How to Start a Business in 10 Steps

Have you ever dreamed of carving out a corner of your own in the business world?

After all, there are countless reasons why future entrepreneurs like you want to start their business.
Maybe you…

• Want to increase your earning potential or have more time for your loved ones.
• Have a mission or passion that you want to fulfill in your own unique way and turn it into profit.
• Are holding on to an incredible, groundbreaking idea that can change your industry.

...or maybe it's something as simple as you never want to have your life run by an employer again.

Launching a new business brings so many exciting possibilities—and the freedom to shape your future by building the life you want.

Still, beginning a successful business is not easy. There are countless decisions to make and steps to take to get started on the right foot.

We've got you covered.

In this article, we will guide you through the essential phases of creating a business from scratch—from conducting in-depth market research to launching and growing your business. Each step is designed to give you the know-how to move you closer to your goals.

So, let’s get started with the tools you need to begin!

Step 1: Conduct Market Research

Before you launch your business, taking a step back and understanding the landscape you're entering is critical. That's where market research comes in.

Business ideas are great, but market research will guide every decision you make and back them up with informed data. Here are a few reasons you can't skip this process:

• Understanding Your Customers. To create products and messaging that will resonate with your customer base, you need to know who they are, what they need, what they value, and their purchasing behaviors.
• Identifying and Understanding Your Competitors. By knowing their strategies, strengths, and weaknesses, you can identify gaps in the market and differentiate your offerings from others.
• Risk Reduction. Market research provides data to help you make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes, such as launching a product that doesn’t meet market needs.
• Identifying Opportunities. You can spot emerging trends, technologies, and shifts in consumer preferences, which can lead to new opportunities for growth and innovation.
• Setting Realistic Targets. You can set achievable goals and project growth by understanding the market size and potential.
• Enhancing Marketing Strategies. Effective market research allows for more effective and cost-efficient marketing efforts that speak directly to your intended audience.

Market research doesn’t have to be overly complex or expensive. Here are a few quick and effective methods you can use:

• Online Surveys and Questionnaires
• Social Media
• Interviews
• Focus Groups
• Competitive Analysis
• Existing Research

You can adapt these methods to fit your time frame and budget, which makes market research very accessible.

Step 2: Write a Business Plan

A business plan is like a map for your business—it shows you where you want to go and how to get there. Here are the key elements that every business plan should include:

1. Executive Summary.This is a short overview of your entire business plan, and includes your business goals and the basic plans for reaching them.
2. Company Description.This should explain what your business does and what makes it different from others. It tells readers what your business is all about and why it’s special.
3. Market Analysis.Include your research about your industry, target market, and competitors. This helps readers understand where your business fits in and why you'll succeed.
4. Organization and Management. Describe what type of business entity (legal structure) your business falls under (sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation), and include an organizational chart so readers understand who's in key roles.
5. Products or Services.Provide details about what you’re selling or offering.
6. Marketing and Sales.This section explains (in detail) who your target market is and how you plan to attract and keep them.
7. Logistics and Operations. Include information about your key workflows, locations, suppliers, service providers, vendors, inventory, etc.
8. Financial Projections. In the end, readers (who may invest in your business) want to know that your dream is viable from a financial standpoint. Show a picture of what you expect your business to earn in the future.

A good business plan guides your business’s actions, will help you become far more attractive to investors, and paints a clear blueprint for your success.

Step 3: Choose a Business Structure

Choosing the best business structure for your business (from tech startup to e-commerce empire) is a key step because it affects everything from how you pay your taxes to your personal liability—even how much paperwork you have to do.

Here are the four main types of business structures and their benefits:

• Sole Proprietorship: This is the simplest business type. If you start a business alone and don’t register as anything else, you're a sole proprietor by default. It’s easy to set up, and you have full control. The downside is you face all the risks alone, including debts and liability.
• Corporation: This structure treats the business as a separate entity from its owners, providing the most protection from personal liability. However, it requires more regulations and taxes. It’s good for doing business when you need to attract investors, want liability protection, or want to create a clear separation between yourself and the business.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC): An LLC offers some protection from personal liability, like a corporation, but with less complexity. It’s flexible in taxes and good for medium-risk businesses.

Choosing the right structure depends on your business needs, risks, and goals. Think about what fits best for how you want to run your business and protect yourself.

