The Beginners Guide to Opening a Business
The Beginner’s Guide to Opening a Business (The Right Way)
By Brianna Hall
So you’ve got the idea. You’re fired up. You’re ready to launch your dream and start making money doing what you love. But where do you even begin?
If you’re reading this, first off—congrats. Taking the leap into entrepreneurship is a big deal, and I’m so proud of you for exploring it the smart way.
But before you hire a designer, build a website, or start that Instagram account, let’s take a breath. Because the first steps of business aren’t branding or sales—they’re foundation. And most of the time, people skip them. (Which leads to expensive fixes later.)
Let’s walk through the exact steps I recommend to every woman just starting her business.
💡 Step 1: Validate Before You Brand
Before you design a logo or claim a name, you need to know what you’re building. Start with:
Competitor research – Who’s offering something similar in your area or niche? What are they doing well? What are they charging?
Service comparison – Take notes on what equipment they use, what their packages include, and what their customer reviews say.
Price point analysis – Don’t guess your pricing. Research average rates in your industry and market.
👉 Why this matters: You’re building a business, not just a vibe. And you can’t brand what you don’t understand yet.
📝 Step 2: Pick a Name (But Check First)
Once you’ve got a clear view of what you’ll offer and what makes you different, it’s time to choose a name—but hold up:
Search for your business name on Google, Instagram, and domain platforms. If someone is already using it, pick something else.
Check your state’s Secretary of State (SOS) website to see if the name is available to register as an LLC or other entity.
Search for available domains—you don’t need to buy it right away, but make sure a matching domain is out there.
📌 Step 3: Form Your Business Entity
You’ve validated your idea, you’ve picked a name—now it’s time to make it official.
Register your business entity (LLC, sole proprietorship, or something else) with your state. This is done through the Secretary of State website.
Apply for an EIN (Employer Identification Number) with the IRS. It’s free and you’ll use it for taxes and business banking.
Check if you need a business license through your city or county—especially for service-based or brick-and-mortar businesses.
👉 Pro Tip: Even if you’re not ready to launch, doing this now gives you credibility, protects your name, and opens up business banking and insurance.
💼 Step 4: Assemble Your Professional Team
You don’t need a huge budget to be professional—you just need the right help:
A CPA (Certified Public Accountant) – They’ll help you understand taxes, write-offs, bookkeeping tools, and set up your systems from day one.
An attorney – Helpful for reviewing contracts, partnerships, or anything you don’t fully understand.
A business bank account – Keep your finances separate from the start. It’s not only smart—it’s required by law for LLCs.
🚫 Wait on Branding (Seriously)
I know you’re excited to pick colors, make a logo, and post your first Reel. But branding comes after strategy. Why?
Because your messaging, visuals, and vibe should support your business goals. And we can’t create that until we know who you are, what you’re selling, and why people should care.
Once your foundation is clear and your paperwork is done, then we can move into the fun part:
✨ Building your brand. Creating visuals. Launching your marketing strategy.
🤝 Need a Business Wingwoman?
That’s where I come in.
As a business consultant and brand strategist, I work one-on-one with women who are building something new—whether you need help making decisions, launching the right way, or keeping everything organized and moving forward.
You can hire me as your:
Launch consultant – To help you clarify your goals, offerings, pricing, and ideal client
Temporary operations manager – To streamline the logistics and build your backend systems as you grow
Branding and marketing partner – To help you create your logo, visuals, messaging, and launch strategy
Together, we’ll take your idea from “someday” to strategic, profitable, and sustainable.
📲 Ready to Launch With Confidence?
Let’s talk about your business goals and make a plan.
👉 Book a Discovery Call or message me on Instagram @brandedmarketing_co