Serving business owners since 2007
Starting a New Business
Even with a business startup checklist, starting a new business isn’t easy.
Sure, it’s easy enough to get into business – just start selling a product or service and, technically, you’re “in business”. But starting a new business deserves more than that. This is certainly a case where haste makes waste.
If you don’t take the right steps when starting your own business, it’s easy to forget or overlook important issues. Failure to sweat the details can be costly for start-up entrepreneurs.
To help ensure a smooth beginnaing for your business, we’ve assembled a checklist of important tasks every new business owner should tackle. In addition to reading this article, we encourage you to print the free downloadable checklist and hang it somewhere where you’ll see it regularly to track your progress until you’ve completed all of the items.
1. Business plan
While many sole owners of businesses start a business with a plan in their head, larger undertakings deserve a well thought-out business plan—particularly if outside investors and/or bank loans will be needed. A business plan that includes a market analysis and financial projections based on anticipated profit margins and expenses will be of great value.
You’ll also want to conduct comprehensive customer research at this time. Identifying and, when possible, pre-selling customers before you’re actually open for business will help get you into the profit column sooner.
2. Legal support
From day one, you’ll be well-served if you have access to sound legal advice when needed. Consider partnering with attorneys that have satisfied clients operating businesses similar to your planned business.
3. Accounting
Determine how and by whom your accounting will be done from the very beginning. It’s certainly wise to seek the advice of a qualified accountant who can help you establish proper procedures and avoid the expense of unnecessary taxes and penalties that can result from poor initial planning.
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4. Owners
If there are to be other owners, the relationship, basis, terms and conditions surrounding their ownership and involvement should be understood and agreed upon and, if feasible, outlined in writing. A complete understanding of what’s expected from all of the parties will eliminate possible misunderstandings and conflict in the future.
5. Business name
Naming a business sounds simple. But coming up with a unique, memorable name customers will like and remember that no one else uses or has a claim to is very difficult, and it gets even harder if you’ll be doing business over a large area or—as most businesses do nowadays—using the Internet. The more coverage you have, the more likely you are to encounter other businesses with the same name or one similar enough to cause conflict. At the very least, you’ll want to avoid potential conflict by researching existing business names as thoroughly as possible.
Federal trademark registration of your business name may be worthwhile if you want to be certain it doesn’t infringe on someone else’s use of the name as well as protect the name from infringement by others. You’ll want to avoid having to change your name because it infringes on another business name, particularly if you will be spending money for name recognition. You can start your research at the US Patent & Trademark Office web site.
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6. Business entity (incorporate)
Determine which business entity will serve your new business best. The process of choosing between a sole proprietorship, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, c corporation, s corporation and a limited liability company (LLC) involves much more than one would at first think.
To help you make the right decision, we have prepared Questions for You – When Choosing a Business Entity. We think you’ll also be helped by the detailed comparisons in our Overview of Business Entities.
7. Financing
Whether you’re looking to start, run or grow your small business, sooner or later, most owners must seek out business financing. There are many different business funding options out there including bank loans, business credit lines, cash advances, investors, crowdfunding, grants, competition awards, even family and friends. Before you decide to pursue any form of business financing, consult with your attorney and accountant first to make sure you’re choosing the right funding option for you.
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8. Federal Tax Identification Number (EIN)
You should obtain your EIN by submitting IRS Form SS-4 to the Internal Revenue Service. It will be used to identify your business in any number of transactions and will be needed to open a bank account. MaxFilings offers both Federal Tax ID Preparation and Federal Tax ID Obtainment.
9. Bank account
You will want to open a checking account for the business. You will need your Federal Tax Identification Number (EIN) to do this.
10. Licenses, permits & compliance
Find out what licenses and permits will be required, and make certain you will be able to obtain them. Also, ensure you’re staying compliant with industry and government requirements (i.e. unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, OSHA, payroll tax requirements, self-employment taxes, etc.).
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11. Insurance
Determining what insurance will be required and making certain you can be covered is something that should be done early on. It’s sometimes even necessary to discontinue plans for a new business because required insurance coverage is either unavailable or will cost too much.
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12. Contracts & agreements
All written customer agreements and contracts that are needed should be ready before you open for business. Depending upon the product or service, you should address a number of issues such as prices, shipping charges, installation, training, payment terms, late fees, collection costs, returns, guarantees, warranties, implied warranties disclaimer, etc.
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13. Location
Identify and compare possible locations for the business. Don’t forget to consider zoning requirements as well as any taxes, licenses and permits that may be based on the business location. You don’t necessarily have to incorporate in the state where your headquarters are located.
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14. Employees
Establish and set forth your employee policies as soon possible. Prepare non-compete, non-disclosure, and any other agreements employees may be expected to enter into. Review both state and federal laws relative to payroll taxes, workers’ compensation insurance, and other employment requirements. Obtain all of the forms that will be needed as well as notices you’re required to display.
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15. Branding
Product promotion usually accounts for a large portion of business advertising dollars. The more dollars spent promoting a product, the more advisable it is to make sure the name is available and then federally register the name and/or logo.
16. Intellectual property
Identify and determine if and how you should protect any valuable intangible or intellectual property the business will have. Consider things such as product or service names, logos, inventions, formulas, computer programs, or other confidential information.
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