Checklist for Starting a New Business

Starting a business can be exciting but it can also be a bit overwhelming; from focusing your idea and seeking funding to setting up the right structure, through to marketing and customer development. Below is a checklist I have compiled to help you alleviate the anxiety of starting a new business. If you have already started your business, going through this checklist will ensure you have not forgotten anything. I wish you success!

Conceive your business

• Focus your idea
• Research your idea
• Choosing a business name
• Writing a business plan

Structure your business

• Choosing an organization type
• Consulting with professionals
• Setting up your financial systems

Prepare all necessary forms, permits, and licenses

• Overview of federal, state, and local requirements
• File company papers with the secretary of state's office
• Obtain a federal tax identification number
• Register your business name
• Obtain all the necessary licenses and permits
• Fulfill all employer requirements
• Secure intellectual property

Fund your business

• Using your own assets to fund your business
• Borrow from friends and family
• Borrow from a bank
• Check with minority or women's organizations
• Apply for a grant
• Find other investment or funding source

Taxes and Insurance

• Fulfill all tax requirements
• Keep detailed record of all deductible expenditures
• Obtain business insurance

• How Do I Start a New
  Company in QuickBooks?
• Where Should I Save
  My Company Files?
• What is a Peer-To-Peer Network?
• What is a Client-Server Network?
• How Do I Export
  Specific Data from One
  Company to Another in QuickBooks?
• How Do I Import
  Specific Data from One
  Company to Another in QuickBooks?
• How Do I Navigate
  to Each Company in
  QuickBooks?

Customer

• How Do I Set Up a
  New Customer in QuickBooks?
• How Do I Add a
  Customer Job in QuickBooks?
• How Do I Create an
  Invoice in QuickBooks?
• How Do I Record a
  Customer Payment for
  an Invoice?
• How Do I Check
  Customer Balance in
  QuickBooks?
• How Do I Generate
  Customer Statement
  in QuickBooks?

Banking

• How Do I Set Up a
  Bank Account in QuickBooks?
• How Do I Reconcile a
  Bank Account in QuickBooks?
• How Do I Correct My
  Opening Balance to Reconcile My Bank Account in QuickBooks?
• How Do I Write a
  Check in QuickBooks?
• How Do I Pay a Bill
  in QuickBooks?
• What is the Difference
  Between Writing a
  Check and Making a
  Bill Payment?

Vendor

• How Do I Set Up a
  New Vendor in QuickBooks?
• How Do I Enter
  Bills in QuickBooks?
• How Do I Enter Bill
  Payments in QuickBooks?
• How Do I Check
  Vendor Balance in
  QuickBooks?
• How Do I Generate
  Vendor Aging Report
  in QuickBooks?

Employees

• How to Setup Your Employees Files in QuickBooks
• How to Process and Print Payroll Checks in QuickBooks?
• How to Setup Employees Timesheets in QuickBooks
• How to Setup an Employee in QuickBooks Online
• How to Print Employees Paychecks in QuickBooks

Taxes

• How Do I Generate Form NYS-45 in QuickBooks?
• How Do I Generate Form 941 in QuickBooks?
• How Do I Generate Form 940 in QuickBooks?