Smart Start™
Start Your Business "Smart!"
As a Smart Start™ Community, we support a thriving small business and entrepreneurial environment by providing new and existing businesses with education, tools and resources. Within our community, Community Partners help small business owners and entrepreneurs easily connect with tools and resources to grow their business downtown.
Using the Smart Start™ Guide
Whether you are just starting or still growing, use this guide to grow your business in Downtown Franklin. Follow the guide for tools and resources available to you from within our community. The resources available through this guide are either invested DFA members, or provided by one of our Community Partners (including but not limited to Williamson Inc., Visit Franklin, and the City of Franklin), or provided through our accreditation with Main Street America®, or directly through our Smart Start™ status.
DFA Smart Start™ Guide
TN Start-Up Checklist
CHECKLIST:
An interactive guide for starting a business, including how register, referrals to entrepreneur support organizations for assistance locally, and a dynamic business model canvas, all of which are tailored to the user’s responses HERE>
TN RESOURCES:
- Static, PDF/hardcopy resources: (1) TN SmartStartTM Guide, a guide for new and existing small businesses and entrepreneurs, (2) a visual flowchart “How to Start a Business,” and (3) a blank Business Model Canvas HERE>
- Procurement, certification, policy information and resources for small and DBE business owners HERE>
- Access to current data for businesses that have employees or have no employees as well as data based on business ownership by race, ethnicity, gender and veteran status HERE>
- Resources to help businesses and communities deliver better, with topics from advocacy to data collection, art to agriculture to tech HERE>
- Public-Private Partnerships: Rural Opportunity Fund, TN Driving Innovation mobile platforms – the Lab, the Venture and the AMP HERE>
FUNDING:
- Access Launch Tennessee Resources HERE>
- Funding opportunities for rural and urban core small business and entrepreneurship development HERE>
MENTORSHIP:
Access the nearest SCORE chapter HERE>
NETWORK:
VETERANS:
Access specialized veteran start-up resources HERE>
OFFICE SPACE:
Consider officing at the Franklin Innovation Center HERE>
City of Franklin
City of Franklin Smart Start™ Resource
Beer Permits
- To apply for a Beer Permit, please contact Revenue Management at 615-791-3217.
Business Licenses
- To apply for a Beer Permit, please visit franklintn.gov, select “I Want To” tab, then select Apply for “Business License.”
Building and Site Alterations
- Please consult https://www.franklintn.gov/government/departments-a-j/building-and-neighborhood-services/permit-applications-information to determine if permits are needed for interior and/or exterior work.
- Refer to the “Signage” heading for more information about sign regulations and permitting.
- Many exterior building and site alterations, within the Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO), including signage, require issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) prior to building permitting and/or work commencing. Visit franklintn.gov/historicpreservation for more information, including the Historic District Design Guidelines, and contact Amanda Rose at 615-550-6737 or amanda.rose@franklintn.gov to determine if your property is within the HPO and to discuss any projects that may require a COA.
Building Uses & Zoning Information
- Visit https://www.franklintn.gov/government/departments-a-j/information-technology/geographic-information-systems to consult the Zoning Map to determine the zoning for your property, and visit https://web.franklintn.gov/FlippingBook/FranklinZoningOrdinance/index.html to consult the Zoning Ordinance to learn more about the zoning (Chapter 3) and principal and accessory permitted uses and structures (Chapter 5) at your property.
- You are encouraged to contact Shanna McCoy at 615-550-6631 or mccoy@franklintn.gov with any questions related to zoning and permitted uses in or outside of the floodplain (identified on the Zoning Map under Zoning Overlays, FFO and FWO).
Floodplain Information
- Consult https://www.franklintn.gov/government/departments-a-j/building-and-neighborhood-services/zoning-administration-and-inquiries/floodplain-management for any floodplain-related questions. A floodplain development permit is required for any work (interior or exterior) being proposed for an existing or new structure within the floodplain, whether a building permit is required or not. You can learn more about floodplain regulations in the Zoning Ordinance here: https://web.franklintn.gov/FlippingBook/FranklinZoningOrdinance/64/index.html.
