How to Start a Small Business Checklist

This is an article on how to start a small business check list.

Instructions

1. Step 1) Since I've started a few small businesses and since I've helped a few people start small businesses, I thought I'd write an article on the checklist for small business start up. The first step is RESEARCH. Research comprehensively the small business you are going to start.

2. Step 2) The second step is writing a BUSINESS PLAN. Write a doable business plan for the first year of your small business. Include your business vision, description of products and services, ownership breakdown, monthly income, and monthly expenses.

3. Step 3) The third step is writing a MARKETING PLAN. Who will you be marketing to (your demographics)? What will be the marketing tactics you use to go after that demographic? How are you going to track which tactics work and which ones don't? All these questions need to be answered.

4. Step 4) The fourth step is getting a BUSINESS LICENSE. Go to your business licensing office and get your business license. Decide upon the name for your small business and whether it will be a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, LLP, corporation, etc. Have all partners sign the business license.

5. Step 5) The fifth step is going to your bank and OPENING A BUSINESS BANK ACCOUNT. Remember to keep your personal and business funds separate.

6. Step 6) The sixth step is GETTING YOUR BUSINESS OFFICE SET UP. Get your desk together, your filing cabinets, your contracts, your computer, your fax, your business phone line, etc. set up. Rent will be dependent upon whether you want to run the business out of your home or not.

7. Step 7) The seventh step is getting INSURANCE. You need business insurance--how much you need is up to you and your particular business.

8. Step 8) The eighth step is HIRING EMPLOYEES AND INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS. Make sure you background check all qualified applicants before hire.

9. Step 9) The ninth step is formulating your BUSINESS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. This will make your business more efficient.

10. Step 10) The tenth step is to start marketing your business and selling your products and services. Good luck to you!