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Module 1: Your Business Foundation

Module 1: Your Business Foundation

Course: Launch Fast — Local Services Duration: ~45 minutes Lessons: 6 Outcome: You've chosen your service, handled legal basics, understand your insurance needs, have the right equipment, and have your Google Business Profile claimed.

Lesson 1.1: Pick Your Service

Format: 📖 Reading | Duration: 8 min

Hook

The best business to start isn't the one that sounds coolest. It's the one that matches your skills, your market, and your willingness to do the work.

Concept

There are dozens of local services you can launch in under two weeks. The right one for you depends on three things:

1. What can you do (or learn quickly)? Some services require skills you already have. Others you can learn in a weekend from YouTube. Be honest about where you're starting.
Low Skill BarrierMedium Skill BarrierHigher Skill Barrier
Cleaning (residential)Pressure washingElectrical work
Dog walkingLawn care/landscapingPlumbing
Junk removalMobile detailingHVAC
Moving helpPainting (interior)Carpentry
Errand runningWindow cleaningAppliance repair
2. What does your market need? Check three things in your area: 3. What are you willing to do consistently? Starting a cleaning business is easy. Cleaning your 15th house this week requires a different kind of commitment. Pick something you can see yourself doing 5 days a week for the next year.

The Quick Decision Framework

Answer these three questions:

  1. Can I start within 2 weeks? (If it requires expensive equipment or long certifications, consider something simpler first.)
  2. Can I charge at least $50/hour? (Below this, growth is very slow.)
  3. Will customers need this again? (Recurring services build wealth. One-time services build revenue.)
The best starting businesses hit all three: fast to launch, good hourly rate, and recurring demand.

Bizzby in Action

Not sure which service to pick? Tell Alex your skills, interests, and location. Alex will have Maya research local demand and competition for your top 3 options and recommend the strongest opportunity.

Example

Carlos lived in a suburb of Houston. He was handy, liked being outdoors, and had a pickup truck. He asked Alex to compare three options: lawn care, pressure washing, and junk removal. Maya's research showed lawn care had 40+ competitors within 10 miles, pressure washing had 12, and junk removal had 8. The average pressure washing job in his area was $250. Carlos started with pressure washing and added junk removal as an upsell three months later.

Quiz

  1. Which factor matters MOST when picking a local service business?
- a) Which one sounds the coolest - b) Match between your skills, market demand, and willingness to do the work ✓ - c) Which one your friends think is a good idea - d) Which one has the fanciest equipment
  1. What's the advantage of a recurring service over a one-time service?
- a) Recurring services are easier - b) Recurring services build predictable, growing revenue ✓ - c) One-time services make more money - d) There's no difference

Action Item

Write down your top 3 service options. For each one, answer the three questions from the Quick Decision Framework. Send your top 3 to Alex for competitive research in your area.

Lesson 1.2: Legal Setup in a Day

Format: 📖 Reading | Duration: 10 min

Hook

Legal setup sounds intimidating. It's not. You can handle the essentials in a single day, often for under $200.

Concept

The 4 Things You Actually Need: 1. Business Structure: LLC or Sole Proprietorship
Sole ProprietorshipLLC
CostFree (you are the business)$50-$500 (varies by state)
Setup timeInstant1-7 days
Liability protectionNone (your personal assets at risk)Yes (separates personal and business)
TaxesReport on personal returnSame (pass-through by default)
Best forTesting an idea for < 30 daysAny real business you plan to grow
Recommendation: Get an LLC. It costs $50-$500 depending on your state and protects your personal assets if something goes wrong on a job. You can file online through your state's Secretary of State website in 15-30 minutes.

Don't pay $300+ for a filing service. The state website walks you through it. If you want help, services like ZenBusiness or Northwest Registered Agent do it for $39-$99.

