Getting started, where to start? (Advertising)

[SteveO2005TSX]

I'm confused on all of the business laws and how they work. If I was offering services, do I need to be licensed by the state or county? I was thinking about simply posting Craigslist ads or even putting business cards on windshields of cars in need

[shine]

If you want to conduct business under a name other than your legal name, you need to register a DBA (doing business as) at minimum. This normally goes through your state or county.

[Labster]

+1 to what Shine said. DBA accounts are fairly inexpensive, I think mine only cost me $35 I believe a few years back.