free business resources

Below, we’ve compiled a list of helpful resources for kitchen food businesses. For questions about any of these resources, or to find out about any of the business services that Cook Tucson provides, contact us.

Sign up for free business counseling

• Arizona Small Business Development Center
• SCORE of Southern Arizona

Establish your food business

• Name your business – choose something clever, easily identifiable and unique 
• Arizona Corporation Commission – Create a business entity ($50)
• IRS.gov – Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Pima County Health Department – Obtain all permits & inspections
  • PCHD – Do-it-yourself edition – Starting a food business guide
  • PCHD – Limited Food Manufacturing
  • PCHD – Catering
  • Complete food certification class

Market your food business

• Set up websites, social media pages, business directories & business cards
  • Google Business Listing
  • Go Daddy – domain name search, website hosting
  • WordPress, Square space, Weebly, Wix are some good options to build an easy, low-cost website for small businesses
  • Consider including Facebook, twitter, linkedIn, Foursquare, Instagram, YouTube, Google+ to name a few
  • Google pagespeed test
• Communicate via email, social media, person-to-person and local businesses
  • Mail Chimp – One of many email marketing services – free for low volume users
  • Hootsuite – social media manager, free option
  • Vistaprint, Moo, Jukebox print are good options for business cards, flyers, posters, postcards
  • PR Web – press releases
  • Grammarly – free online editor
  • Hubspot – CRM, free option

Other helpful resources

• Arizona Commerce Authority small business resources
• Heirloom farmers markets
• Food in Root farmers markets
• Tucson Food Truck roundup
• Food Liability Insurance Program