launch-businesslisted

# Launch Business The ordered checklist from "money committed" to "doors open." ## The sequence (dependency order — do NOT skip) ### Legal (weeks 1-2) 1. File LLC Articles of Organization ($70) 2. Obtain EIN (same-day online) 3. Draft operating agreement 4. Open business bank account ### Compliance (weeks 2-6) 5. City business license 6. Seller's permit / sales tax (CDTFA) 7. Health permit (food: plan check 6-10 weeks) 8. Signage permit 9. Sidewalk/parklet (if applicable) ### Protection (week 3) 10. General liability ($1M/$2M) 11. Workers' comp (from employee #1) 12. Additional insured certificates ### Physical (weeks 4-16) 13. Lease execution (4 must-haves negotiated) 14. Contractor walk-through 15. Buildout / TI 16. Equipment + testing 17. Utilities ### Systems (weeks 14-16) 18. POS setup 19. Bank feed / accounting 20. Email + Google Business Profile ### People (weeks 14-16) 21. Job descriptions + postings 22. I-9 / W-4 23. Training + SOPs ### Opening (weeks 16-18) 24. Soft open (test) 25. Hard open (public launch) 26. First-week metrics baseline ## Timeline - Food with buildout: 5-8 months - Service/retail: 2-3 months - Kiosk/cart: 4-8 weeks