A practical, week-by-week roadmap for the critical first three months after you decide to start a business.
The first 90 days of a new business set the foundation for everything that follows. Decisions made—or skipped—during this window shape your tax situation, your legal protection, and your cash flow for years. Here is a practical roadmap.
Days 1–14: Choose your structure and form the entity. Decide whether a sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation fits your situation, and if you are forming an LLC or corporation, file your articles with the state. Apply for your EIN from the IRS—it is free and takes minutes. If you will operate under a name different from your legal name, register your DBA with the appropriate state or local office.
Days 15–30: Open your business accounts and set up your recordkeeping. Open a business checking account using your EIN and formation documents. Get a business credit card for business expenses. Choose an accounting method (cash or accrual) and set up bookkeeping software—or at minimum, a spreadsheet with consistent categories. The single most important habit from day one is separating personal and business finances.
Days 31–45: Understand your tax obligations. If you will owe more than $1,000 in federal tax for the year, you likely need to make quarterly estimated payments—mark the four due dates on your calendar now. If you have employees (including yourself, if you elect S-corp taxation), set up payroll and understand your payroll tax filing requirements. If your business sells physical products, research your sales tax obligations.
Days 46–60: Protect the business. Review your insurance needs—general liability, professional liability, workers' compensation, and commercial auto, depending on your operations. File your BOI report with FinCEN if required. If you have a business name or logo you want to protect, research trademark registration. Put basic contracts in place for clients and vendors.
Days 61–75: Build your financial rhythm. Set a monthly bookkeeping date and stick to it. Start generating a monthly profit-and-loss statement so you can see how the business is actually performing. Set aside a percentage of every payment for taxes. Review your pricing—are your margins sufficient, or are you underpricing?
Days 76–90: Plan the next quarter. Review your first three months of actual results against your expectations. What is working? What is not? Adjust your pricing, your expenses, or your approach. If you are considering an S-corp election, model the numbers with your advisor. If you need financing, start preparing the documents a lender will want to see.
The businesses that succeed are not the ones that get everything right in the first 90 days—they are the ones that build the habits and systems that keep them organized, compliant, and informed as they grow. If you are in this window, a consultation can help you confirm that your foundation is solid before you build on it.
This article is general educational information and is not legal, accounting, tax, or investment advice. Rules, limits, and thresholds change. Insurance products and availability vary by state, carrier, underwriting, and licensing. Coverage is not effective until approved and issued by the carrier. Consult our office for guidance specific to your situation.