Business Checklist

1.  Figure out what Type of Business you want to Have.  Do you have a specific niche you want to sell.  Do you have a certain hobby, or craft you, you’d be passionate about selling.  The key here is to find a product that you would like to sell.  Think of it this way, sell something that you would buy.

2.  You need to write a business plan, that sounds complicate but its not.  Just surf the web, and you’ll find lots of guides to writing a business plan.  This is your opportunity to write your goals on paper, and set up a foundation of idea’s you can go by to achieve success

You’ll Need to Create a Budget

Make a List of Office Supplies you’ll Need ( Computer, Printer, Camera, etc)

Marketing Budget ( Remember use the smaller local papers to start out with, The larger more distributed payers can be very costly for a new business.

3.  Come up with a Name for Your Business ( A name that will identify what you Do)

4.  Apply for a State Sales Tax ID, State Resale Certificate, Federal Tax ID #

5.  Get a Separate Phone Number for Your Business, This is key, That way when every you answer the phone, you know its a business call. 

6.  Next Create Business Cards, About 500 cards will cost $50.00 ( Make sure you have a 80# card stock or higher, This is an impression of your business.)

7.  Create and Set up an Efficient Office, You’ll Need a Computer Desk, Shelves, A Table, to use in taking photo’s and a Shipping Area.

8.  Create a website.  This is you Internet Business Card ( Squidoo.com is a great site)

9.  Let People know who you are.  Create Tear Sheets, and Flyers.  Post tear sheets in grocery stores, yes this works and its very inexpensive advertising.  Advertise – remember you have to spend money to make money.  (don’t get carried away, have a advertising budget, and follow it)

10.  Create a Simple Press Release, You can do a press release on Yahoo for $80 and get lots of top placement for doing so

11.  Next Find Products to sell ( Refer to our Wholesale Page for lots of Great Companies)