The
business start-up checklist below is meant to remind you of the tasks you may have to perform
when
starting your business.
Not
every small business will have to complete each step. For instance, you may
decide not to register your trademark with state or federal officials. Or,
you may not be required to publish a notice of intent to do business.
Since
laws vary by state and by type of business, be sure to check with local
authorities to determine if there are any additional legal steps you need
to take.
Choose
a business based on your skills and interests
Research
the business idea
-
What will you sell
- Is it legal
- Who will buy it and how often
- Are you willing to do what it takes to sell the product
- What will it cost to produce, advertise, sell & deliver
- With what laws will you have to comply
- Can you make a profit
- How long will it take to make a profit
Choose
a location for the business or make space in the house for it
Check
zoning laws
File
partnership or corporate papers
Get
any required business licenses or permits
Reserve
your
corporate name if you will be incorporating
Register
or reserve state or federal trademark
Register
copyrights
Apply
for patent if you will be marketing an invention
Order
any required notices (advertisements you have to place) of your intent
to do business in the community
Have
business phone or extra residential phone lines installed
Check
into business insurance needs
Find
out about health insurance if you will not have coverage under a
spouse
Get
adequate business insurance or a business rider to a homeowner's
policy Send out publicity releases
Apply
for sales tax number if needed
Get
tax information such as record keeping requirements, information on
withholding taxes if you will have employees, information on hiring
independent contractors, facts about estimating taxes, forms of
organization, etc.
Call
Department of Labor to determine labor laws if you have employees.
Apply
for employee identification number if you will have employees
Find
out about workers' compensation if you will have employees
The information compiled on this site is
Copyright 1999-2008 by Attard Communications, Inc. and by the individual authors.
Business Know-How is a woman-owned business and a registered trademark of Attard Communications, Inc.
Phone: 631-467-8883.