Launch Checklist for New Businesses
Starting a business has a lot of moving parts. This critical-path checklist walks you through the essential steps — in the order they need to happen. Lyons Design Consulting can guide you through any or all of it.
Validate Your Idea
Define your business concept — What problem does it solve? Who does it serve? What makes it different?
Research your target market — Size, demographics, buying behavior, and unmet needs.
Research your target market — Size, demographics, buying behavior, and unmet needs.
Analyze the competition — Who else is doing this, and how will you differentiate?
Test your concept — Surveys, interviews, or a small pilot before committing fully.
Build Your Business Plan
Write a Business Plan — Vision, mission, market analysis, competitive strategy, and financial projections.
Define Your Pricing Model — How will you charge? Per hour, per project, subscription, retail?
Define Your Pricing Model — How will you charge? Per hour, per project, subscription, retail?
Estimate Startup Costs — Equipment, software, licenses, marketing, working capital.
Plan Your Funding — Self-funded, small business loan, investors, or grants?
Legal & Compliance
Choose a business structure — Sole proprietor, LLC, S-Corp, or C-Corp. Each has different tax and liability implications.
Register your business name — File a DBA (“doing business as”) or register your LLC/corporation with your state.
Obtain an EIN — Employer Identification Number from the IRS. Required for taxes, banking, and hiring.
Get required licenses & permits — Business license, professional license, zoning permits, or industry-specific certifications.
Register for state & local taxes — Sales tax, payroll tax, and other state-specific requirements.
Set up business insurance — General liability, professional liability, or industry-specific coverage.
Financial Setup
Open a business bank account — Keep personal and business finances completely separate from day one.
Set up accounting software — QuickBooks, Wave, or FreshBooks to track income, expenses, and taxes.
Set up payment processing — Square, Stripe, PayPal, or another processor to accept payments.
Create invoice & billing templates — Professional, consistent invoicing from the first client.
Branding & Online Presence
Develop your brand identity — Logo, color palette, fonts, and tone of voice.
Register your domain name — Secure your web address before someone else does.
Build your website — Your digital storefront. Professional, mobile-friendly, and clear about what you offer.
Claim your Google Business Profile — Essential for local search visibility and customer trust.
Set up social media profiles — Secure your handles on the platforms where your customers are.
Create core marketing materials — Business cards, brochures, email signature, or any print/digital collateral.
Operations & Systems
Set up your workspace — Physical location, home office, or remote setup with the tools you need.
Select your business systems — CRM, project management, scheduling, and communication tools.
Establish vendor & supplier relationships — Identify and vet the partners you’ll depend on.
Document your core processes — Write down how key tasks get done so the business runs consistently.
Hire and onboard staff (if applicable) — Job descriptions, offer letters, onboarding process, and payroll setup.
Launch & Grow
Soft launch to a test audience — Get feedback from a small group before opening fully.
Execute your official launch — Announce it. Make noise. Tell everyone.
Activate your marketing plan — Email campaigns, social posts, local outreach, or paid advertising.
Collect and act on early feedback — Your first customers will tell you what to fix and what to double down on.
Review financials monthly — Track revenue, expenses, and cash flow from the very first month.