Where do I start?

Congratulations on opening your new business or expanding your current one! We know from experience that this is an exciting and busy time for you. By this time you know the product or services that you want to sell, but there is so much more to do before opening a new business location than just having a product or service in mind. Whether you know it or not, you're looking for Smart Biz Choices and experienced mentors to get you started off right. We've got them!

Once you start entertaining the idea of opening a new business, it feels like you have a million decisions to make. You may already have a job working for someone else, and are setting up your own business in the few hours you have left in the evening. Without a little research, proper planning, a clear head, and some quality time to put into setting up this new business, you could be steering toward a bumpy road right from the start.

There are several basic steps that you need to take to be sure that the foundation you start with is not something you will need to tear up and rebuild later. Having to add things that you should have considered, didn’t know about, or skimped on in the beginning, interrupts the flow of your business and may spell disaster later. In any venture of this magnitude, pre-planning and starting capital is the key.

Listed below are some things to consider in the pre-planning stages of your business

(not necessarily in order):

• Decide on a business name
• Set up a business entity (Sole Proprietorship, Corporation, LLC, etc.)
• Design a logo for your business cards, sign, web site, etc.
• Set up a bank account for your business entity
• Set up a merchant account to accept credit cards
• Get QuickBooks or some type of accounting software
• Set up QuickBooks for Accounts Payable / Receivable, Inventory, etc.
• Find a location for your new business
• Negotiate the lease
• Have the lease checked by an attorney before signing
• Obtain a site name (URL / www._________.com)
• Set up a basic web site with a business address to let people know you are opening soon
• Design a lighted sign, have it permitted, built, and installed (Plan on 4-6 weeks to build / install)
• Get flooring for newly leased space if not already installed
• Get Certificate of Occupancy if newly built out space
• Get window graphics installed
• Acquire vinyl for tenant panels on monument signs
• Get POS software
• Order business furniture and fixtures
• Find vendors for products and place orders
• Obtain an indoor neon or LED “Open” sign
• Get a doorbell
• Obtain some type of Customer Relationship (CRM) Database program
• Set up a Blog
• Consider vehicle graphics, swooper signs and grand opening materials
• Check out rate sheets for local newspapers
• Consider joining your local Chamber of Commerce for networking and credibility
• Order a GRAND OPENING banner
• Stock shelves, enter inventory, hire staff
• Get ready for opening day!