First of all, you need to produce a Business Plan which should include the following:-

• Plan your sources of financial capital.
• Plan your sources of goods or services.
• Plan your marketing efforts.
• Try to calculate if your plan will produce a profit.
• Read as much literature on your type of business.
• Research and read all relevant laws and regulations relating to your business.

You should now decide which business name you will use. You need to check other business names and trademarks and then register your name and if necessary any trademarks.

Complete a SS4 Inland Revenue Service (IRS) Employer Identification Number (EIN) form (e-mail us for SS4 form).

You now need to select a Lawyer, accountant, Bank or Banking Institution, Insurance Agent and Business Insurance.

Order Business Cards and Letterheads.

Obtain a business license or permit from the city hall or county office building.

Having checked which licenses you require, you should select a bank which will provide you with any loans, checking or credit card processing services.

Select a Year End Date.

Corporations hold an organizational meeting where:-

• Bylaws are adopted (sample bylaws in corporate kit).
• A Board of Directors is elected.
• Share certificates should be distributed to shareholders once purchased and these transactions should be recorded on the corporation's stock ledger.
• Company members and/or managers and officers are elected.
• Any corporate business that needs attention is addressed.
• Record Minutes.

LLC should have an organizational meeting where:-

• An operating agreement is adopted.
• Membership certificates are distributed.
• Other preliminary matters are completed.
• Company members and/or managers elected.

In some states, publishing is required of your operation or LLC.

If selecting S-Corporation status, file form 2553 with the IRS within 75 days.

Obtain a lease for furniture and equipment and contact any other suppliers.

Some states such as Nevada require a list of officers and directors to be filed with the state.

Establish a presence on the internet.

You now need to obtain any insurance policies which are necessary in your line of business. You should investigate each of the following:-

• Health.
• Liability.
• Workers Compensation.
• Life Disability.
• Hazard.
• Automobile.

Having obtained the required insurance policies you may need to file any federal or state tax registrations.

Establish a line of credit and any other financing.

Once you have registered the business name you need to choose the form of your business and prepare and file all organizational papers, this should include the preparation and filing of any fictitious names where necessary.

You now need to select the most appropriate business location dependent on the following:-

• Rental charge.
• Your income.
• Zoning.
• Competition.
• Accessibility.

Once you have selected a suitable location you have to determine any necessary licenses for your business, including any city, county, state or federal licenses.

You now need to obtain any insurance policies which are necessary in your line of business. You should investigate each of the following:-

• Health.
• Liability.
• Workers Compensation.
• Life Disability.
• Hazard.
• Automobile.

If your business requires the hiring of any employees you will need to carry out the following:-

• Prepare any employment policies.
• Prepare any employment applications.
• Obtain any new hire tax forms.
• Research all necessary health and safety laws.

And finally, as we said earlier, preparation is the key to success. You need to carefully plan the opening of your business. This should include:-

• Carry out a thorough marketing/publicity campaign.
• Obtain all necessary equipment and supplies.
• Obtain all necessary paperwork.