STARTUP CHECKLIST

The following checklist is a general guide to remind you of what you could do to prepare yourself. It may not have everything YOU need to start your business, so it is important to personalize it for your endeavors.

The IRS provides this free guide to help navigate the legal side of starting a business.

  1. Determine your products and/or services

  • Is your product in demand?

  • What is your price point?

  • What kind of audience do you want to cater to?


  1. Create a business plan

  • Write an executive summary. This is a statement primarily used as a business proposal.

  • Write a company description to share your mission with customers and clients.

  • Conduct a market analysis to determine what your target audience is looking for.

  • Finalize plans for products and services.

  • Design a marketing plan. What socials will you focus on? Which socials would work best for your business? Read our guide here.

  • Create a logistics and operations plan. Where will you get supplies from? Who will run what parts of the business?

  • Design a financial plan. How will funds be distributed?


  1. Create a sales pitch

  • What about your product makes it different/necessary/useful/needed/etc.

  • Again, who are you targeting? Why?


  1. Follow the IRS article for legal business startup resources

  • Obtain an EIN

  • Decide on a business structure - Nonprofit? LLC? Other?

  • Obtain necessary licenses and permits

  • File for any necessary copyrights or patents

  • Decide if you need insurance for your products

  • Set up a bank account


  1. Design forward-facing media channels and elements

  • Design a logo

  • Build a website

  • Set up socials - Tiktok, Instagram, Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, etc.


  1. Create and distribute business materials as necessary

  • Business Cards

  • Brochures

  • Fliers

  • Banners

  • Billboards

  • Digital ads


  1. Finalize details

  • Begin posting to socials

  • Determine launch date

  • Finalize products

  • Wrap up any other last minute details


Add onto this list as necessary and have fun building your business! If you need help with building websites, creating social content, designing business materials, or managing social media, check out our contact page for more information about what we offer.