2. EIN (Employer Identification Number) Get this for free at IRS.gov. Takes 5 minutes online. You need it to open a business bank account and file taxes. Think of it as a Social Security number for your business. 3. Business Bank Account Open a separate checking account for your business. This is critical. Never mix personal and business money. Most banks offer free business checking (Chase, Bank of America, or online banks like Relay or Mercury). You need your EIN and LLC documents to open one. 4. Business License Most cities require a general business license ($50-$200). Check your city's website. Some services have additional requirements:

What You Do NOT Need Right Now

The One-Day Legal Setup Checklist

  1. ☐ File LLC with your state ($50-$500, 15 min online)
  2. ☐ Get EIN at IRS.gov (free, 5 min)
  3. ☐ Open business bank account (30 min at a bank or online)
  4. ☐ Check city business license requirements (15 min research + application)
Total time: 1-2 hours. Total cost: $100-$700.

Bizzby in Action

Tell Alex your state and business type. Alex will research your exact requirements, provide links to your state's LLC filing page, and create a checklist customized to your location.

Example

Priya wanted to start a cleaning business in Georgia. Her legal setup:

Quiz

  1. Why should you get an LLC instead of staying a sole proprietorship?
- a) It sounds more professional - b) It protects your personal assets from business liability ✓ - c) It's required by law - d) It saves money on taxes
  1. What does an EIN cost?
- a) $100 - b) $50 - c) Free ✓ - d) $200

Action Item

File your LLC today (or this week). Go to your state's Secretary of State website, click "form an LLC" or "business filings," and follow the steps. It takes 15-30 minutes and $50-$500.

Lesson 1.3: Insurance — The Boring Thing That Saves You

Format: 📖 Reading | Duration: 8 min

Hook

Insurance is the least exciting thing you'll buy for your business. It's also the one that prevents a single bad day from ending everything.

Concept

The Two Policies You Need: 1. General Liability Insurance ($300-$800/year) This covers you if: For most local service businesses, a $1 million policy costs $25-$65/month. Get quotes from: 2. Commercial Auto Insurance (if you use a vehicle) Your personal auto insurance does NOT cover you while driving for business. If you're hauling equipment, driving to client sites, or using a wrapped vehicle, you need commercial auto ($1,000-$3,000/year) or at minimum a business-use endorsement added to your personal policy ($100-$300/year). Optional but Recommended:

Why Clients Ask About It

Many residential and most commercial clients will ask if you're insured before hiring you. Being able to say "Yes, I carry $1 million in general liability" immediately builds trust and lets you charge higher rates. Some property management companies and HOAs require proof of insurance before allowing you to work on their properties.

Bizzby in Action

Tell Alex your business type and state. Alex will research the specific insurance requirements for your industry and location, and recommend 2-3 providers to get quotes from.

Example

Marcus started a junk removal business in Tennessee. His insurance setup: He built the cost into his pricing: at an average of 15 jobs per month, insurance added about $15 per job to his costs. His clients never blinked at his rates because he was the only insured junk removal operator in his area competing against guys on Craigslist.

Quiz

  1. What's the most important insurance for a local service business?
- a) Life insurance - b) General liability insurance ✓ - c) Health insurance - d) Flood insurance

Action Item

Get a general liability insurance quote today. Go to NextInsurance.com or Thimble.com, enter your business type and state, and get a quote in under 5 minutes. You don't have to buy it right now, just know what it costs.

Lesson 1.4: Equipment and Supplies — Don't Overbuy

Format: 🎬 Video | Duration: 12 min

Video Description

Visual comparison of "starter kit" vs. "pro setup" for 5 popular services. Shows exact products, costs, and where to buy. Emphasizes starting with the minimum and upgrading as revenue grows.

Script Outline

  1. The #1 mistake (2 min): Spending $5,000 on equipment before you have a single client. Buy the minimum to do great work. Upgrade with revenue.
  2. Cleaning starter kit (2 min): $150-$300. Caddy, microfiber cloths, all-purpose cleaner, vacuum (if clients don't have one), mop.
  3. Pressure washing starter (2 min): $1,000-$3,000. Consumer-grade pressure washer ($300-$800), surface cleaner attachment ($100-$200), hoses, soap.
  4. Lawn care starter (2 min): $500-$2,000. Mower ($300-$800), trimmer ($100-$200), blower ($80-$150), basic hand tools.
  5. Mobile detailing starter (2 min): $500-$2,000. Portable water tank or access to client's hose, DA polisher ($100-$300), vacuum, products.
  6. The upgrade path (2 min): When to upgrade. Rule of thumb: upgrade when your current equipment is costing you time or quality.