Step 4: Register Your Business

To make your business official, you need to register it. Here’s a high-level overview of the process (keeping in mind that the exact steps will vary depending on your industry, the structure you choose, and your location):

1. Choose a Business Name. First, pick a unique name for your business. It should be something no other company uses in your state and complies with your state's business naming requirements. You can check this by searching in your state’s business database online.
2. Choose a Business Structure. Decide if your business will be a sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation. This decision will affect the registration process and the forms you need to complete (meaning you may need to register with your Secretary of State depending on your choice).
3. Register with State Authorities. Once you decide on your business name and structure, you need to register your business with your state. This usually means filling out some forms and paying a fee. You can often do this online through your state government's website.
4. Get an EIN: Many businesses need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, and you can apply for this online for free on the IRS website. It’s required if you want to hire employees, and many financial institutions will request it when you open a business bank account (like a business checking account) or request a business credit card.
5. Local Permits and Licenses. Depending on what your business does and where it’s located, you might need specific permits or licenses. Check with your city or county government to find out what’s required.

After these steps, your business will be officially registered and ready to go!

Step 5: Obtain Necessary Licenses and Permits

Depending on your industry and location, you may need various licenses and permits to operate legally. These can include:

• Business License.Sometimes required to operate in your city or county.
• Health Permits. Necessary if you’re handling food or healthcare products.
• Zoning Permits. Ensure your business location complies with local zoning laws.
• Sales Tax Permits. Required if you are selling goods.

Research your business's specific requirements and obtain all necessary licenses and permits before you launch to avoid fines and legal issues.

Step 6: Set Up Your Business Location

Choosing the right location for your business can be a challenge, but your business needs the right conditions to grow and thrive.

Here are some factors to consider and steps to follow when setting up your business location:

• Type of Business. Think about what kind of business you have. A cafe might need a busy street for lots of foot traffic, while a manufacturing business needs a big space away from crowded areas. If you plan to run your small business from home, that's valid, too!
• Customer Accessibility.Consider your customers — do they need to get to your location easily? Look for places with good transportation links, parking spaces, and visible signs.
• Competition. As part of your market research, review where your competitors are. Assess the types of locations they've chosen and consider your proximity. Setting up shop too close can bring challenges, but areas known for similar businesses can attract more customers.
• Space Needs.Ensure the space meets your operational needs, such as storage, office space, and customer areas.
• Cost.Consider the cost of renting or buying the space and other costs such as utilities and renovations.
• Legal Requirements.Some areas have rules about what kind of business can operate there. Make sure your location is zoned for your type of business.

Once you choose a spot, get the necessary permits and licenses, and get appropriate business insurance. Set up your utilities (like water and electricity) and prepare your space for opening. Decorate it to reflect your brand and make customers feel welcome. Now, your business location is ready to go.

Step 7: Finance Your Business

Most of us aren’t born with unlimited funds to throw at our dream business. That’s why securing funds is often a necessary step. After all, the startup costs for a business can be huge! Here are some common options:

• Personal Savings.Using your own money is one way to finance your business, but it’s limited to what you have saved, and you risk losing your money.
• Loans.Small business loans from banks or online lenders can provide significant funding but require good credit and collateral.
• Investors.You can attract investors by offering a share of your business. This can include venture capitalists or angel investors.
• Grants.Some government and private organizations offer grants for small businesses. These don’t need to be repaid but are often competitive.
• Crowdfunding.Raising small amounts of money from a large number of people through platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo.

Carefully consider your options and choose the best financing method for your business needs.

Step 8: Build Your Team

As your business grows, you may eventually be ready to hire employees. Here’s how to get started:

• Understand Labor Laws.Familiarize yourself with federal and state labor laws to ensure compliance.
• Create Job Descriptions.Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the positions you need to fill.
• Recruit and Interview.Advertise job openings and conduct interviews to find the right candidates.
• Set Up Payroll. Establish a payroll system to manage employee salaries, taxes, and benefits.
• Train Employees.Provide necessary training to help new hires understand their roles and perform their duties effectively.

Building the right team (and getting the right people on it) is essential for your business as you eventually grow and scale it.

