Nobody starts a trades business because they love paperwork. But the shops that skip this step pay for it later, usually at the worst possible time.
The checklist
- Your trade license for every area you plan to work in.
- Insurance suited to the work you do, with workers’ compensation requirements checked for your location and staffing.
- A business entity. Talk to an accountant about what fits your situation.
- A separate business bank account and card. Never mix personal and business money.
- A simple bookkeeping setup from day one, even if it is just a spreadsheet you update weekly.
Why it matters for marketing later
Clean books are how you will eventually know whether marketing is working. If business and personal spending are mixed together, you will never be able to answer the question: what did that campaign actually make us?
Make a record you can actually use
Keep a short register of each license, policy, registration, and renewal. Record who issued it, the renewal date, the contact person, and where the current document is stored. Put renewal reminders on a calendar someone checks.
You should be able to find the documents you need to quote work, answer a customer, or speak with your accountant without hunting through old text messages. Keep access under an account the business controls.
Check the rules for your actual work
Requirements depend on your trade, location, business structure, and employees. Check the relevant state licensing board and local permitting office before taking on work in a new area. Review coverage with a licensed insurance professional, including any workers’ compensation requirements that apply.
The SBA’s business launch guide is a useful starting point for the questions to ask. Use local authorities and qualified advisers for the requirements that apply to your shop.
One action for today
Gather your current documents, check their dates, and list what is missing. That is a more useful first step than buying a polished logo while the paperwork lives in five different places.
Next step: Step 2: Claim Your Name Online
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