Startup Checklist

A phase-by-phase guide to launching your business the right way. Check off each item as you complete it — your progress is saved in this session.

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Phase 1 — Ideation & Clarity

Write a one-sentence description of what your business does and who it serves

Identify your top 3 competitors and what makes you different

Define your target customer (age, location, income, needs)

Choose a business name (check availability at USPTO.gov and your state's business registry)

Create a basic social media handle (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn — consistent name)

Decide on your business entity type (Sole Prop, LLC, S-Corp, etc.)

Apply for an EIN (Employer Identification Number) at IRS.gov — free

Open a dedicated business bank account

Research any licenses or permits required in your city/state/industry (SBA License Lookup)

Create a simple operating agreement or business structure document

Develop a logo (professional or DIY via Canva, Looka, etc.)

Choose 2–3 brand colors and 1–2 fonts

Design basic business cards

Set up a professional email address (yourname@yourbusiness.com) (Protonmail, Zoho Mail, DreamHost, InMotion Hosting, etc)

Create or update your LinkedIn profile as a business owner

Choose an invoicing/accounting tool (Wave, QuickBooks, FreshBooks)

Set up a system for tracking expenses and income

Write a simple contract or service agreement template

Create a basic price list or service menu

Set up a method to collect payments (PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.)

Build or plan your website (even a simple one-pager) (Wix, Squarespace, WordPress)

Draft your first social media posts (3–5 ready to go)

Tell 10 people in your network what you're building

Set a launch date or soft-launch milestone

Schedule a weekly "CEO hour" — time to work ON the business, not just in it

Ready to go deeper? Build your full Business Profile.