Starting a Business: The First 30 Days

The first thirty days of starting a business are mostly paperwork, decisions, and small dollar amounts — not the dramatic launch most people imagine. The order you do things in matters, because some steps depend on others. This guide walks you through a realistic month-one checklist for a U.S. small business.

This is plain-English starter content. For the broader picture, see our Learn hub, the business basics overview, and our planning guide on startup costs.

Week 1: Validate the idea on paper

Before you spend money, write a one-page plan. Who is your customer, what problem are you solving, what will you charge, and how will people find you? The U.S. Small Business Administration calls this a "lean plan" and offers free templates.

You also want a rough budget. Most new owners underestimate startup costs — the one-time spending to open the doors, like equipment, deposits, licenses, and your first inventory. List every line item, then add a 20% cushion.

Week 1: Pick a business name

Two name checks happen at the same time:

• State name search. Your state's Secretary of State lets you search whether the business name you want is already taken. Search before you print anything.
• Trademark search. Use the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) to see if anyone has a federal trademark on the name. A state-clear name can still be a federal trademark conflict.

Buy the matching domain and lock down social handles the same day. Names get harder to change every week.

Week 2: Choose your entity type

Most new owners pick between four structures: sole proprietor (just you, no separate legal entity), LLC (Limited Liability Company, a separate legal entity that is simple to run), S corporation (a tax election, not a separate state filing), and C corporation (the structure used by venture-backed startups). Our LLC vs. sole proprietor guide breaks down the trade-offs.

This is general info, not legal advice — for your specific situation talk to a business attorney or CPA. Once you choose, you file with your state (usually online), pay a filing fee that ranges from about $50 to $500, and wait a few business days for approval.

Week 2: Get an EIN

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is the business version of a Social Security Number, issued by the IRS. You need one to open a business bank account, hire employees, or file most business tax returns. Apply free at IRS.gov — see our EIN guide for the step-by-step.

Week 3: Open a business bank account

Mixing personal and business money is the single most common bookkeeping mistake new owners make, and it can also weaken the legal protection of an LLC. Open a dedicated business checking account, and ideally a separate business credit card.

To open the account, the bank will usually want:

• Your EIN confirmation letter from the IRS
• Your filed formation documents (LLC Articles of Organization or Corporate Charter)
• A government-issued photo ID for each owner
• Your operating agreement or bylaws (some banks ask, some don't)

Banks vary widely on monthly fees and minimum balances, so compare at least three before signing up.

Week 3: Licenses, permits, and registrations

Almost every business needs at least one of these:

• State business license — required by some states for any operating business
• Local business license — usually a city or county requirement
• Industry-specific license — restaurants, contractors, salons, daycares, and many others have additional state boards
• Sales tax permit — if you sell taxable goods or services, see our sales tax guide
• Zoning approval — especially important if you plan to operate from home

The USA.gov small business hub links to every state's licensing portal.

Week 4: Set up the back office

You don't need expensive software, but you do need a system. At minimum, set up:

• Bookkeeping — even a spreadsheet works for the first month, but most owners move to accounting software within 90 days. Our bookkeeping basics guide walks through the essentials.
• Invoicing — pick one tool and stick with it
• Document storage — a single cloud folder for receipts, contracts, and tax forms
• Calendar reminders — for quarterly estimated taxes and license renewals

Week 4: Insurance and contracts

Even one-person businesses usually want general liability insurance, which covers basic third-party injury and property damage claims. If you have employees, most states require workers' compensation insurance the day the first employee starts. Our business insurance guide covers what to look for.

Get template contracts in place before you need them — service agreements, independent contractor agreements, and a simple privacy policy if you collect customer data online.

Common first-month mistakes

• Skipping the entity decision. Defaulting to sole proprietor is fine for some, but not all. Decide on purpose, not by accident.
• Mixing money. Always run business income and expenses through the business account.
• Ignoring quarterly taxes. If your business will owe more than $1,000 in federal tax for the year, the IRS expects quarterly estimated tax payments.
• No written agreements with co-founders. If two or more people start the business together, write down ownership splits, vesting, and what happens if someone leaves. Do this on day one, not day 365.

A practical day-by-day rhythm

If thirty days feels overwhelming, break it into a daily rhythm. Most owners can move the whole list with two to three focused hours per day. Day 1: write the one-page plan and rough budget. Day 2: do the state and trademark name searches. Day 3: choose your entity and start the state filing. Day 4: apply for your EIN. Day 5: order business cards and lock in your domain. Week 2 wraps up entity approval and bank-account setup. Week 3 takes care of licenses, sales tax permits, and zoning. Week 4 is back-office, insurance, and your first marketing push.

The biggest mistake is trying to do everything at once on day one. Each step depends on the one before it: you can't open a bank account without your EIN, and you can't apply for the EIN until your LLC is approved by the state. Move in order.

Free resources to use along the way

You do not need to pay for any of these:

• The SBA's Plan Your Business walkthrough
• Free 1-on-1 mentoring through SCORE, an SBA partner that pairs you with retired executives in your industry
• Your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC) — funded by the SBA, free or low-cost help with planning, financing, and licensing
• The USA.gov small business hub for state-specific links

A surprising number of new owners pay consultants for things SCORE and SBDC offices do for free.

A note on the numbers

Filing fees, license costs, and tax thresholds change every year and vary by state. Always check the latest at IRS.gov, SBA.gov, and your state's Secretary of State website.

Tax laws and SBA programs change every year — always check the latest at IRS.gov, SBA.gov, and your state's Secretary of State website.