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Business Launch Checklist & 90-Day Action Plan
A companion resource for Turn Your Passion Into Your Dream Business
Your Dream Business Starts Here
Most businesses do not plan to fail. They fail to plan. Use this checklist as a working guide while you prepare, launch, and grow your business.
Check items off as you complete them. Use the blank lines to write your answers, notes, and next steps.
“The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.”
Part One: Business Launch Checklist
Work through each category in order. Items marked Critical should be completed before you open your doors. Items marked ASAP should follow within your first 30 days.
1. Foundation & Passion Check
Confirm your “why” Critical
Are you entering this business from genuine passion? Identify your motivation and be honest about your commitment level.
My reason for starting this business:
What success would look like to me:
Assess your skill sets honestly
List the roles your business requires, such as sales, marketing, accounting, customer service, and operations.
Skills I already have:
Skills I need help with:
Tasks I may need to outsource:
Evaluate your self-starter readiness
Business ownership requires discipline, initiative, long hours, and customer accountability.
What habits do I need to strengthen?
What might distract me from staying consistent?
2. Business Plan & Budget
Write your business plan Critical
Include your executive summary, company summary, market analysis, strategy, management summary, and financial plan.
Business concept summary:
My ideal customer:
My primary offer or service:
Prepare financial projections
Build worst-case, most-realistic, and best-case scenarios.
Estimated startup cost:
Estimated monthly revenue goal:
Estimated monthly fixed expenses:
Estimated monthly variable expenses:
Conduct a break-even analysis
Determine the minimum monthly sales required to cover fixed and variable costs.
My monthly break-even number:
How many customers or sales are needed to reach break-even?
Convert your financial plan into a Year 1 budget
Input the approved budget into your accounting system so you can compare actual results to projections.
Budget review notes:
3. Legal Entity & Agreements
Choose your legal entity Critical
Evaluate sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, S corporation, or LLC with legal and tax guidance.
Entity type I am considering:
Questions for my attorney or CPA:
File all formation documents correctly Critical
File the proper documents, document organizational minutes, and keep originals in a secure location.
Documents filed / still needed:
Open a dedicated business bank account
Keep personal and business funds separate from day one.
Bank account notes:
Register your business name and protect your brand
Register your trade name and consider trademark protection for unique brand assets.
Business name ideas:
Brand assets to protect:
4. Assemble Your Professional Team
Hire a business attorney Critical
Use legal support for entity formation, contracts, leases, and agreements.
Attorney contact:
Questions for attorney:
Engage a CPA Critical
Your CPA should assist with tax elections, accounting software, payroll registration, and financial reviews.
CPA contact:
Questions for CPA:
Select an insurance professional ASAP
Review general liability, key-person coverage, workers’ compensation, and equipment coverage.
Insurance contact:
Coverage needed:
Establish a banking relationship ASAP
Open business checking and explore a credit line before you think you need one.
Banker contact:
Financing or credit questions:
5. Business Location & Lease
Verify the location matches your customer profile
Choose a location or virtual setup that fits how your ideal customers live, work, shop, and buy.
Ideal customer location details:
Possible locations or setup options:
Assess visibility, access, and parking
Consider signage, traffic patterns, parking, entry points, and customer convenience.
Location strengths:
Location concerns:
Have your attorney review the lease before signing Critical
Review terms, renewal options, improvements, assignment rights, restrictions, and cost increases.
Lease questions or concerns:
6. Capital, Finance & Accounting
Secure adequate startup capital Critical
Plan for startup costs, working capital, slow periods, and unexpected expenses.
Startup capital needed:
Funding sources:
Backup funding plan:
Set up your accounting system
Use clean books, a clear chart of accounts, and regular financial reporting.
Accounting software/system:
Monthly review date:
Register for all required tax accounts ASAP
Apply for required federal, state, sales tax, payroll, and industry-specific accounts.
Tax accounts or registrations needed:
Commit to monthly financial statement reviews
Compare actual results to your budget and adjust quickly.
Financial numbers I will review monthly:
Part Two: Your 90-Day Action Plan
The first 90 days are easier to manage when they are broken into focused phases.
Days 1-30: Build The Foundation
Finalize your business plan All key sections complete and financial projections reviewed.
Choose and form your legal entity Formation documents filed and required elections considered.
Assemble your professional team Attorney, CPA, insurance professional, and banker identified.
Open your business bank account Separate account active.
Secure startup capital Funding sources confirmed and documented.
My Days 1-30 priorities
Days 31-60: Set Up For Success
Sign your lease or confirm location Attorney reviewed and setup confirmed.
Configure your accounting system Software set up and budget loaded.
Purchase required insurance Coverage active before launch.
Build technology infrastructure Website, database, POS, and communication systems selected.
Develop your marketing plan Target audience, pricing, promotion channels, and launch timeline set.
My Days 31-60 priorities
Days 61-90: Launch & Calibrate
Open your doors and begin serving customers Launch marketing activated.
Complete your first monthly financial review Compare actual results to budget.
Evaluate customer feedback formally Create a process to collect and act on feedback.
Review staffing and skill gaps Identify tasks to hire, outsource, or improve.
Schedule your 90-day debrief Meet with advisors and set next-quarter priorities.
My Days 61-90 priorities
Progress Tracker: 13-Week Sprint Overview
Color or check each week as you complete its primary milestone. Every box filled is a win.
W1
W2
W3
W4
W5
W6
W7
W8
W9
W10
W11
W12
W13
My Weekly Notes
Week 1:
Week 2:
Week 3:
Week 4:
Week 5:
Week 6:
Week 7:
Week 8:
Week 9:
Week 10:
Week 11:
Week 12:
Week 13:
My Key Commitments & Notes
“The extra mile is never crowded. Take the time to invest in your future.”