simongonzalezdc Launch Business
The ordered checklist from "money committed" to "doors open."
The sequence (dependency order — do NOT skip)
Legal (weeks 1-2)
- File LLC Articles of Organization ($70)
- Obtain EIN (same-day online)
- Draft operating agreement
- Open business bank account
Compliance (weeks 2-6)
- City business license
- Seller's permit / sales tax (CDTFA)
- Health permit (food: plan check 6-10 weeks)
- Signage permit
- Sidewalk/parklet (if applicable)
Protection (week 3)
- General liability ($1M/$2M)
- Workers' comp (from employee #1)
- Additional insured certificates
Physical (weeks 4-16)
- Lease execution (4 must-haves negotiated)
- Contractor walk-through
- Buildout / TI
- Equipment + testing
- Utilities
Systems (weeks 14-16)
- POS setup
- Bank feed / accounting
- Email + Google Business Profile
People (weeks 14-16)
- Job descriptions + postings
- I-9 / W-4
- Training + SOPs
Opening (weeks 16-18)
- Soft open (test)
- Hard open (public launch)
- First-week metrics baseline
Timeline
- Food with buildout: 5-8 months
- Service/retail: 2-3 months
- Kiosk/cart: 4-8 weeks