Historic Districts/Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO) Information
- Many exterior building and site alterations, within the Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO), including signage, require issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) prior to building permitting and/or work commencing. Visit franklintn.gov/historicpreservation for more information, including the Historic District Design Guidelines, and contact Emily Huffer at (615) 550 6795 or emily.huffer@franklintn.gov to determine if your property is within the HPO and to discuss any projects that may require a COA.
Mobile Food Vendors
- Access information regarding Mobile Food Vendors here: https://www.franklintn.gov/government/departments-a-j/building-and-neighborhood-services/zoning-administration-and-inquiries/mobile-food-vendor, including a mobile food application form, a mobile food checklist, a location specific application, and a location specific checklist.
- Municipal Code regulations related to Outdoor Merchandise Displays, Private Decorative Fixtures, and Sandwich Board Signs can be found in Chapter 7, here: CHAPTER 11. - MOBILE FOOD VENDING | Code of Ordinances | Franklin, TN | Municode Library.
Sidewalk Use Permitting
- Tenants are encouraged to energize the street! Use of the public sidewalk, however, requires permitting. Consult https://www.franklintn.gov/government/departments-a-j/building-and-neighborhood-services/zoning-administration-and-inquiries to learn about the Outdoor Merchandise Displays, Sandwich Board Sign, and Outdoor Cafés (sidewalk seating) permitting processes.
- Municipal Code regulations related to Outdoor Merchandise Displays, Private Decorative Fixtures, and Sandwich Board Signs can be found in Chapter 7, here: CHAPTER 7. - OUTDOOR MERCHANDISE DISPLAYS, PRIVATE DECORATIVE FIXTURES, AND SANDWICH BOARD SIGNS | Code of Ordinances | Franklin, TN | Municode Library.
- Municipal Code regulations related to Outdoor Cafés can be found in Chapter 3, here: CHAPTER 3. - OUTDOOR CAFES | Code of Ordinances | Franklin, TN | Municode Library.
Signage
- Historic Districts/Historic Preservation Overlay—
- New or modified existing signage within the Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO) requires issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) prior to building permitting and/or work commencing. Visit franklintn.gov/historicpreservation for more information, including the Historic District Design Guidelines, and contact Amanda Rose at 615-550-6737 or amanda.rose@franklintn.gov to determine if your property is within the HPO and to discuss any sign projects that may require a COA.
- Entire City of Franklin, including Historic Districts/Historic Preservation Overlay—
- New or modified existing signs may also require approval for a sign permit. Consult https://www.franklintn.gov/government/departments-a-j/building-and-neighborhood-services/zoning-administration-and-inquiries/sign-administration to learn about the sign permitting process and to begin the sign permitting process (link at bottom of page).
- Learn more about sign regulations in Chapter 15 of the Zoning Ordinance, here: https://web.franklintn.gov/FlippingBook/FranklinZoningOrdinance/224/index.html.
- Learn more about sign permit procedures, including what can and cannot be completed without a permit, in Chapter 15 of the Zoning Ordinance, here: https://web.franklintn.gov/FlippingBook/FranklinZoningOrdinance/321/index.html.
- Consult https://www.franklintn.gov/government/departments-a-j/building-and-neighborhood-services/zoning-administration-and-inquiries/sign-administration to learn more about convenience signage (including signs installed in parking areas). Contact Building and Neighborhood Services to determine if additional convenience signage can be permitted on your property prior to installing it at 615-794-7012. Installing of paid parking kiosks also requires review and approval by the City.
- Convenience signage regulations are located within Chapter 15 of the Zoning Ordinance: https://web.franklintn.gov/FlippingBook/FranklinZoningOrdinance/233/index.html.
