Clothing Brand

I'm working on the process of creating a clothing brand and I'm trying to go about it appropriately to have everything set up as needed.

My problem: This is the first attempt at anything entrepreneurial in the "real world", where I'll be investing "real" money (real big money at least - $1k+). I don't really know how to go about it, and I'm doing as much research as possible on the wonderful google, but I can't get everything I need. I'm trying to start small, with an online store - not actually leasing a store.


So, here's my questions:

• What type of licenses do I need (for New York and Florida)?
• If I want to put up characters that have been copyrighted, how do I go about that?
• What do I have to do financially (filing for taxes, etc.)?
• How can I find designers to help create the clothes?
• What are some good networking sites for clothes (Twitter, SoleCollector, Kicks On Fire, etc.)?
• Where can I find a good manufacturer, without outsourcing to India, China, etc.? (Brand commitment to be specifically 'Born & Raised in the USA'.)

Thank you all for any advice and tips you can offer me, it is much appreciated.

- Philosophic