business entity. A sole proprietorship is the easiest business to start, but it doesn’t offer the liability protection other legal business entity options provide.

In fact, while it’s fast to start (you can start doing business immediately) and there’s no paperwork to file, the main drawback is the lack of liability protection for your personal assets. If someone sues the business, they can go after your personal savings, house, and possessions.

Louisiana Corporation

With a corporation in Louisiana, your personal assets will enjoy some level of protection. However, income for C corporations is taxed twice — once at the corporate level and once on personal tax returns. S corporations tax the money only once, but it’s harder to qualify for an S corporation.

Louisiana LLC

With an LLC, the business and the owner are separate, which provides a layer of liability protection. The owner’s home and car, for example, are considered personal assets and are safeguarded if the business incurs debt or faces a costly lawsuit. You will have personal asset protection.

Also, the business income is taxed only once, on the owner’s personal tax return. For those two reasons, LLCs are a popular choice among new business owners.

Since a business structure is tied to taxes, it’s a good idea to speak with an accountant or attorney about your specific business idea to weigh cost-effective options.

Step 3: Determine startup costs for your Louisiana business

After working through a business plan, you probably have a lot of information needed to calculate business costs. There are ongoing costs and one-time, startup costs for things like equipment, inventory, and filing fees. If you plan to set up an LLC in Louisiana, you’ll have a one-time $100 filing fee to register with the Louisiana Secretary of State.

Start by crunching your startup costs. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has a good startup cost resource that can help. Next, move on to ongoing costs. Ongoing costs include things like rent, utilities, payroll, equipment maintenance, and marketing. Labor costs will likely be one of the higher costs on your lists.

While Louisiana doesn’t have a state-set minimum wage, it uses the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Use this as a benchmark to calculate payroll. This tool can help crunch ongoing costs.

Curious about “how much it costs to start a business in Louisiana?” Look no further. This helpful guide will walk you through business cost calculation and more.

Step 4: Name your Louisiana business

Some entrepreneurs come up with a business name instantly, while others ponder it over a few crawfish boils before committing.

Check Business Name Availability

Either way, when you have a name in mind, you need to make sure it’s available. In the state of Louisiana, as in most states, no two businesses can have the same name. To check a name’s availability, run a business entity search at the Louisiana Secretary of State website. If the name is in use, you need to come up with a different one.

Consider a DBA Name

Louisiana has its share of odd business names like Bourbon Cowboy (a bar on Bourbon Street with a famed mechanical bull) and Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo (a psychic reading shop), so it’s perfectly acceptable to pick a memorable name that may seem a little strange. You may also consider using a “doing business as” (DBA) name, which you learn more about in our Louisiana DBA guide.

In a nutshell, many companies use DBAs to separate different lines of business. A lawn care company that also builds outdoor fireplaces might use a DBA to differentiate its services. Unless they have a DBA, sole proprietorships and general partnerships must do business under the first name and last name of the owner(s).

For that reason, a sole proprietorship and general partnership may use a DBA to create a more professional-sounding and brandable company name.

Secure a Domain Name

Now is also a good time to look into a matching domain name. Most businesses want their website to match their company name. To make that happen, you need to see if the domain name is available and purchase it. If this sounds a little too technical, reach out to a business formation company for assistance.

Step 5: Register your business in Louisiana

You have to file paperwork to make your Louisiana LLC official. If you live in Louisiana, you can download the Articles of Organization, fill them out, and mail it or you can submit them online through Louisiana geauxBIZ.

If you live in a certain county (Ascension, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, Livingston, Orleans, Ouachita, Rapides, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, or Terrebonne), you’re required to file online. The fee to file a domestic (in-state) LLC is $100. You’ll also need to file an annual report. 

Forming a corporation in Louisiana can be even more involved. A business formation and compliance company can offer assistance with either an LLC or a corporation.

You can use the same website, Louisiana geauxBIZ, to research the types of permits or business licenses your business may need to operate, too, though be aware that the site won’t necessarily tell you every conceivable license or permit you may need. You’ll need to conduct some research.

Get an EIN

Most businesses need a federal employer identification number (EIN) from the IRS. You can get this nine-digit number, which is used to pay federal taxes, hire employees, and apply for a bank loan, from IRS.gov. Sole proprietors who don’t hire employees or pay specific taxes have the option of using their social security number instead, though this can expose them to identity theft.

