📋 Bootstrap Your Business Workflow

Missed a past post? Searching for something in particular?

Here you can follow the workflow from end to end.

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1. Getting Started

2. Branding: Naming Your Business

3. Business Structures

4. Business Planning & Strategy

5. Business Operations (Setting Up)

6. Get Organized

7. Accounting, Bookkeeping, & Money

8. Paying Yourself (Comp & Benefits)

9. Home Office Expenses (Deductions)

10. Business Expenses (Deductions)

11. Protecting Your Business

12. Growing & Scaling Up

13. more to come!

Photo by Johannes Plenio

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🚀 Getting Started

• Learn to Bootstrap a New Business (from Scratch!)
  Keep your money in your pocket - you don't need to hire an expensive service to start a business.

• Let’s Go on a Journey to Build Your Own Business
  Post #1: Learn the steps to create your own business from scratch (and with very few startup costs or fees)!

BONUS: Quick Start Your Business!

• 12-Steps to Make Your Portfolio Business a Real Business (LLC or S-Corp)
  Post #45: Don't just report your income on your 1040 (USA).

⭐ Branding: Naming Your Business

• Picking a Great Name for Your New Business
  Post #2: Take these steps to ensure that your new business name has not yet been claimed.

• Performing a General Web Search Before Deciding on a Name for Your Business
  Post #3: Be sure that you don’t choose a name that has already been used (avoid getting into trouble with your new business name).

• Checking with the Secretary of State to See if a Business Name has Been Claimed
  Post #4: Before you buy a URL, get an email address, or print business cards, check with the SOS to see if your name idea has been claimed.

• Searching the USPTO Before you Register a New Business Name
  Post #5: the US Patent and Trademark Office is another place to check before selecting a new name for your business.

• Searching the DNS for a Domain Before Registering a New Business Name
  Post #6: Domain Name Service providers can help you search for an available domain before you commit to registering a new business name.

• Check with Google Maps Before Registering a New Business Name
  Post #7: Online map apps can help you search for existing businesses that may not have a web presence.

• Search on Social Media Platforms Before Registering a New Business Name
  Post #8: Unique and catchy social media names and handles can be a critical element to your marketing.

• Check with Local Licensing Authorities or Municipal Business Directories Before Choosing a Name for Your Business
  Post #9: This overlooked step to verify that your new business name is not already claimed may save you big headaches in the future.

• Check International Databases Before Registering a New Business Name
  Post #10: If you’re planning to go international, ensure your business name isn’t already claimed in global trademark databases.

• Pick a New Business Name That Stands Out and Avoids Confusion
  Post #11: Just because the name sounds good to you and no one else claimed it, doesn’t mean you’re good to go.

🏛️ Business Structures

• Choosing the Right Business Structure for Your Small Business
  Post #12: Learn the difference between Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, LLC, S-Corp, and C-Corp business structuring.

• How to Register Your New Business with the Local Secretary of State
  Post #13: A quick guide to registering your new Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, LLC, or Corporation with the SOS

• How to Register a DBA for Your Small Business
  Post #14: a DBA can make it easy to have a memorable customer-facing business name, and save time with reporting and operations.

• Get an EIN from the IRS for Your Small Business
  Post #15: An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is like a Social Security Number for your business.

• When to Convert your Sole Proprietorship Business to an LLC (Limited Liability Company)
  Post #16: Limit your liabilities, protect your social security number, and enjoy the benefits of operating a Limited Liability Company.

• When to Upgrade Your LLC to an S-Corp (and Why It Matters)
  Post #17: Save a ton of money and boost your business credibility by electing for S-Corp status with the IRS.

• Why Every Independent Contractor Should Set Up an LLC (and Consider S-Corp Status)

  Post #46: For freelancers, gig workers, temporary workers, contractors, sub-contractors, 1099 Workers... that's you!

🎯 Business Planning & Strategy

• How to Write a Business Plan: A Guide for Aspiring Solopreneurs and Entrepreneurs
  Post #21: Because flying by the seat of your pants is not a very good plan for running your small business.

• Business Plan Builder Questionnaire (for Aspiring Business Owners)
  Post #22: Top 50 Questions to ask yourself when preparing your Business Plan.

• The #1 Reason Small Businesses Fail (and 6 Methods to Avoid This)

  Post #43: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

🗄️ Business Operations (Setting Up)

• Don’t Wait to Establish a Record-keeping System for Your New Business
  Post #18: Get organized by centralizing your paperwork, finances, and planning documents (before things get out of control).

• Business Bookkeeping for Your New Business (Start a Healthy Habit)
  Post #19: Tracking your business finances in a bookkeeping tool is a healthy habit that will pay dividends and lead to long-term success.

• Financial Management Tips for Solopreneurs and Entrepreneurs
  Post #20: Keep your business and personal finances separate.

