| Between getting a business license to establishing a | | | | expandable file stored in your filing cabinet is the |
| website for your services, you may forget about the | | | | perfect way to do this. You can organize your |
| basic office supplies that you'll need to keep your | | | | receipts by month or by type. |
| business running smoothly. Use this checklist to make | | | | Business cards. Make it a habit to leave these |
| sure you're ready to take on any business happenings | | | | everywhere you go. There's nothing worse than |
| that come your way. | | | | chatting with someone about your business who |
| A computer. This goes without saying in this day and | | | | seems very interested and not being able to pass |
| age. Even if your business is done locally and not | | | | along your contact information. It's inexpensive and |
| online, you need to have a computer to keep your | | | | easy to create business cards with you that display |
| business in order. From managing your own website to | | | | your company name, your name, your contact |
| running bookkeeping software, your computer is an | | | | information and a brief blurb about what you do. |
| essential tool of your home office. | | | | Pre-printed business envelopes. Nothing says "start up |
| A fax machine/copier/printer. This three in one tool is | | | | business" like using plain envelopes for your business |
| perfect for small businesses. You'll be able to send and | | | | correspondence. While there is less business being |
| receive faxes, copy paperwork and print off | | | | done by mail these days than their used to be, you |
| documents from your computer. Make sure you get a | | | | should still invest in a small box of envelopes with your |
| quality machine because it will be doing so much in | | | | company name printed on them. |
| your office. Later on, you may need to upgrade to a | | | | Planner calendar. This is essential for meeting client |
| separate fax, copier and scanner but to start this type | | | | deadlines and keeping your business running smoothly. |
| of machine is perfect. | | | | You can use a three month re-writable calendar that is |
| A filing cabinet (or several). Even if you do business | | | | displayed on your office wall. Make sure to calibrate |
| online there is going to be a lot of paperwork involved | | | | your office calendar with any that you may keep |
| in running your business. You will thank yourself in the | | | | online or on your computer. |
| future if you take the time to get organized when you | | | | Accounting software. Most small business owners use |
| start your business. Purchase a two drawer, four | | | | an accounting service to calculate their taxes. You can |
| drawer or six drawer model to meet your needs. | | | | make it much easier on your accountant or yourself at |
| Remember, it's better to have too many drawers at | | | | the end of the year by purchasing accounting |
| the beginning than not enough. | | | | software and learning how to balance your own |
| An expandable file. You'll need a place to keep all the | | | | books. |
| receipts from your business related purchases. An | | | | |