Get a Business Up and Running in Just 8 Hours

Many would-be entrepreneurs put off starting their businesses because the task seems too daunting, but you can start a business in just 8 hours if you act strategically.

8:00 - 8:30 — Set Goals

Ground your new small business in goals. Do you want to:

• Quit your day job?  

• Start a side hustle?

• Give yourself the freedom to work remotely?

List your personal, professional, and financial goals. 

8:30 - 9:30 — Select Your Business Idea

If you don't already have an idea, settle on one quickly. Ideally, select a business idea you're already qualified to do. Think about your skills, experience, and passions. Your genius zone is usually found where these three intersect. 

9:30 -10:00 — Choose a Business Structure

Determine the best structure for your new business. Will it be a sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability corporation? Evaluate the pros and cons of each. 

10:00 -10:30 — Make It Official

You may need some or all of the following. 

• A legal business name

• An Employer Identification Number, if you're hiring employees

• A business license

• A certificate of resale

• Other local permits
   

The U.S. Small Business Administration website can help you choose the processes to complete.

Completing these legal requirements may result in a high volume of paperwork. To make it easier to manage all these documents, use PDF merging software to combine them into one file. You can easily sort the pages into the correct order for effortless virtual documentation of your business' legal records. 

10:30 -11:00 — Create a Logo

Hire a freelancer on Fiverr to create a logo. Choose someone with a fast turnaround time. Don't overanalyze your logo design. Simple is best, and you can always update it later.

11:00 -12:00 — Financial Planning

Complete these three tasks to get your finances on track.

• Open a business bank account online

• Set a startup budget

• Sign up for free accounting software

12:00 - 1:00 — Take a Lunch Break

Take a well-deserved break, and fuel up for the afternoon session.

1:00 - 2:00 — Get Your Software in Place

Assess your company's software needs. You may require:

• A basic website and a domain to host it on

• An email address

• Email marketing software

• Google Drive or Dropbox for file management

• An internal communication platform, such as Slack

• A video conference platform

2:00 - 3:00 — Build Your Team

Consider hiring freelancers to get your company off the ground quickly. You can find website designers, copywriters, and marketers on Upwork. 

3:00 - 4:00 — Identify Your Ideal Client

Identify your ideal client. Create an avatar by asking lots of questions.

• Who are they?

• What do they do for work?

• What does their day-to-day life look like?

• Where do they shop?

• What problems do they face?

When you write any marketing materials for your business, write as though you're speaking to this one person. Be sure to merge PDF files to keep all this information in one concise document.

4:00 - 5:00 — Start Marketing

Put yourself out there! Create Facebook and Instagram accounts for your business, and let your ideal clients know how they can work with you.

Where To Go From Here

Congratulations! You're officially in business. Join your local chamber of commerce to get the support you need to grow and to keep the momentum going.