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Business 101 · one page at a time

Starting a business? Start here.

Do not try to do everything. Read one block. Do the next thing. Then come back.

Show me the first stepI am in debt · make a plan
Start here

Four simple steps.

You do not need a ten-step plan today. Start at the first card and move only when that card is done.

1

Set up the business.

Choose the right foundation before you build on it.

Do this now
  • Learn the entity basics
  • Ask qualified professionals about your situation
  • Make this your first setup task
Start with business formation
2

Learn the money system.

Know where your money should go before you start moving it around.

Do this now
  • Read Profit First
  • Understand the idea first
  • Make it fit your industry later
Get Profit First
3

Open a business bank account.

Keep business money separate so it is easier to see and use.

Do this now
  • Open the account
  • Create simple money buckets
  • Use it for business only
Explore Relay
4

Get clients.

Your job now is to sell, serve, and learn from real work.

Do this now
  • Make an offer
  • Talk to people
  • Deliver before you overbuild
Do not do this yet

Do not out-system your sales.

Skip

Building a complicated system before you have a real repeatable process.

Do

Take messy action, get clients, and learn what actually repeats.

Come back

When you have two to three clients and know what needs to be clearer.

Helpful tools · not homework

Use these only when you need them.

Save this list. Do not sign up for everything. Each card tells you the moment it becomes useful.

Use later

SurePayroll

When you are ready to put yourself on payroll

The user’s preferred setup experience. It integrates easily with QuickBooks.

Explore SurePayroll
Use later

Chase Sapphire

When a card fits your business spending plan

The user likes the rewards and consumer protections. Review current terms, fees, and eligibility first.

Review the offer
Use later

QuickBooks

When you need one home for bookkeeping

The recommended bookkeeping software. The user keeps payroll in SurePayroll.

Explore QuickBooks
Use later

Book Ease

When you need tax support that understands your structure

The user’s tax-provider recommendation. The user does their own bookkeeping and uses support for taxes.

Explore Book Ease
After you have clients

Then build the systems.

Now you have real work, real questions, and real proof of what deserves a process.

Use later

Contract Stackr

After you have opportunities to manage in a pipeline

SOS VA’s CRM helps pull government contract opportunities directly into your pipeline.

Save this for later

Use later

ClickUp

After you have enough work to organize

The user’s home for personal and business work—not another project before you have projects.

Explore ClickUp

Free Claude skill for building your systems

This resource is coming soon—after you have enough real work to make the system useful.

Link coming soon
Optional · later

Need help with a process you already use?

Pocket Coaching is for after you have tried the setup, have a couple of clients, and know the process you want to improve.

  • One 1:1 call
    Strategy and build support during the call.
  • 30 days in Slack
    Ask Megan + the SOS Team questions as you build for assistance.
  • Not done for you
    You stay in the driver’s seat.
Book Pocket Coaching
Different starting point?

You are in debt. Start with a plan.

You can own a business and make a clear debt plan at the same time. Take one practical step before taking on another tool.

Make a debt plan
Build a ClickUp service

Want to help clients run ClickUp?

See a simple path for turning real ClickUp experience into a client-support offer—without making claims about partner status or income.

Explore ClickUp VSP