Week 01 · Forge Curriculum
BUSINESS FOUNDATIONS™
The Business Checklist
Build the foundation of a legitimate, professional, and scalable contractor business. Learn how to establish the systems, structure, and operational framework necessary to compete with larger companies while avoiding common startup mistakes that slow growth and create liability.
Topics Covered
What this week covers
Business Formation
- Choosing the Right Business Structure
- Sole Proprietorship Considerations
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
- Corporation Structures
- Partnership Agreements
- Business Naming Strategies
Business Planning
- Creating a Business Plan
- Defining Service Offerings
- Identifying Target Markets
- Establishing Revenue Goals
- Building Growth Objectives
- Competitive Analysis
Banking & Financial Setup
- Business Banking Accounts
- Separating Personal and Business Finances
- Merchant Processing Setup
- Business Credit Development
- Cash Flow Planning
- Financial Controls
Professional Business Identity
- Company Name Selection
- Domain Registration
- Professional Email Setup
- Business Phone Systems
- Virtual Phone Numbers
- Company Contact Standards
Brand Development
- Logo Creation
- Brand Standards
- Color Palette Selection
- Typography Standards
- Vehicle Branding
- Uniform Standards
Business Infrastructure
- Office Setup
- Remote Office Considerations
- Equipment Requirements
- Technology Stack Selection
- File Storage Systems
- Communication Platforms
Legal Documentation
- Customer Agreements
- Service Agreements
- Terms and Conditions
- Privacy Policies
- Proposal Templates
- Change Order Documentation
Technology Setup
- Business Email Configuration
- Cloud Storage Systems
- Calendar Systems
- CRM Selection
- Password Management
- Internal Communication Tools
Contractor Essentials
- Estimating Systems
- Proposal Development
- Invoice Templates
- Payment Collection Methods
- Scheduling Systems
- Lead Tracking Processes
Professional Presence
- Website Requirements
- Google Business Profile Preparation
- Social Media Foundations
- Online Directory Listings
- Review Platform Setup
- Reputation Management Basics
Business Launch Preparation
- Pre-Launch Checklist
- Operational Readiness Review
- Customer Communication Standards
- Sales Process Development
- Lead Handling Procedures
- Launch Timeline Planning
Homework Assignment
This Week's Homework
Complete the Business Foundations Checklist.
Deliverables
What You Walk Away With
- Business Foundations Workbook
- Business Startup Checklist
- Contractor Launch Guide
- Professional Identity Worksheet
- Business Infrastructure Planner
- Technology Setup Checklist
- Contractor Readiness Assessment
- Business Launch Roadmap
Outcome
By The End Of This Module
A properly structured contractor business with the foundational systems, branding, operational tools, and professional infrastructure required to support long-term growth and profitability.
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