This checklist will hopefully give you a guide to some of the stages involved in starting up.
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Choose a Business Type – Once you are clear about what your start-up will be, try to also think about an appropriate catchy business name
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File a ‘Doing Business As’ (DBA) Form – This form (also known as ‘trading as’ in many countries) will allow you to open a business bank account
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Open a Business Checking Account – Look around for a bank that is sympathetic to the needs of a small start-up
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Write a Marketing Plan – It is useful to have a strategy about how you plan to promote your business once it launches
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Brush up on Accounting Techniques – You can use the free accounting software within OnlineOffice
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Contact the Small Business Administration – If you are in the United States , the SBA may be able to assist you by providing advice or even a loan
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Consider Further Education - If there are some areas of business you are unsure about, you may find it helpful to attend classes at a local college
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Visit a Bookshop – It can be handy to collect a library of business books over the years to inspire you or as a source of reference
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Create a Business Plan – This will not only aid you in borrowing money from banks but also exists as a road-map to keep your business on track
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Decide Long-Term Goals – Think about where you want your business to be in five or ten years from now and keep these goals in mind when you make strategic decisions
