How to Start a Business: An Insiders Guide to Building Wealth and Independence
- Jacqueline May
- Oct 7
- 4 min read
Starting a business is one of the boldest and most rewarding moves an ambitious woman can make.
It is not just about financial independence, it is about claiming your seat at the table, creating generational wealth, and shaping conversations in boardrooms, at dinner parties, and beyond.
How do we know? We've done it. And if you have been thinking about it, you can too!
Whether you are launching a luxury lifestyle brand, a consultancy, or your first side hustle, this guide will walk you through the practical steps we have learned to build a business with confidence and clarity.
Step 1: Clarify Your Vision and Business Model
Before you register your company, you need a clear idea of:
What you are offering: product, service, or platform.
Who you are serving: your target audience or ideal client.
How you will make money: subscriptions, one time purchases, services, or affiliate revenue.
Action step: Write a one sentence business mission. Example: “I help ambitious women curate luxurious yet attainable travel experiences that inspire connection and confidence.
Step 2: Choose Your Business Structure
For most entrepreneurs in the U.S., forming an LLC (Limited Liability Company) is the smartest first step. It separates your personal assets from your business liabilities and allows pass through taxation.
LLC (Limited Liability Company): Flexible, protects personal assets, pass through taxation.
S-Corp: Can provide tax savings once you reach consistent profitability.
C-Corp: Best for startups seeking outside investment or planning to scale quickly.
Sole Proprietorship: Simplest setup, but no liability protection.
Action step: Check your state’s business entity database and file your Articles of Organization. Costs vary by state, usually between $50 and $500.
Step 3: Register Your Business Name and Get an EIN
Business Name: Check availability with your state and the USPTO trademark search tool.
EIN (Employer Identification Number): Free from the IRS. You will need it for banking, taxes, and payroll.
Action step: Secure your business name, domain name, and social media handles to build a consistent brand presence.
Step 4: Set Up Business Banking and Finances
Separating personal and business finances is not just smart, it is essential.
Open a business checking account.
Apply for a business credit card to build credit and earn rewards.
Set up accounting software such as QuickBooks or Wave.
Action step: Create a simple budget that covers startup costs, recurring expenses, and revenue projections.
Step 5: Get the Right Licenses and Permits
Depending on your industry and state, you may need additional licenses.
Use the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) License and Permits tool to see what is required for your business.
Step 6: Protect Yourself Legally
High achieving women know that success is built on solid legal ground.
Draft an Operating Agreement for your LLC.
Set up contracts for clients, vendors, and partners.
Add a Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions to your website.
Toolkit: Free LLC Operating Agreement templates
Iubenda for privacy policies and cookie banners
Action step: Work with a business attorney or use reputable templates and service providers like LegalZoom to cover your bases from day one.
Step 7: Build Your Brand
A business is not just what you sell, it is how you are perceived.
Choose a name and logo that aligns with your vision.
Craft your brand story because your why is just as important as your what.
Develop your online presence with a website, social media, and an email list.
Toolkit: Our favorite Website Builders
Our favorite Design Tools
Step 8: Set Up Marketing and Sales
Clients will not find you by accident. You need a plan.
Social Media: Share consistent, high value content that educates and inspires.
Email Marketing: Build a list early to nurture relationships.
Paid Ads: Explore Google Ads or Meta Ads to scale.
Networking: Attend industry events, luxury gatherings, and professional groups. This is where ambitious women connect and where doors open.
Action step: Create a 90 day marketing plan with clear goals for visibility, engagement, and conversions.
Step 9: Plan for Growth and Future Moves
As your business grows, it’s tempting to rush into new structures. One common mistake is switching from an LLC to an S-Corp too early. While an S-Corp can lower self employment taxes once you are paying yourself a substantial salary, it also comes with more compliance requirements such as payroll, stricter tax filings, and higher accounting costs.
If your business is not consistently earning enough to justify those extra costs, the S-Corp may end up costing more than it saves.
Read “When to Switch from LLC to S-Corp: A Strategic Guide for Ambitious Women” to understand when it might be best to switch from an LLC to an S-Corp.
Explore business insurance options such as liability, errors and omissions, and cyber insurance.
Begin building standard operating procedures (SOPs) to free your time for leadership and strategy.
The Atelier Perspective: Building with Intention
Starting a business is not just paperwork, branding, or marketing campaigns. It is about building a life on your own terms, creating wealth that lasts, and surrounding yourself with a network that elevates you.
The Ambition Atelier believes every woman deserves access to the tools, knowledge, and community to spark meaningful conversations and rise with confidence without the old boys club.
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