Starting your own business is a fantastic milestone in life, but it will take you some time and effort to open it. There are proven steps that you should take if you want to start a business. So, let’s see which are those steps and what you can do to create a successful business in 2022.
Business Idea
The very first step is finding a good business idea. You probably already have an idea in mind, but you need to develop it. You can approach this task systematically and perform a thorough market analysis. This will help you establish how big demand is for your business and how big the competition is.
Come up with a Business Plan
Writing a business plan helps you formalize the idea and streamline your business creation process. This task makes you sit down and think about all the necessary things methodically. Also, you can gain more insight into the “known unknowns” and this is highly important since you can actively prioritize tasks. So, when coming up with your business plan, make sure it has these elements:
- Company name and its description
- Market analysis
- Management and organization of the company
- Products and/or services
- Customer segmentation
- Marketing and financial plan
- Logistics and operations plan
Find Finances
While you are creating your business plan, it will help you figure out how much money you need to start the business. There are various sources of funding, the most perfect being you funding your business yourself. However, since that is now always possible, there are other ways to find funds.
Firstly, you can apply for business loans at the bank. The biggest factor here will be your credit score. If you are not certain how good it is, you can always apply for a credit score inquiry and get that checked and cleaned up if needed. Then, you can take your business plan to the bank and go through the process of applying for a business loan.
Additionally, you can apply for business grants. These are often given to target businesses and are based on a lot of factors (veteran-owned, specific for-profit, minority-owned, etc.). Some other sources of funding for your new business also include:
- Crowdfunding
- Personal investors
- Shopify Capital
Choosing a Business Structure
You have several options to choose from when it comes to business structure. You need to choose the right one for your business and this is about balancing the legal and financial protection. This decision will be of utmost importance, so make sure to choose carefully before you launch your business.
There are several business structures, and they may vary based on your country, but the common types include sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation.
Federal and State Tax IDs
A federal tax ID, or an employer identification number (EIN), is a number that IRS assigns to the business for tax purposes. You will need to apply for a federal tax ID if your business has any employees, if it is incorporated, if there are any partners and if you take over an existing business. Also, this tax ID is needed if you have a retirement plan, if you want to open a bank account since most banks ask for this number, and if you file for bankruptcy.
Also, the EIN will help you file taxes, it will provide legal protection, help with protecting your personal information and establish credit.
On the other hand, the state tax ID is separate from the EIN, and this ID is assigned by your state. It has a similar purpose as EIN and it will help your business comply with the state laws. Also, you will have to do research on your state’s laws and see how you can obtain the state tax ID.
Obtain Necessary Business License and Permits
In order for your business to run legally, you will have to obtain a license and permits. Once you have a full understanding of what your business is going to look like, you should research local, state, and federal licenses needed to operate a business legally. You can even find a small business lawyer to help you out with this. Your business is subject to the laws governing business in your area, and it is subject to laws and regulations that are specific to your industry.
These are the most important steps you should take when starting your own business. Make sure to do a lot of research, obtain all licenses and permits, and always consult with professionals for help.
Author’s Bio
Journalist graduate, travel aficionado, and someone with endless curiosity. Lives in San Francisco, and enjoys reading, cooking, and comedy songs.
“Run from what’s comfortable. Be notorious”
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