A business license (as only one example of alternative documentation) should never be used to identify an agency as legitimate. But, with a business license at least you now have proof they really exist and therefore (with some work) can establish a recourse or obtain additional information to pursue something.

Whereas, without anything at all; A physical address, a business license, no incorporation status, no registered business name, no tax id #, no staffing license, no landline phone number...the agency really just doesn't exist.

For anyone niave enough to fall for a "dream" sold to them (and we all know there are many of them), they literally have nothing they can do about it. They honestly can't even warn other people because they cannot provide proof; in-so becoming heresay and run the risk of being liable to an individual and are open to a civil suit.

The internet today with no more than a myspace or ambiguous weblink/webpage...these "ficticious" companies can change their entire information in just one day since the names are not legally bound to any entity.

Business license doesn't work in alot of cases...as from state to state it varies. Same as with agency regulation. With Georgia, for example; If you effectively employ anyone, whether it is 1099 or a W-form, you are required to have an operating license and an office (or store front depending on the business structure you are in) openly displaying said license with legal business name and d.b.a. name. Even as a home-based business. Although the physical appearance of that office is non-desript.

None of this will ever be a science, but if each states' government would regulate every market (or if the regualtions were made federal) then things would be easier for the consumer/purchaser/employee/etc...

But like in GA, because of non-Union regulations for actors, that remains impossible.

Angelus

Although, given our industry, just like New York passed a specific law affecting the modeling industry sepreately from other entities, I feel if all states agreed to a segregated regulation for modeling that would co-incide it'd be a vast improvement. Especially since there is no "established" model's union nor guild. It may actually become ideal. At least for the major and secondary markets.

But then that is my head bubbling with random thoughts and ideas again.

Angelus

Great information, observations and advice. I agree totally. In California, it was all the same - license had to be displayed on the wall (business license) in the business location, etc. In fact, I recall actually having them (state officials?) going door-to-door checking for this and I had to point it out to them (it was up above the door and they didn't see it and asked why it wasn't displayed). In Texas, as we have no State Tax (1099, W2), it probably negates their interest moreso than other states that do charge income taxes. In TX, we simply file federal returns and not state. I recall checking several sources to be sure they were correct when they informed us we didn't need one. Now with a Talent Agency, of course, they're very strict and the bond/license must be in place of they come down hard on anyone without. I've found it has plus and minus benefits, unfortunately.

austinmodelsandtalent

The directory looks great!!!!!! good luck, looks like ALOT of hard work on your part. keep it up!

akeller

I agree. Checking with the city New York today I’ve run into a few issues. They regulate talent agencies but the city of New York licenses them as employment agencies and makes no distinction at all. This makes their information much harder to sort through. But we’ll figure out a way. For the first time in my life I feel an urge to write my congressmen…lol

Oh, and thanks for the kudos guys. I’ll pass it on to our developer, Kailash Nadh. He coded this for us.

If you want to see some of his work check out his site at http://kailashnadh.name .