This is the checklist I wish someone had handed me before my first business. Work through it in order. Do not skip Phase 1.
Phase 1: Get Clear Before You Build Anything
This phase costs nothing and takes as long as it takes.
- Define your offer — Be specific. Not "marketing help" but "social media management for product-based small businesses."
- Define your ideal client — Who exactly is this for? Write it out in detail. You'll use it everywhere.
- Validate your idea — Have at least five conversations with people who match your ideal client before you build anything.
- Define your pricing — Price for sustainability. Can you maintain this business at this price without burning out?
Phase 2: Legal and Financial Foundation
- Choose your business structure (sole prop, LLC, S-Corp)
- Register your business
- Get your EIN (free from the IRS)
- Open a dedicated business bank account
- Talk to an accountant
- Set up income/expense tracking (Wave or QuickBooks)
- Set aside money for taxes from every payment
- Get a client contract
Phase 3: Your Digital Infrastructure
- Secure your domain name and hosting
- Set up your professional email address
- Build your website (Home, About, Services, Contact, Blog)
- Set up Google Analytics + Search Console
- Create and verify your Google Business Profile
- Set up your email marketing platform and a lead magnet
- Set up 2 social media profiles
- Install Meta Pixel
Phase 4: Brand Foundation
- Finalize your logo
- Define your brand kit (logo, colors, fonts, voice)
- Write your core copy (one-liner, elevator pitch, tagline)
Phase 5: Operations and Client Experience
- Set up a way to get paid (Stripe, Square, PayPal Business)
- Create an intake and onboarding process
- Set up booking/scheduling and project management
Phase 6: Launch Preparation
- Tell people you exist
- Make your first offer
- Ask for feedback, not perfection
- Document everything
The businesses that exist in the world are not the ones with the perfect checklist. They're the ones where someone said let's try it and meant it.
Phase 3 is the part that stops most people. It's also the part we do for you. A professional email address, Google Business Center, Analytics, and Search Console come with every tier of Your Business, Built — email platform, Meta Pixel, and the rest of the infrastructure as you go up. Two focused weeks. Take the quiz.