Quick Start Guide to Launching an LLC

CoachingEntrepreneurship
Written By Dawn Bowes

Quickstart Steps:

At a minimum, you’ll need to follow Steps 2-4.

  1. File for LLC (link for folks in NC)

  2. Get an EIN (Sole Proprietor)

  3. Open Business Bank Account (I recommend Novo)

  4. A way for people book your service/ buy your product instantly! (Calendly, Acuity, Square, etc)

  5. Create a process for accounting and bookkeeping (Wave is one option). Here’s a short post about how to organize your expenses but it would definitely be worth speaking to a CPA.

  6. Register your domain name (Wordpress and SquareSpace both have free domains for a year)

  7. Get business email address (Google Workspace is an excellent option and can host your domain if you’re not ready for a website, and don’t forget to authenticate your email!!)

  8. Create a landing page (Squarespace is my favorite but this can be FB, Insta, Caard, Wix, HubSpot, and Mailchimp which are all free).

Marketing

Networking

  • Join all of the associations related to your niche or industry!

  • Sponsor a local event

  • Set up a booth with local Farmer’s Markets and community events. Even if you’re service-oriented, be ready with swag and samples!

  • And also Meet-Ups :)

  • Here’s some options to connect with in the Triangle: The Bulls of Durham, The Raleigh Local

  • Events local to the Triangle - curated by the Triangle Innovation Hub

You don’t have to do this alone

Resources

Small business incubators and accelerators (in the Triangle)

Mentoring & Support

Dawn Bowes
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