Prepare to Open For Business

Company Name

Check your local laws for rules about business names.
Choosing a name that includes your own name,
is usually the easiest. You won't have much worry
about it being the same name that another business has.
Sometimes you won't even have to register it.

Look for "fictitious name" laws. Your city government
will have the information you need. Many state governments
have laws concerning this, as well. Check to see if your state has
a website with this information. Many times, your local
Chamber of Commerce will have helpful publications on starting
and naming a business.

If you use a DBA (doing business as) business name, usually
you have to file it with your city or county clerk, or publish it in
a local newspaper's legal notice section.

The name you choose will have to be in accord
with the business type you choose;
ie.: you can't use Inc. in the name, unless you have formed a corporation.

Checking Account

You should open a checking account that
is dedicated to your business. It will help you
if there are ever any dealings with the IRS,
in establishing that you are, indeed a business.

Many banks have low cost special accounts for small businesses.

Credit Card

In this day and age, it really is necessary to have
a credit card to run a business.

Either pay off one you already have,
or apply for a new one - and then begin to use it
only for business purposes.

Daily Planner

You will be much more efficient if you have a daily plan.
A planning book will help you keep organized
and make the most of your time.
It will also be a good business diary for your tax records.

Keep it with you at all times. Plan your activities there,
to enable you to reach your goals.

Try to establish daily working hours, that you will record there.

If you do much of your work by computer,
there are computer versions of daily planners available also.

Business Plan

There are numerous software programs to help you
to write a business plan. There is on-line help in writing
a business plan, as well.

A business plan states your business purpose, goals, methods,
financial objectives, key personnel and duties, financing, etc.

A simple, small home business can create a plan that
will be only 2 or 3 pages in length. It can then be reworked
and expanded as the business grows.

Set Up Your Communication Systems

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Prepare to Open For Business - Set Up Your Communication Systems - "Construct" Your Office

Do Simple Accounting 101 - Prepare Marketing-the Lifeblood of Your Business - Know the IRS!

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