Start a Business

Starting a small business in the US comes down to the same handful of decisions, whatever the industry: what to sell and at what price, what it costs to open, which licenses and insurance you need, and where your first customers will come from. The guides below are grouped by industry, and each one walks through those decisions for that type of business.

The seven steps every new business goes through

  1. Pick a business you can price profitably. Check what local competitors charge and whether that covers your time, materials and overhead.
  2. Estimate your startup costs. List equipment, vehicle, tools, insurance, licensing fees, software and marketing, then add a cash cushion for the first months.
  3. Choose a structure and register. Many owners start as a sole proprietor; others form an LLC to separate business and personal liability. See Business Setup.
  4. Get a federal tax ID (EIN). It is free from the IRS and needed if you hire employees or open many business bank accounts.
  5. Get the right licenses, permits and insurance. Requirements depend on your trade, your state and your city or county.
  6. Open a business bank account and set up bookkeeping so income, expenses and taxes stay separate from your personal money. See Pricing & Money.
  7. Set your prices and win your first customers. See Get Customers.

Guides by industry

Home and trade services

All home and trade services guides

Cleaning

All cleaning guides

Auto and transport

All auto and transport guides

Food and events

All food and events guides

Rentals and hospitality

All rentals and hospitality guides

Care services

All care services guides

Retail and products

All retail and products guides

Other business ideas

All other business ideas guides

Licensing, permit and insurance rules differ by state, county and city, and they change. Always confirm current requirements with your state licensing board and local government before you start. This content is general information, not legal or tax advice.

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