✅ New Business Startup Checklist
Everything it takes to go from idea to first customer, in order. Print it and tick the boxes — or save it as a PDF and keep it on your desktop.
Startup Checklist
Business: ______________________________ · Target launch date: ____________
1. Idea & validation
- Write your idea as one sentence: who you help and how.
- Confirm a real, painful problem people will pay to solve.
- Talk to 10 potential customers — listen, don't pitch.
- Check the competition and find your angle.
- Get 1–3 people to pre-commit (a deposit, signup, or “yes I'd buy”).
- Decide your pricing and confirm the math works.
2. Legal & admin
- Choose a structure (sole prop, LLC, or S-corp).
- Pick and check a business name (domain + state registry + socials).
- Register the business / file your LLC if needed.
- Get an EIN from the IRS (free).
- Check local licenses and permits required for your work.
- Look into business insurance if there's any liability.
3. Money
- Open a separate business bank account.
- Set up a simple bookkeeping system or spreadsheet.
- Set aside 25–30% of profit for taxes from day one.
- Set up a way to get paid (invoicing, Stripe, Square, etc.).
- Estimate your startup costs and required runway.
4. Brand & online presence
- Buy your domain and a matching email address.
- Create a simple logo and pick your colors.
- Build a one-page website that explains the offer and how to buy.
- Claim your social handles and (if local) a Google Business Profile.
- Write a clear, benefit-led description of what you do.
5. First customers
- List 20 people or businesses who might buy.
- Reach out personally to the first 10.
- Post your offer where your customers already hang out.
- Deliver your first job and ask for a review + referral.
- Track what worked and double down on it.