- New or modified existing signs may also require approval for a sign permit. Consult https://www.franklintn.gov/government/departments-a-j/building-and-neighborhood-services/zoning-administration-and-inquiries/sign-administration to learn about the sign permitting process and to begin the sign permitting process (link at bottom of page).
Utility Services
Real Estate Resources
These are local realtors, office space, engineering professionals, architects, and mortgage services from among our invested members of the Downtown Franklin Association...
Genesis Engineering Group, LLC
Other Resources...
CPA & HR Services
These tax professionals downtown are local and can help with entity formation, tax accounts, bookkeeping, payroll, tax filings, and strategic advisory...
Legal Services
These legal services are local to downtown and invested members of our community...
Cheatham, Palermo, and Garrett Law
Insurance Coverage
These insurance providers can help meet your needs downtown...
Financial Services
These financial service providers are local to downtown and invested in our community and can help with accounts and lending...
Investment Planning
These financial and investment strategists are invested members of our association...
Growth Tools
The following businesses can help you build your brand and grow your business downtown and are invested members of DFA...
TN Tourism Resources
Tennessee is excited to be rolling out the Tourism Business Marketing Toolkit educational portal for ALL businesses in Tennessee!
Businesses will have free access to the portal using the promo code provided below. Inside the Marketing Toolkit, find content covering a variety of topics, from optimizing presence in Google My Business (GMB), TripAdvisor, and Yelp to best practices for copywriting and content marketing.
How to access the portal:
Go to https://tennessee.tourismbusinessmarketing.com/
1. Log in using your Google account
2. Enter the promo code TENNESSEE
3. Find best practices, tips and more for marketing your business online
Here’s the link to the resource on our industry site too!
https://industry.tnvacation.com/rural-tourism-educational-resources
Community Partners
These are businesses downtown ready and willing to help you as you get started!
- Carmichael Creel Investments
- Current Marketing Solutions
- Franklin First United Methodist Church
- Franklin Pride, TN
- Izzy's Feel Good Food
- Kilwins Franklin
- Lovely Franklin
- Luxury Homes of TN
- McKinney Green Insurance
- Moyer & Company
- Renasant Bank
- Savory Spice
- The Juice Bar Franklin
- The Parker House on Main
- Visit Franklin
- TN Start-Up Checklist
- City Permits
- Real Estate Resources
- CPA & HR Services
- Legal Services
- Insurance Coverage
- Financial Services
- Investment Planning
- Growth Tools
- TN Tourism
- Community Partners
TN Start-Up Checklist
CHECKLIST:
An interactive guide for starting a business, including how register, referrals to entrepreneur support organizations for assistance locally, and a dynamic business model canvas, all of which are tailored to the user’s responses HERE>
TN RESOURCES:
- Static, PDF/hardcopy resources: (1) TN SmartStartTM Guide, a guide for new and existing small businesses and entrepreneurs, (2) a visual flowchart “How to Start a Business,” and (3) a blank Business Model Canvas HERE>
- Procurement, certification, policy information and resources for small and DBE business owners HERE>
- Access to current data for businesses that have employees or have no employees as well as data based on business ownership by race, ethnicity, gender and veteran status HERE>
- Resources to help businesses and communities deliver better, with topics from advocacy to data collection, art to agriculture to tech HERE>
- Public-Private Partnerships: Rural Opportunity Fund, TN Driving Innovation mobile platforms – the Lab, the Venture and the AMP HERE>
FUNDING:
- Access Launch Tennessee Resources HERE>
- Funding opportunities for rural and urban core small business and entrepreneurship development HERE>
MENTORSHIP:
Access the nearest SCORE chapter HERE>
NETWORK:
VETERANS:
Access specialized veteran start-up resources HERE>
OFFICE SPACE:
Consider officing at the Franklin Innovation Center HERE>
City of Franklin
City of Franklin Smart Start™ Resource
Beer Permits
- To apply for a Beer Permit, please contact Revenue Management at 615-791-3217.
