Preface Answers You (Almost) Don't Want to Hear
Introduction Getting to Go: A Lesson from a Paper Company
Hollywood and the Startup Misconception
Am I at go?
What's ahead?
Chapter 1 It's Not a Suggestion: You Need to Register
How do I register?
Do I have to register everywhere?
If I register in a state, do I have to pay taxes there?
Do I need a business license?
Is business registration the same as formation?
What about federal taxes?
What about the state taxing authorities?
What is a legal vs. a trade name?
FINCEN Reporting
Zoning
The Business Checking Account
Suggested Order
Tips for Getting to Go
Chapter 2 Tying Yourself in Knots: You Need an Entity
Stand-Alone Entities vs. Pass-Through Entities
What is a sole proprietorship?
What is a partnership?
What is an S corporation?
S Corporation vs. Partnership
What is a C corporation?
What is a limited liability company?
Do I really have to choose?
Tips for Getting to Go
Chapter 3 Spinning Plates: You Need a Marketing Plan
Shouldn't I perfect my product before marketing?
What is a marketing plan?
The Problem with Marketing Plans
Marketing Plans Need Contingencies
Give It Time (But Not Too Much)
What is a marketing channel?
Which marketing channel is best?
How do I get started?
How do you evaluate success?
Tips for Getting to Go
Chapter 4 It's Not That Simple: You Need a (Secure) Website
Do I really need a website?
Where do I even start?
How do I direct users on my website?
Can driving phone calls be my website's goal?
SEO sounds like a disease-do I need to catch it?
How do I market my business in a highly regulated industry?
How do I know if the website is working?
Tips for Getting to Go
Chapter 5 It Can Be Worse: You Need Insurance
Do I have to buy insurance?
How do risk management and insurance fit together?
What can be covered with insurance?
Finding Information in the Insurance Policy
How much insurance do I need?
A Primer on Business Insurance
Take a Step Back
Tips for Getting to Go
Chapter 6 Worry About the Big Stuff: You Need a Contract
What are the elements of a valid contract?
How do I ensure my contract gets signed?
Take It or Leave It
How do I effectively negotiate a contract?
Are contract terms should I watch out for?
Which contracts require an attorney?
Can I create my own contracts?
Tips for Getting to Go
Chapter 7 This Stinks: You Need to Pay Taxes
Is nexus a brand of chocolate?
What are sales and use taxes?
What if I only make a few sales in the state?
What if I sell on a website like Amazon or Etsy?
Can a CPA handle this for me?
What if I have employees?
How do tax payments get to the government?
Can a CPA or payroll service run payroll for me?
What is a wage report?
What about real estate & personal property taxes?
How could I forget about income taxes?
What can I deduct?
Strict substantiation? That sounds scary.
Where do I need to file?
What will my income tax preparer need from me?
Tips for Getting to Go
Chapter 8 You Can't Be Everywhere: You Need to Hire
When is the right time to hire?
Employee vs. independent contractor-what's the difference?
What happens if I misclassify workers?
What's my responsibility for independent contractor taxes?
What if I hire an employee?
What happens at the end of the year?
Do I need an employee handbook?
What about terminating employees?
Tips for Getting to Go
Epilogue Calm Down: You Need Patience
One Last Thought
Acknowledgements
Appendix A S
