Going out on your own? Start it right.
You know the work. This is everything else: the setup, the paperwork and the back end that gets you hired. Do it in this order and you won't pay to redo any of it later.
Eight steps from idea to first paid job.
General guidance, not legal or tax advice. Rules vary by state, so check with your state and a professional where it matters.
- 01Learn how
Pick a name and check it's free
Search your state's business registry, the trademark database and the domain you want before you print anything.
- 02Learn how
Form the business
Decide between a sole proprietorship and an LLC, register with your state, and get an EIN from the IRS for free.
- 03Learn how
Get insured
General liability at a minimum, plus commercial auto and workers' comp as your situation requires.
- 04Learn how
Set your prices
Price from your real costs and your market, with a minimum charge that keeps small jobs worth doing.
- 05Learn how
Get your domain, email and number
you@yourcompany.com and a business phone number, so you never hand out your personal cell or a Gmail address.
- 06Learn how
Get found
A Google Business Profile and a simple, fast website with your services, your area and a way to request a quote.
- 07Learn how
Quote, invoice and get paid online
A CRM with quotes customers approve online, invoices they pay by card or bank, and every customer saved for next season.
- 08Learn how
Answer every call
Missed-call text back at minimum, and an AI receptionist once the phone rings more than you can answer.
Want help with the marketing? See which marketing agencies take new companies, and which say no.
Your whole back end, in one launch.
Domain, email, phone number, Business Profile, website, CRM with online payments, and a logo if you need one. Set up right, in your name, before your first customer calls.
Get your free launch planHow to start a…
You do the jobs. We'll build the rest.
Get a free launch plan: everything a new service business needs, set up right and in the right order.
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