The master ebook
Eight chapters, one per phase, in order. Each chapter gives you a plain-language explainer, a worked example with Maria, the costly mistake to avoid, and exactly what to do next.
Front matter shows you how to use the whole system and maps the runway; the back matter is a full glossary that defines every term the first time it appears — so nothing reads like jargon.
Checklists
9 PDFsScannable, standalone, checkbox format — follow them without re-reading the ebook. Where a step is state-specific, the line says so and points you to your state's portal.
Readiness checklist
Confirm the idea is viable before you fund it.
Entity decision checklist
Work through the structure decision step by step.
Formation checklist
File, get your EIN, and handle licenses in order.
Banking & books checklist
Open the account and stand up clean bookkeeping.
Tax setup checklist
Sales tax, quarterly estimates, and key deadlines.
Legal & insurance checklist
Contracts, coverage, and worker classification.
Operations launch checklist
Pricing, invoicing, and your first hire.
Compliance checklist
Annual filings and staying in good standing.
Master "0 to Open" checklist
Chains all eight phases as gates — the capstone.
Excel tools
11 calculatorsFill the marked cells and trust the answer — built for people who don't love spreadsheets. Every volatile rate sits in a single "figures to verify" block so the math stays current.
Startup Cost Estimator
Total what it really takes to open.
Breakeven Calculator
Find the sales you need to cover costs.
Entity Comparison + Tax Estimator
See the sole-prop vs. S-corp tax tradeoff.
Estimated Quarterly Tax Calculator
Set each quarter's payment with confidence.
Pricing & Margin Calculator
Price for real profit, not guesswork.
Bookkeeping Ledger + Chart of Accounts
Track income and expenses from day one.
Mileage & Home-Office Log
Capture the deductions you're entitled to.
W-9 / 1099 Tracker
Keep contractor paperwork audit-ready.
Invoice + AR Tracker
Send invoices and see who still owes you.
Cash Flow Forecaster
See money in and out, weeks ahead.
Deadline & Compliance Tracker
Never miss a filing or renewal.
Calling scripts
13 one-pagersFor the calls you dread. Each script gives you who you're calling and why, what to have ready, a word-for-word opening, the questions to ask, and what to write down — so you can run the call straight off the page.
Calling a CPA (entity)
Get a structure gut-check without overpaying.
State filing office
Confirm your formation steps and fees.
IRS EIN line
Get your EIN over the phone, calmly.
Registered agent
Set up or confirm your agent of record.
City / local license office
Sort the permits your locality requires.
Opening a business bank account
Walk in with everything they'll ask for.
State sales-tax registration
Register correctly the first time.
Insurance broker quote
Ask for the right coverage, not upsells.
Sending a contract to your first client
Present terms without the awkwardness.
Negotiating net-30 with a vendor
Buy time on payment, professionally.
Collecting a late invoice
Get paid without burning the relationship.
The first-contractor conversation
Set expectations and classification right.
Interviewing a bookkeeper / CPA
Know what to ask before you hire help.
Fill-in templates
7 documentsBracketed fields for everything you supply, with plain-English notes on what each section does. The agreements carry a clear "starting point — have it reviewed before you rely on it" flag.
Operating Agreement
The internal rules for your LLC.
Client Services Agreement
Set terms before you take on work.
Independent Contractor Agreement
Engage helpers the right way.
Invoice template
Bill cleanly and look professional.
SOP template
Write down how the work gets done.
Vendor Info Sheet
Keep supplier details in one place.
Engagement / Scope template
Define what's in and out of a job.