💼 B2C · Module 3 · Lesson 14 of 34

Business setup basics

How to get started without overthinking incorporation, and what to handle now vs. later.

Look Credible & Set Up Your Assets ~2 min read

Don't let "I need to set up a company first" become an excuse to delay outreach. You can start talking to buyers and even land your first deal before everything is perfectly incorporated. Handle the basics in the right order.

What you can do now vs. later

Now (to start outreach): a business name, a domain + professional email, a one-page site, and a LinkedIn profile. That's enough to look legitimate and have conversations.

Soon (before/when money moves): register the business, sort out how you'll get paid, and put simple agreements in place.

Registering the business

Pick a simple structure to start — in the US an LLC is the common default; elsewhere the equivalent sole-trader/limited-company setup. Don't over-engineer it.
A registered business + business bank account makes you look credible and keeps finances clean (important later when you want to sell the company).
You can incorporate online in a day with services like Stripe Atlas, Firstbase, or a local equivalent.

Getting paid

Set up a way to invoice and collect payment — Stripe, PayPal, Wise, or bank transfer.
Charge upfront for your first deliveries, especially with smaller buyers. It protects your cash flow while you're learning.
Keep a simple record of who paid what — clean books from day one save pain later.

Simple agreements

You don't need a 20-page contract to start. A short, clear agreement covering what you deliver, the price per lead (or retainer), payment terms, and basic expectations is enough for most $1M–$10M buyers. Bigger buyers will bring their own contracts (MSAs) and compliance requirements — that's normal at that level.

Compliance — keep it clean

Have a privacy policy and follow email rules (CAN-SPAM / GDPR): identify yourself and honor opt-outs.
Only contact business addresses for a genuine business reason.
For regulated niches (some legal/insurance/health), expect buyers to ask about your lead sources and practices — being able to answer clearly is part of looking professional.

The trap to avoid: spending a month on incorporation paperwork instead of talking to buyers. Get the name, domain, email and profile up now; formalize the company in parallel. Momentum beats paperwork.

You're set up and credible. Module 4 is where the engine starts — finding your buyers with Scrupp.

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