Start a Business Resource Center

Launch a service business the right way.

Entity choice, EIN, bank account, insurance, contracts, and the playbook for your first 10 customers — without paying for ads.

State-by-state directory Pricing Hub

Decide & Register

Entity choice, EIN, and state/local licenses — the order to do them in.

LLC vs Sole Proprietor: Which Should a Trades Owner Choose?

Default to sole proprietor in year one if you have no employees and low liability work. Form an LLC the moment you have employees, expensive equipment, or do work that could damage property (trades, contractors, mobile services). An LLC protects your house from a business lawsuit.

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How to Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number) for Free

An EIN is your business's federal tax ID. Apply free at irs.gov/EIN — takes 15 minutes, you get the number immediately. You need one if you have employees, an LLC, or want a business bank account that doesn't use your SSN.

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State and Local Business Licenses: What You Actually Need

Three layers: (1) state professional license if your trade requires it (contractor, electrician, plumber, HVAC, beautician), (2) city or county business license to operate at your address, (3) sales tax permit if you sell taxable goods or services. Each layer is checked separately — getting one doesn't satisfy the others.

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Set Up the Money

Separate bank account, tax savings, and startup-cost tracking from day one.

Why You Need a Business Bank Account (Even as a Sole Prop)

Open a dedicated business checking account on day one — even as a sole prop. Mixing funds ('commingling') destroys LLC liability protection, wastes hours at tax time, and makes it impossible to see your actual profit. Most banks open one in 20 minutes with your EIN and ID.

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How to Set Aside Money for Taxes from Day One

Open a dedicated 'tax savings' account. Transfer 25–30% of every payment received into it automatically. Pay quarterly estimated taxes from that account on April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Never spend from it.

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How to Track Startup Costs (and Deduct Them on Your First Return)

You can deduct up to $5,000 of startup costs (research, marketing, legal, training) in your first year of operation, plus another $5,000 of organizational costs (LLC filing, attorney fees). Anything over $5,000 amortizes over 15 years. Track everything from the day you started planning the business — not just after you opened.

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Get Legal & Insured

General liability, contracts, and the legal basics that prevent the lawsuit.

General Liability Insurance: What It Covers and What It Costs

General liability (GL) covers third-party bodily injury, property damage, and personal/advertising injury caused by your business. Most trades need $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate. Cost runs $400–$1,200/year for solo operators. It's required for most commercial customers and city licenses.

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Simple Service Contracts: The 7 Clauses You Actually Need

A working service contract has 7 clauses: (1) scope of work, (2) price and payment terms, (3) timeline and change-order process, (4) warranty, (5) cancellation, (6) limitation of liability, (7) signatures. Anything more is your lawyer billing you to look smart.

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Get Your First Customers

The free-channel playbook to land your first 10 customers and price them right.

How to Get Your First 10 Customers (Without Paying for Ads)

First 10 customers come from 5 free channels: (1) personal network announcement, (2) Nextdoor and local Facebook groups, (3) Google Business Profile, (4) one Craigslist or local classified ad, (5) referral incentives from every job. Skip paid ads until you've nailed pricing and operations.

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How to Price Your First Job When You Have No Reference Point

Price by: (1) calculating your true hourly cost (overhead + target profit + taxes ÷ billable hours), (2) checking 3 local competitors for the going rate, (3) pricing at-or-above the local rate, never below. Cheap pricing attracts cheap customers and tanks your reputation.

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Invoice from day one.

Glo Invoice is free for 14 days for new owners — send your first invoice in under 60 seconds.

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