What order should I start a business in?

Risk order rather than paperwork order. Decide whether it is the right thing to build, find out whether anyone wants it, and only then spend money making it legal and real. This checklist is arranged that way.

Is my progress saved?

Yes, in your own browser on this device. Nothing is sent anywhere and no account is involved.

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Startup checklist

Five phases, ordered by risk.

Not by paperwork. Each phase exists to stop you spending time or money on the next one before you should, and each has an exit condition. Tick as you go and the page remembers where you got to.

Work in order. Each phase exists to stop you spending time or money on the next one before you should.

Decide: Is This The Right Thing To Build?

Write the one-sentence version Check it against yourself honestly Decide the shape: side hustle or main thing Name your three numbers Set a decision date

My one sentence:

Validate: Does Anyone Actually Want It?

Talk to ten people in your target market Find out who else already does this Set a price and say it out loud Get one person to pay, or commit in writing If nobody will commit, change something

Who I spoke to	What they said	Would they pay?

Set Up: Make It Legal And Real

Choose your structure Get your EIN Check licenses and permits Open a business bank account Set up bookkeeping before the first transaction Get insured Set aside tax money from the first payment

Build: Make It Deliverable

Build the smallest deliverable version Write down how you deliver it Get a simple web presence up Set up payments and contracts Pick a deliberately short tool stack

Sell, And Keep Going

Go back to your Phase 2 conversations Choose one acquisition channel and work it Ask every customer for a referral and a testimonial Track the few numbers that matter Set up the support you will need in month six Plan the next 90 days

My one acquisition channel:

Start with the next step, not the whole list.