- A separate business bank account
Non-negotiable, from transaction one.
- A simple contract or engagement letter
Even a short one. It sets expectations and protects you both.
- A way to invoice and get paid
Decide this before you need it, not while a client is waiting.
- Basic liability coverage
What you need varies by industry, but “I'll figure it out if something happens” is not a plan.
- A place to track income and expenses from day one
It doesn't need to be fancy. It needs to exist before the first dollar comes in.
None of this is glamorous, and that's exactly why people skip it. But every one of these takes less time to set up before you're busy than to untangle after you are.
