The most common question asked by all new entrepreneurs wanting to strike out and launch a business is “where do I start and is there some sort of a startup checklist that I can follow?”
How to create the ultimate business startup checklist
Starting a business can be a daunting and even overwhelming task. Fortunately, there have been millions of businesses that have gone before us and they have left a trail of “breadcrumbs!”
I know quite a few people who have started businesses and I have worked with a few startup companies over the last 10 years and I have learned that:
- No matter how similar two businesses may look, they are all different with very different and very real challenges.
- Every business owner has unique experiences and a unique worldview and this dramatically impacts their startup strategy.
- Every business owner has different levels of risk tolerance and this dramatically impacts their startup strategy.
But, the one common element shared by everyone I know who has started a business is that they wish they would have “known that” when they started.
“That” is different for each person and this is where a Business Start Up Checklist can provide some value.
Business startup checklist
I have created a business startup checklist that you can download from my website. Although this checklist is quite long and touches on many different aspects of a business, it is by no means all-inclusive or complete.
A business startup checklist cannot be all inclusive because:
- Every business is different
- Every market and industry is different
- Every jurisdiction has different rules and laws
- Every owner has different expectations and goals
- Every owner is starting from a different point
Consequently, this checklist is best used as a starting point for a new business. Take the list and customize it for your startup.
Do a little brainstorming by yourself or with some business associates. Take out the content does not apply to your business and add-in items specific to your business that are missing.
If you are planning on starting a business at some point in the not-to-distant future, don’t start without a good plan and a good checklist.
What do you think? How would you otherwise plan on starting a business?
Leave a comment below on your business startup experience.
Download a free copy of my new Ebook: 12 Steps to Business Transformation. If you are interested in a business assessment to help kick off your business transformation, contact me at info@thinkingbusinessblog.com or at 587-227-5179. Be sure to sign up at www.thinkingbusinessblog.com for weekly blog updates delivered to your inbox.
For more business and entrepreneurship tips, subscribe to our weekly newsletter and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.