Step 9: Develop Your Brand

The biggest brands in the world have one thing in common: they’ve carefully developed their brand so they stand out. Similarly, developing your business brand will help your business stand out and attract more customers. It gives your business a personality that helps it stand out and connect with people.

It's more than a logo or a name. It's about the feelings and thoughts that come to mind when someone hears about your business. Here's why branding is important and some tips on how you can create a strong brand identity:

Importance of Branding:

• A strong brand makes your business easily recognizable. This includes your logo, colors, and design that people see and immediately know it's your business.
• Good branding builds trust. When your business looks professional and consistent, people are more likely to trust it and feel comfortable buying from you
• Branding helps in marketing. It makes your advertisements and promotions more effective because they all have a consistent look and message.

Tips for Creating a Strong Brand Identity:

1. Define Your Values. Think about what your business stands for. What are your core values? This should be reflected in your branding.
2. Be Consistent. Use the same colors, fonts, and style in all your marketing materials. Consistency makes your brand more recognizable and reliable.
3. Know Your Audience. Understand who your customers are and what they like. This will help you create a brand that appeals to them.
4. Get Professional Help.Consider hiring a designer or using professional tools to create your logo and branding materials. A well-designed brand looks more professional.

By focusing on these aspects, you can create a brand identity that looks great and connects deeply with your customers, helping your business grow.

Step 10: Launch and Grow Your Business

Once you’ve completed the previous steps, it’s time to launch your business. Here are just a few ways to do it:

• Create a Launch Plan: Plan your launch activities, such as a grand opening event or promotional campaign.
• Advertise:Use various marketing channels to promote your launch and attract customers.
• Network:Build relationships with other businesses and potential customers to grow your network.

After launching, the next step is to focus on growing your business:

• Customer Feedback: Listen to your customers and use their feedback to improve your products or services.
• Expand Your Offerings: Introduce new products or services to attract more customers.
• Increase Your Reach: Expand to new locations or target new customer segments.
• Invest in Marketing: Continue to invest in marketing to reach a broader audience.

After you launch your business, be sure that you understand and keep up with your responsibilities as an entrepreneur, such as filing income tax, bookkeeping, and reporting to the government.

Maintaining and growing your business requires ongoing effort and adaptation to changing market conditions.

Ready To Start Your Dream Business Today?

Starting a business is challenging but can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. By following these steps, you can lay a strong foundation for your business and go from a small business owner to a real entrepreneur!

Remember to comply with all legal and regulatory requirements and seek professional advice when needed. Now that you have the knowledge and tools, it’s up to you to take the first step toward starting your own business and turning your dreams into reality.

For personalized advice and additional resources, consult with business professionals and take advantage of available tools and services.

Starting a Business FAQs

How do I start a small business with no money?

Starting a small business with no money might seem challenging, but it's possible with creativity and strategic planning. Focus on service-based businesses that require minimal upfront costs, such as consulting, tutoring, or freelance services. Utilize free online tools for marketing and operations, and consider bartering services or seeking small business grants.

What is the best business structure?

The best business structure depends on the specific needs of your business model, including liability concerns, tax implications, and business goals. Common structures include sole proprietorship, LLC (Limited Liability Company), and corporation. Each has distinct advantages and legal protections, so consider consulting a legal advisor to find the structure that best suits your business.

Do I need a business credit card?

While not mandatory, a business credit card can help you separate personal and business expenses, build your company's credit history, and manage cash flow more effectively. It also simplifies bookkeeping and tax preparation and often provides useful rewards and business-related perks.

Do I need a special license or permit to start a small business?

Sometimes, depending on your business type and location, you may need specific licenses or permits to operate legally. Common requirements include a general business license, zoning permits, health permits if you’re dealing with food, and professional licenses for certain services. Check with your local government and industry-specific agencies to ensure compliance.

How much does it cost to create a business?

The cost to start a business varies widely based on the type, location, and scale. It can range from a few hundred dollars for a home-based service business to thousands or more for a retail storefront or franchise. Costs typically include business registration fees, licensing, initial inventory, marketing, and other startup expenses.

Do I need a business degree to start a business?

No, a business degree is not required to start a business. Many successful entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses without formal business education. Practical experience, industry knowledge, and a strong network can be just as valuable. However, certain business principles and courses can enhance your understanding and management skills.