Business Licenses
- To apply for a Beer Permit, please visit franklintn.gov, select “I Want To” tab, then select Apply for “Business License.”
Building and Site Alterations
- Please consult https://www.franklintn.gov/government/departments-a-j/building-and-neighborhood-services/permit-applications-information to determine if permits are needed for interior and/or exterior work.
- Refer to the “Signage” heading for more information about sign regulations and permitting.
- Many exterior building and site alterations, within the Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO), including signage, require issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) prior to building permitting and/or work commencing. Visit franklintn.gov/historicpreservation for more information, including the Historic District Design Guidelines, and contact Amanda Rose at 615-550-6737 or amanda.rose@franklintn.gov to determine if your property is within the HPO and to discuss any projects that may require a COA.
Building Uses & Zoning Information
- Visit https://www.franklintn.gov/government/departments-a-j/information-technology/geographic-information-systems to consult the Zoning Map to determine the zoning for your property, and visit https://web.franklintn.gov/FlippingBook/FranklinZoningOrdinance/index.html to consult the Zoning Ordinance to learn more about the zoning (Chapter 3) and principal and accessory permitted uses and structures (Chapter 5) at your property.
- You are encouraged to contact Shanna McCoy at 615-550-6631 or mccoy@franklintn.gov with any questions related to zoning and permitted uses in or outside of the floodplain (identified on the Zoning Map under Zoning Overlays, FFO and FWO).
Floodplain Information
- Consult https://www.franklintn.gov/government/departments-a-j/building-and-neighborhood-services/zoning-administration-and-inquiries/floodplain-management for any floodplain-related questions. A floodplain development permit is required for any work (interior or exterior) being proposed for an existing or new structure within the floodplain, whether a building permit is required or not. You can learn more about floodplain regulations in the Zoning Ordinance here: https://web.franklintn.gov/FlippingBook/FranklinZoningOrdinance/64/index.html.
Historic Districts/Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO) Information
- Many exterior building and site alterations, within the Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO), including signage, require issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) prior to building permitting and/or work commencing. Visit franklintn.gov/historicpreservation for more information, including the Historic District Design Guidelines, and contact Emily Huffer at (615) 550 6795 or emily.huffer@franklintn.gov to determine if your property is within the HPO and to discuss any projects that may require a COA.
Mobile Food Vendors
- Access information regarding Mobile Food Vendors here: https://www.franklintn.gov/government/departments-a-j/building-and-neighborhood-services/zoning-administration-and-inquiries/mobile-food-vendor, including a mobile food application form, a mobile food checklist, a location specific application, and a location specific checklist.
- Municipal Code regulations related to Outdoor Merchandise Displays, Private Decorative Fixtures, and Sandwich Board Signs can be found in Chapter 7, here: CHAPTER 11. - MOBILE FOOD VENDING | Code of Ordinances | Franklin, TN | Municode Library.
Sidewalk Use Permitting
- Tenants are encouraged to energize the street! Use of the public sidewalk, however, requires permitting. Consult https://www.franklintn.gov/government/departments-a-j/building-and-neighborhood-services/zoning-administration-and-inquiries to learn about the Outdoor Merchandise Displays, Sandwich Board Sign, and Outdoor Cafés (sidewalk seating) permitting processes.
- Municipal Code regulations related to Outdoor Merchandise Displays, Private Decorative Fixtures, and Sandwich Board Signs can be found in Chapter 7, here: CHAPTER 7. - OUTDOOR MERCHANDISE DISPLAYS, PRIVATE DECORATIVE FIXTURES, AND SANDWICH BOARD SIGNS | Code of Ordinances | Franklin, TN | Municode Library.
- Municipal Code regulations related to Outdoor Cafés can be found in Chapter 3, here: CHAPTER 3. - OUTDOOR CAFES | Code of Ordinances | Franklin, TN | Municode Library.
