Where to begin.
Business Startup Paperwork Checklist
1. Naming & Registration
☐ DBA (Doing Business As) filing if operating under a trade name
☐ LLC/Corporation formation documents (Articles of Organization or Incorporation)
☐ Operating Agreement / Corporate Bylaws (internal rules for ownership and management)
☐ Trademark registration (protect your guild’s emblem/name)
☐ Domain name registration (your digital guild hall)
2. Tax & Identification
☐ Employer Identification Number (EIN) from IRS (like your guild’s ID number)
☐ State tax registration (sales tax, franchise tax, etc.)
☐ Local tax permits (county/city requirements)
☐ Business license (general license to operate in your jurisdiction)
3. Financial Setup
☐ Business bank account paperwork (requires EIN + formation docs)
☐ Accounting software setup (guild ledger)
☐ Initial capital contribution records (document who invested what)
4. Legal & Compliance
☐ Contracts and agreements (partnership agreements, vendor contracts)
☐ Insurance policies (general liability, workers’ comp, property)
☐ Permits or certifications (industry-specific, e.g., food service, construction)
☐ Zoning permits (if operating from a physical location)
5. Branding & Marketing
☐ Logo and brand style guide (guild crest and colors)
☐ Website setup documents (hosting, SSL certificate)
☐ Social media account registrations
☐ Marketing plan (guild recruitment posters)
6. Employment & HR (if hiring)
☐ Employee handbook (guild rules for members)
☐ Payroll registration (state and federal)
☐ I-9 and W-4 forms for employees
☐ Workers’ compensation insurance
7. Recordkeeping & Archives
☐ Minutes of meetings (guild council notes)
☐ Annual report filings (required in most states for LLCs/Corporations)
☐ Compliance calendar (deadlines for taxes, renewals, reports)
to begin a Guild.
This checklist covers all the core paperwork most entrepreneurs forget: licenses, tax IDs, contracts, insurance, and compliance filings.
How a proper plan should look
📑 Business Plan Template
1. Executive Summary (Guild Introduction)
Purpose: A concise overview of your business idea, mission, and vision.
Contents:
Business name, location, and structure (DBA/LLC/etc.)
Mission statement (why your guild exists)
Vision statement (long-term goals)
Brief summary of products/services
Snapshot of financial goals
2. Company Description (Guild Identity)
Purpose: Explain who you are and what problem you solve.
Contents:
Legal structure (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, nonprofit)
History or inspiration for starting the business
Industry overview and niche focus
Unique value proposition (your guild’s special skill)
3. Market Analysis (Guild’s World Map)
Purpose: Show you understand your environment.
Contents:
Industry trends and growth potential
Target market demographics (who you recruit)
Competitor analysis (other guilds in the realm)
Market needs and opportunities
4. Organization & Management (Guild Hierarchy)
Purpose: Define leadership and roles.
Contents:
Ownership breakdown
Management team bios
Advisory board or mentors
Operating agreement (guild rules)
5. Products & Services (Guild Arsenal)
Purpose: Detail what you offer.
Contents:
Description of products/services
Pricing strategy
Lifecycle (development, updates, support)
Intellectual property (patents, trademarks)
6. Marketing & Sales Strategy (Guild Recruitment Posters)
Purpose: Explain how you’ll attract and retain customers.
Contents:
Branding (logo, colors, messaging)
Website and digital presence
Advertising channels (social media, SEO, events)
Sales funnel and customer journey
7. Operations Plan (Guild Daily Quests)
Purpose: Show how the business runs day-to-day.
Contents:
Location and facilities
Technology and equipment
Suppliers and partners
Workflow and processes
8. Financial Plan (Guild Treasury)
Purpose: Demonstrate financial viability.
Contents:
Startup costs and funding needs
Revenue projections
Expense forecasts
Break-even analysis
Profit & loss statements
Cash flow projections
9. Appendices (Guild Archives)
Purpose: Provide supporting documents.
Contents:
Resumes of key team members
Market research data
Legal documents (DBA, LLC filings, contracts)
Branding mockups
DBA Filing Websites by State (Full URLs)
Links to All 50 States: You can find the full list of Secretary of State websites for DBA filings.
# | State | DBA Filing Website |
1 | Alabama | |
2 | Alaska | |
3 | Arizona | |
4 | Arkansas | |
5 | California | |
6 | Colorado | |
7 | Connecticut | |
8 | Delaware | |
9 | Florida | |
10 | Georgia | |
11 | Hawaii | |
12 | Idaho | |
13 | Illinois | |
14 | Indiana | |
15 | Iowa | |
16 | Kansas | |
17 | Kentucky | |
18 | Louisiana | |
19 | Maine | |
20 | Maryland | |
21 | Massachusetts | |
22 | Michigan | |
23 | Minnesota | |
24 | Mississippi | |
25 | Missouri | |
26 | Montana | |
27 | Nebraska | |
28 | Nevada | |
29 | New Hampshire | |
30 | New Jersey | |
31 | New Mexico | |
32 | New York | |
33 | North Carolina | |
34 | North Dakota | |
35 | Ohio | |
36 | Oklahoma | |
37 | Oregon | |
38 | Pennsylvania | |
39 | Rhode Island | |
40 | South Carolina | |
41 | South Dakota | |
42 | Tennessee | |
43 | Texas | |
44 | Utah | |
45 | Vermont | |
46 | Virginia | |
47 | Washington | |
48 | West Virginia | |
49 | Wisconsin | |
50 | Wyoming |
A Final Note
NOTEABLE LINKS.
IRS EIN Application (Employer Identification Number):
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-onlineTrademark Registration – USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office):
https://www.uspto.gov/trademarksSmall Business Administration (SBA) Guide:
https://www.sba.gov/business-guide
“There is a certain peace that comes with knowing more and choosing better.”