Recommended: Learn more about the benefits of an EIN and how to get one for your LLC or Corporation in our EIN information page.

Registration and Business Insurance

You also need to register your business with the Louisiana Department of Taxation, and it’s a good idea to learn about business insurance, too. The Louisiana Department of Insurance provides resources on health insurance and suggests other types of business insurance that small business owners may want.

Open a Business Bank Account

Owners can also set up a business bank account to keep personal and business assets separate. Many banks offer business checking accounts and savings accounts, some with more competitive rates. You can also consider opening a business credit card for making small purchases and for building your company’s credit.

Step 6: Market your business

Often, marketing budgets are small for new companies, but there are many efforts you can make that are free or low-cost.

Set up Social Media Accounts

To start, set up social media accounts for your company. Select the channels that correlate with your audience. For example, if your ideal client is a Mardi Gras-celebrating millennial, use channels like Snapchat and Instagram. If you’re targeting an older generation, a portion of the population that’s expected to significantly increase in the state over the next 15 years, set up a Facebook account. This small business guide to social media could help.

As you set up social accounts, be sure to follow local resources and join groups like the New Orleans Small Business Owners group and the Louisiana Chamber of Commerce group. 

You can also consider buying some ads in one of Louisiana’s 38 publications or set a small daily budget for highly targeted Facebook ads that are shown to a specific geographic area, like Franklin or Covington.

Louisiana Business Connections offers several tips to market your business in the state.

Benefits of opening a business in Louisiana

The Bayou State has created a series of tax breaks that provide a pro-business climate. The Enterprise Zone, for example, gives companies a tax credit of up to $3,500 for every job created, while manufacturers who make a new investment can get property tax abatement for up to 10 years with the industrial tax exemption. Also, companies that shell out for research and development could see up to a 30% tax credit with the R&D tax credit.

Business owners and potential employees who live in the state also enjoy a low cost of living. Louisiana’s cost of living is about 5% less than the national average. Affordable home prices and some of the lowest utility prices in the country contribute to that status.

For new business owners who need an office or commercial space, you’ll find inexpensive prices. To lease office space, expect to pay about $15 per square foot. To buy office space, prices hover around $80 per square foot. Industrial space and retail space are even cheaper.

Start a one of these business structures in Louisiana

• Louisiana Limited Liability Company (LLC)
• Louisiana Professional Corporation
• Louisiana Corporation
• Louisiana Nonprofit Corporation

Still unsure what business structure in Louisiana is best for you? Feel 100% certain by reading this guide that compares formation types.

Examples of good businesses to start in Louisiana

Louisiana has many business opportunities, but to provide inspiration, here’s a list of industries that employ the most people in the state: 

• Healthcare and social assistance
• Accommodation and food services
• Retail trade
• Construction
• Professional, scientific, and technical services
• Manufacturing

Looking for more ideas? Check out our list of the best businesses to start in Louisiana.

Bottom Line

Louisiana has a low cost of living, a welcoming business environment, multiple tax incentives, and affordable commercial space. As a result, the state could be an ideal location for you to run with your business idea. Learning how to start a business in Louisiana will take some time, but there are many resources that can help you as you navigate business ownership.

We can help make it easier to start. Our formation services help you start, run and grow your successful business over time.

Top Kentucky Cities to Form Businesses

New Orleans: Vibrant cultural and tourism hub with significant events like Mardi Gras. Major port city, excellent for international trade and logistics. Growing sectors include technology and film production, supported by tax incentives.

Baton Rouge: State capital with a stable economic base centered on public administration and educational services. Significant industries in petrochemical manufacturing and healthcare. Home to major institutions like Louisiana State University.

Shreveport: Diversified economy beyond oil and gas to include manufacturing and communications. Known as “Hollywood South” due to incentives for film production. Also a growing hub for technology and startup companies.

Lafayette: Heart of Cajun country and a leader in the energy sector, especially oil and gas. Focused on healthcare and technology with a push toward innovation and startups. Developing sectors include software development and medical technologies.

Lake Charles: Rapid economic growth driven by the petrochemical industry. Significant player in gaming and hospitality due to resort casinos. Key location for energy-sector businesses, particularly LNG facilities.

Each of these cities offers unique advantages based on their industrial strengths and strategic locations, making them suitable for various types of business ventures in Louisiana.