Starting a New Business Checklist
Before opening the doors for your new business, I can help you save a lot of wasted time and money. Carefully read through this checklist for starting a new business, take detailed notes of items you need to take action on, and then get to work completing your new homework assignment! Be sure to contact me if you have any questions I can help you with.

Before you open your doors, here are the steps you must take for starting your new business:
* So… You’re thinking about starting a new business. Why? (Exit plan)
* Choosing your Accountant, Lawyer and Financial Planner
* Choosing your business entity and why that is important
* Choosing a name for your business
* Setting up a Board of Directors (or an Advisory Board)
* Creating a long-term Business Plan
* Choosing a location for your business
* Lease versus purchase for your business location?
* Starting the marketing process
* Funding your business (Business loan, personal loan, investment money??)
* Opening a bank account (and what not to put in your bank account)
* Getting a business license
* Setting up your company for payroll (with the IRS, State of GA, Dept. of Labor)
* Setting up Sales Taxes if they will apply to your situation
* Insurance and why you need it
* Signage (critical marketing component for starting a new business)
* The importance of an internet presence
* Getting your IT needs set up
* Setting up your accounting system
* Getting set up on credit cards
* Hiring your staff (Employees or Contract??)

After you open your doors and feel you’ve implemented the initial steps for starting a new business, here are the items you should start focusing on:
* Network Marketing
* Other Marketing (Direct Marketing and Targeted Marketing)
* Knowing where you got your new clients
* Staying in touch with your clients in Meaningful Ways
* Entering your data into your accounting system (Income and Expenses)
* Entering your budget (from your Business Plan) into your accounting system
* Reviewing your data (and how it compares to your Business Plan / Budget)
* Meeting with your Board of Directors/Advisory Board (and recording the minutes)
* Revising your Business Plan
* Staying Compliant (taxes, legal, etc.)
* Repeat all of the last 10 steps often!!

As a U.S. Patent Attorney, I’ve helped secure over 160 million in funding for startup small business all the way up to publicly traded companies. Will YOUR COMPANY be next? Contact me to learn more.