• Small Business Licensing, Permits, and Regulations: What You Need to Know
  Post #23: As an aspiring or new business owner, be sure to get the licenses or permits needed to operate legally in your county or city.

• Do You Really Need Business Insurance? Here’s What Every Entrepreneur Should Know
  Post #24: Even freelancers and solopreneurs should have business insurance to protect assets and livelihood from financial loss.

• more to come…

🍱 Get Organized

• How Long Should I Keep Records for My Small Business?
  Post #34: When you work for yourself (as a freelancer, solopreneur, or entrepreneur), retaining important documents and records is a must.

• Boot the Shoebox: An Easy Method to Save & Store Paper Receipts
  Post #35: Save your receipts! Why you should ditch the shoebox - and how to do it.

• Digital Storage for Receipts: Easy Ways to Declutter, Get Organized, & Be Ready

  Post #36: Freelancers & solopreneurs should save all digital and paper receipts with an easy and fast digital storage solution.

• Conquer Document Chaos With This Digital Storage Hierarchy
  Post #40: Don't struggle with clutter - get your files organized with this comprehensive hierarchy for storing all of your digital documents.

• …more to come…

💵 Accounting, Bookkeeping, & Money

• Bill of Sale: 7 Reasons to Create Your Own Receipt (Buying or Selling)
  Post #37: If you need a proof of purchase (or sale) for a business-related expense, you can make your own receipt.

• Expense Reports & Reimbursement: Pay Yourself Back for Business-Related Expenses
  Post #38: As a small business owner or freelancer, your business can pay you back for buying things that are business-related.

• Expense Report: Create a Document to Pay Yourself Back for Business Expenses
  Post #39: Use this simple document to itemize and reimburse yourself (or your staff) for business expenses paid out-of-pocket.

• Invoicing Your Clients and Customers: A Guide for the Self-Employed

  Post #41: Eliminate the awkwardness around asking for money by sending invoices and get paid for your work.

• Income and Expenses: a Simple Tracking System for Your Small Business

  Post #42: You don’t need an accounting degree or expensive software to be effective with managing money for your business.

• …more to come…

💰 Paying Yourself (Comp & Benefits)

• Entrepreneurs: Don't Forget to Pay Yourself (but Not 100%)
  Post #51: Reduce your tax bill with a simple payroll calculation.

🏡 Home Office Expenses (Deductions)

• Maximizing Your Home Office Deductions: How to Save Money on Taxes
  Post #25: There are many advantages to being a business owner - chief among them is deducting expenses as part of your financial strategy.

• Calculate Your Home Office Deduction for Mortgage Interest or Rent
  Post #26: As a small business owner working from a home-based workspace, deducting your mortgage interest or rent from gross revenues can save on taxes.

• Deducting the Cost of Utilities as Part of Your Home Office Deduction
  Post #27: Calculate how to deduct a portion of your utility bills (water, heat, cooling, electricity, etc...) from your small business income.

• Cut Your Taxes: Internet and Phone Bills Qualify for Home Office Deductions
  Post #28: Small business owners who work from home can deduct a portion of internet and cell phone bills from small business gross revenues.

• Save Money on Your Taxes By Deducting Homeowners or Renters Insurance
  Post #29: Freelancers and small business owners can keep tax bills lower with home office deductions, including the premiums spent on residential insurance.

• Deducting Home Repair and Maintenance Expenses from Your Business Income Taxes

  Post #30: Did you know that home repairs and maintenance may be eligible for the home office deduction on your self-employed income taxes?

• Understanding Depreciation and How to Calculate it for Your Home Office Deductions

  Post #31: Depreciation of your home can be a difficult concept that most business owners and freelancers overlook as part of the Home Office Deduction.

• Claiming Business Furniture and Equipment as Home Office Expenses

  Post #32: When you are self-employed, don't forget to deduct the cost of furniture and equipment that you use in your home-based business.

• Property Taxes: a Home Office Expense that You Can Deduct from Your Taxes

  Post #33: Freelancers, solopreneurs, and entrepreneurs - if you work from home, you may be able to deduct this home office expense to save on your tax bill.

• …more to come…

💲 Business Expenses (Deductions)

• [Guest Post] Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Expenses May Be Deductible (to Save on Taxes)
  If you are self-employed, your Substack subscription to “Beyond the Firewall” with Jason Rowe may be a tax deductible business expense.

• …more to come…

🔐 Protecting Your Business

• [Guest Post] I Analyzed 17 Small Businesses (86% Made These Privacy Mistakes)
  GP #1: A simple list of don'ts to keep your business and reputation secure.

• Tax Scams: Protect Your Business and Yourself from Becoming a Victim

  Post #44: Learn about the IRS's "Dirty Dozen" Tax Scams.

📈 Growing & Scaling Up

• Handling Growing Pains as a Solo Entrepreneur
  Post #50: Set yourself up for sustainable growth and long-term success.

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