Shopping small is one thing, but opening a storefront to one’s local community requires a person who is willing to dream big.
For those who didn’t attend business school or grow up with a family full of entrepreneurial spirit and experience, turning those dreams into reality can require a seemingly demanding learning curve.
But Marin’s citizens shouldn’t be afraid to dream big because opening and operating a business is mostly about taking a leap of faith and building those wings on the way down. The rest is just details…literally. The small details that stand between a person and their dream business are like steps in a journey; they may seem insurmountable altogether, but the process is entirely doable when one starts with the first step and worries about the next after that.
Speaking of inspiring steps, Lark Shoes is one such “small” local business that’s made it big in the North Bay. It’s a family-owned and operated shoe store founded 45 years ago, in 1979. Harry Kupelian is the founder, and his well-honed craft expertise began at the age of 14 while working in his father’s factory in Lebanon. There, Kupelian learned to craft shoes from scratch, a skill he later brought to the United States. This helped him open a shoe repair shop and grow it into the successful business model it is today.
Over the years, the Kupelian family has expanded Lark Shoes’ operations to include multiple family-run locations. It now has five storefronts across the North Bay, all of which specialize in providing comfort footwear, orthotics and supportive shoes, with a focus on quality products and personalized customer service.
“We specialize in comfort shoes because we know what it’s like to be on your feet all day,” said Maggie Kupelian, wife of Harry Kupelian. “Our customers can trust that we have the best selection of supportive footwear in a variety of sizes, colors and styles.”
Alongside the original Larkspur Landing location of Lark Shoes in Marin County Mart, the family expanded to open other storefronts in San Anselmo in 2009 and Napa in 2011. Another Napa outlet was opened in 2018, followed by a Northgate outlet in San Rafael.
“Our family is deeply rooted in this community, and we’re proud to be a part of it,” said Vatche Kupelian, who runs the San Rafael store and oversees all locations along with his mother (Maggie). “We listen to our customers and make sure to update our inventory with the latest trends while maintaining competitive pricing.”
The next step for the Lark Shoes family is opening up a new store in Bon Air in 2025—so Marin’s citizens can expect extra pep in their step come the new year. One may not want to miss out on some truly excellent, family-owned small business shopping opportunities…especially since the holidays are closer than one would expect.
But for those who wish to give the gift of opening their own small business to the local community, there is no better time to get started than the present. So, it’s time to wrap up with a rundown of some pertinent information that may help get the ball rolling toward what could one day be a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate one’s own grand opening.
The following information is sourced from the official County of Marin website (marincounty.org.), specifically its requirements checklist for nearly all new businesses. Be sure to visit the site for further information (especially for those interested in following through on opening a local business).
So, first things first—anyone interested in opening a local business must decide what kind of business they want to open. This doesn’t just mean waking up one day with a sudden desire to open a ping-pong emporium for senior citizens and their canine companions (sadly). One should also know early on whether their business model will operate from the perspective of a sole proprietor, in a partnership format or as a corporation, LLC (a.k.a. “limited liability company”), etc. This will determine the forms, profits and tax payment expectations.
After that, the County of Marin website suggests checking out the California Trade and Commerce Agency’s Permits and Licenses page to see if that ping-pong emporium requires a special state license.
Next is the fictitious name statement process, which essentially means giving a proposed business name to the County Clerk of the Civic Center. One may call the offices at 415.473.6152 for an explanation of fictitious names (including the who, what, when, where and why).
Once one has sorted out the details of their fictitious business name, it’s time to visit City Hall and check out the zoning ordinances. Those who wish to open a new business in an unincorporated area of Marin County, such as West Marin, must call the Marin County Department of Finance to proceed with plans. The phone number to call in cases of opening businesses in unincorporated areas is 415.473.7045.
Now that the ping-pong emporium business concept is well underway, it’s time for the final stretch, which means registering and awaiting assessment. To do this, one must simply contact the Marin County Assessor Business and Personal Property Division by calling 415.473.7208 or visit the Marin County Civic Center in person.
After all that, it’s time for everyone’s favorite part of opening a small business. That’s right; it’s time to contact the IRS and get all the details of the ping-pong emporium’s taxation expectations. Note that those who wish to sell physical goods or serve food at their small business must go through extra steps, such as acquiring a seller’s permit or a food safety certification. Don’t forget to hire professional advisors and get invaluable support from insurance agents, accountants and attorneys. This will ensure the ping-pong emporium is insured, fiscally viable and legally liable.
Starting a business from scratch can feel like a daunting endeavor—what “Ts” does one cross, and does every “I” require a dot? Whatever bureaucratic obstacle courses or reality checks await throughout the process, it’s well worth the effort if it means becoming the ping-pong kingpin, butcher, baker or candlestick maker Marin doesn’t even know it needs (yet).
Proposed city businesses must contact the individual city halls for business licenses, zoning and building permits. This includes the city halls for Belvedere, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Novato, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito and Tiburon.
To learn more about starting a business here in Marin County, visit the county website at marincounty.org.
