You've formed your business—congratulations! Now comes the critical first 30 days where you set up the foundation for success. This checklist walks you through exactly what to do, in the right order, so nothing falls through the cracks.
1 Week 1: Legal Foundation
Get Your EIN
Free from IRS.gov. Takes 5 minutes. You'll need this for everything.
Apply at IRS.gov →Create Operating Agreement
Even for single-member LLCs. Documents ownership, profit distribution, and procedures.
Register for State/Local Taxes
Sales tax permit if selling goods, payroll tax account if hiring employees.
Get Business License
City/county general business license. Usually $50-300.
Check Industry Permits
Food service, contractors, health/beauty often need special permits or licenses.
2 Week 2: Financial Setup
Open Business Bank Account
Bring EIN, LLC documents, ID. Many banks offer free business checking.
Get Business Credit Card
Keeps expenses separate and builds business credit. Start with a secured card if needed.
Set Up Accounting System
Wave (free), QuickBooks, or FreshBooks. Track income and expenses from day 1.
Get Business Insurance
General liability at minimum. Compare quotes at Next, Thimble, or Hiscox.
Set Up Payment Processing
Square, Stripe, or PayPal. Accept cards online and in-person.
3 Week 3: Operations
Get Business Phone Number
Google Voice (free) or a dedicated line. Separates business from personal.
Set Up Business Email
name@yourbusiness.com looks professional. Google Workspace starts at $6/month.
Create Contracts/Invoices
Templates for proposals, contracts, and invoices. Many accounting apps include these.
Order Supplies/Equipment
Business cards, equipment, software, inventory—whatever you need to operate.
Set Up Record Keeping
Folder system (physical or digital) for receipts, contracts, licenses.
4 Week 4: Marketing & Launch
Claim Google Business Profile
Free and essential for local businesses. Shows up in Google Maps and search.
Launch Website
Even a simple one-page site. Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress.
Set Up Social Media
At minimum: Facebook page. Consider Instagram, LinkedIn based on your industry.
Set Pricing
Research competitors, calculate costs, determine your rates/prices.
Get Your First Customer! 🎉
Reach out to your network, post on social media, or try local advertising.
Complete Checklist (At a Glance)
Week 1: Legal
- ☐ Get EIN
- ☐ Create Operating Agreement
- ☐ Register for taxes
- ☐ Get business license
- ☐ Check industry permits
Week 2: Financial
- ☐ Open bank account
- ☐ Get business credit card
- ☐ Set up accounting
- ☐ Get insurance
- ☐ Set up payments
Week 3: Operations
- ☐ Get business phone
- ☐ Set up email
- ☐ Create contracts
- ☐ Order supplies
- ☐ Organize records
Week 4: Marketing
- ☐ Claim Google Business
- ☐ Launch website
- ☐ Set up social media
- ☐ Set pricing
- ☐ Get first customer!
Know your startup costs before you begin
Calculate Costs