---
title: "Business Checklist: Guide for New and Growing Businesses"
description: Business Checklist provides valuable information and structure when starting a business, creating a business plan or expanding your business.  Experienced business lawyer, provides more than 20 steps to consider for your business plan.
---

[Blog ](https://www.contactmylawyer.com/blog)

# [Business Checklist: Guide for New and Growing Businesses](https://www.contactmylawyer.com/blog/business-checklist-1)

 Written by [Michelle DelMar, Esq.](https://www.contactmylawyer.com/blog/author/michelle-delmar-esq) | Jan 12, 2016 6:28:07 PM

# **Business Checklist **

**This Business Checklist* provides valuable information and structure when starting a business, creating a business plan or expanding your business. Experienced business lawyer, Michelle DelMar, provides more than 20 IMPORTANT ISSUES to consider for your business plan, whether you are starting a new business or expanding your business.**

1. Gather your TEAM of professionals (legal, tax, etc.).
2. Have your current and/or prior employment agreement reviewed by legal counsel for issues that may conflict with your business plan (assignment of rights, non-compete, non-solicitation, etc.).
3. [Joint Venture Agreement](https://www.contactmylawyer.com/blog/joint-venture-agreement) (Determine Duties and Responsibilities of Participants)Protect Your Assets.
4. [Trademark notice and registration.](https://www.contactmylawyer.com/blog/why-register-your-trademark)
5. Establish Separate Entity (Personal Asset Protection)
6. [Determine Type of Organization (Corp, LLC, etc.)](https://www.contactmylawyer.com/blog/corporations-and-llcs-what-business-owners-should-know) (Avoid Double Taxation)
7. S-Corp Election, may be appropriate, if entity qualifies.
8. Bylaws, Shareholder Agreement or Operating Agreement
9. Fed ID Number for Business
10. Banking Issues.
11. Business Certificates
12. Business Licenses and Permits
13. [Commercial Lease](https://www.contactmylawyer.com/blog/understanding-the-commercial-lease)
14. Employer Posters Required by Law
15. Insurance
16. Register with State for Sales and Use Tax, etc.
17. Establish Payroll System AND engage Payroll professionals (there are many tax related issues that should be handled by a qualified tax professional).
18. [Copyrights notice and registration](https://www.contactmylawyer.com/blog/what-are-trademarks-copyrights-and-trade-secrets)
19. [Patents](https://www.contactmylawyer.com/blog/what-are-trademarks-copyrights-and-trade-secrets)
20. [Website Compliance](https://www.contactmylawyer.com/blog/website-compiance) (Utilize comprehensive Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, Copyright Infringement Warning, etc.)
21. [Contracts and Agreements (Distributorship Agreement, etc.)](https://www.contactmylawyer.com/blog/understanding-contracts)
22. [Executive Agreement](https://www.contactmylawyer.com/blog/understanding-contracts)
23. I-9 Forms and Immigration Law Compliance
24. Mergers and Acquisitions
25. Domestic and International Subsidiaries
26. [Franchising](https://www.contactmylawyer.com/blog/understanding-franchising-versus-licensing)
27. Exit Strategy
28. [Business Sale or "Wrap-Up"](https://www.contactmylawyer.com/blog/business-acquisition)
29. Protecting Wealth

**Congratulations again; you are on your way!**

**[Receive a FREE Consultation with Attorney Michelle L. DelMar, Small Business Lawyer, Trademark Attorney and Executive Contract Lawyer.](https://www.contactmylawyer.com/contact/)**

*Do not rely solely upon this checklist. Obtain professional legal advice from an experienced business lawyer.

Copyright (c) 2011-2023 Michelle L. DelMar, Esq. All rights reserved.

Tags: trademark registration, intellectual property rights, [trademark](https://www.contactmylawyer.com/blog/what-are-trademarks-copyrights-and-trade-secrets),[ trademark lawyer, trademark law, trademarks, intellectual property, trademark attorney,](https://www.contactmylawyer.com/blog/what-are-trademarks-copyrights-and-trade-secrets) [Intellectual Property agreement, license trademark, license intellectual property](https://www.contactmylawyer.com/blog/trademark-license-agreement)

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