Signage
- Historic Districts/Historic Preservation Overlay—
- New or modified existing signage within the Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO) requires issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) prior to building permitting and/or work commencing. Visit franklintn.gov/historicpreservation for more information, including the Historic District Design Guidelines, and contact Amanda Rose at 615-550-6737 or amanda.rose@franklintn.gov to determine if your property is within the HPO and to discuss any sign projects that may require a COA.
- Entire City of Franklin, including Historic Districts/Historic Preservation Overlay—
- New or modified existing signs may also require approval for a sign permit. Consult https://www.franklintn.gov/government/departments-a-j/building-and-neighborhood-services/zoning-administration-and-inquiries/sign-administration to learn about the sign permitting process and to begin the sign permitting process (link at bottom of page).
- Learn more about sign regulations in Chapter 15 of the Zoning Ordinance, here: https://web.franklintn.gov/FlippingBook/FranklinZoningOrdinance/224/index.html.
- Learn more about sign permit procedures, including what can and cannot be completed without a permit, in Chapter 15 of the Zoning Ordinance, here: https://web.franklintn.gov/FlippingBook/FranklinZoningOrdinance/321/index.html.
- Consult https://www.franklintn.gov/government/departments-a-j/building-and-neighborhood-services/zoning-administration-and-inquiries/sign-administration to learn more about convenience signage (including signs installed in parking areas). Contact Building and Neighborhood Services to determine if additional convenience signage can be permitted on your property prior to installing it at 615-794-7012. Installing of paid parking kiosks also requires review and approval by the City.
- Convenience signage regulations are located within Chapter 15 of the Zoning Ordinance: https://web.franklintn.gov/FlippingBook/FranklinZoningOrdinance/233/index.html.
- New or modified existing signs may also require approval for a sign permit. Consult https://www.franklintn.gov/government/departments-a-j/building-and-neighborhood-services/zoning-administration-and-inquiries/sign-administration to learn about the sign permitting process and to begin the sign permitting process (link at bottom of page).
Utility Services
Real Estate Resources
These are local realtors, office space, engineering professionals, architects, and mortgage services from among our invested members of the Downtown Franklin Association...
Genesis Engineering Group, LLC
Other Resources...
CPA & HR Services
These tax professionals downtown are local and can help with entity formation, tax accounts, bookkeeping, payroll, tax filings, and strategic advisory...
Legal Services
These legal services are local to downtown and invested members of our community...
Cheatham, Palermo, and Garrett Law
Insurance Coverage
These insurance providers can help meet your needs downtown...
Financial Services
These financial service providers are local to downtown and invested in our community and can help with accounts and lending...
Investment Planning
These financial and investment strategists are invested members of our association...
Growth Tools
The following businesses can help you build your brand and grow your business downtown and are invested members of DFA...
TN Tourism Resources
Tennessee is excited to be rolling out the Tourism Business Marketing Toolkit educational portal for ALL businesses in Tennessee!
Businesses will have free access to the portal using the promo code provided below. Inside the Marketing Toolkit, find content covering a variety of topics, from optimizing presence in Google My Business (GMB), TripAdvisor, and Yelp to best practices for copywriting and content marketing.
How to access the portal:
Go to https://tennessee.tourismbusinessmarketing.com/
1. Log in using your Google account
2. Enter the promo code TENNESSEE
3. Find best practices, tips and more for marketing your business online
Here’s the link to the resource on our industry site too!
https://industry.tnvacation.com/rural-tourism-educational-resources
Community Partners
These are businesses downtown ready and willing to help you as you get started!
- Carmichael Creel Investments
- Current Marketing Solutions
- Franklin First United Methodist Church
- Franklin Pride, TN
- Izzy's Feel Good Food
- Kilwins Franklin
- Lovely Franklin
- Luxury Homes of TN
- McKinney Green Insurance
- Moyer & Company
- Renasant Bank
- Savory Spice
- The Juice Bar Franklin
- The Parker House on Main
- Visit Franklin