Supporting Text

The Minimum Viable Equipment Rule: Buy the least expensive tools that let you deliver professional-quality work. If a $300 pressure washer cleans driveways just as well as a $3,000 one (just slower), start with the $300 one. Speed matters when you have 10 jobs a day. It doesn't matter when you have 2. Where to Buy: What NOT to buy yet:

Action Item

Make a list of the equipment you need to complete your first 5 jobs. Price it out. If total is under $500, buy it. If over $500, see what you can get used on Facebook Marketplace first.

Lesson 1.5: Business Launch Checklist

Format: 📋 Template | Duration: 5 min

Hook

30 items, organized by priority. Check them off as you go.

Checklist

WEEK 1: Legal & Setup
☐ Choose your business name
☐ File LLC with your state
☐ Get EIN from IRS.gov
☐ Open business bank account
☐ Apply for city business license
☐ Get general liability insurance quote (buy before first job)
☐ Check if your service needs any special licenses/permits
WEEK 1: Equipment & Supplies
☐ List equipment needed for first 5 jobs
☐ Purchase or acquire starter equipment
☐ Set up a storage system (garage, closet, truck)
☐ Get a dedicated phone number (Google Voice is free)
WEEK 1: Online Presence
☐ Claim Google Business Profile
☐ Create a Facebook Business page
☐ Create a Nextdoor Business profile
☐ Set up a simple website (your Bizzby team handles this)
☐ Get a professional email (yourname@yourbusiness.com)
WEEK 2: Pricing & Systems
☐ Set your pricing (use Module 2 framework)
☐ Create service packages (basic/standard/premium)
☐ Set up online booking (Calendly, Jobber, or Bizzby's system)
☐ Create a basic invoice template (Square, Wave, or Stripe)
☐ Write a simple service agreement/contract
WEEK 2: Marketing & Launch
☐ Write your first 5 social media posts
☐ Post your first Nextdoor introduction
☐ Tell 20 people you know about your business
☐ Join 3 local Facebook groups where your customers hang out
☐ Set up automated booking confirmations (Bizzby's Kai handles this)
☐ Create a Google Business Profile post
ONGOING
☐ Buy general liability insurance (before first paid job)
☐ Complete your first job
☐ Ask your first client for a Google review
☐ Set up your Bizzby weekly review rhythm

Action Item

Save this checklist. Start at the top. Your Bizzby team will handle many of these items, but this gives you the full picture of what needs to happen.

Lesson 1.6: Name Your Business + Claim Your Google Business Profile

Format: 🎯 Action | Duration: 15 min

Hook

Your Google Business Profile is the single most important free marketing tool for a local service business. Let's get it set up right now.

Naming Your Business

Keep it simple. The best local service business names: Avoid: Quick test: Say your business name out loud to someone. Ask them to spell it. If they can't, pick something else.

Claiming Your Google Business Profile

This is the #1 action you can take today for free client acquisition. When someone searches "cleaning service near me," Google shows the map pack first. You want to be in that map pack.

Step-by-step:
  1. Go to business.google.com
  2. Sign in with a Google account (create one for your business if needed)
  3. Enter your business name
  4. Choose your business category (be specific: "House Cleaning Service" not just "Cleaning")
  5. Add your service area (the cities/neighborhoods you serve)
  6. Add your phone number and website (Bizzby can create one for you)
  7. Verify your business (usually a postcard to your address, sometimes by phone)
Optimize it immediately:

Bizzby in Action

Tell Alex your business name and location. Sam will create and optimize your Google Business Profile, write your description, and set up all the categories and attributes. Jordan will draft weekly Google posts for you.

Action Item

  1. Pick your business name (spend 10 minutes max on this)
  2. Go to business.google.com and claim your profile
  3. Add at least 3 photos and your service area
  4. Send Alex your Google Business Profile link so your team can optimize it

Module 1 Quiz

5 questions
  1. What's the recommended business structure for a local service business?
- a) Sole proprietorship - b) LLC ✓ - c) Corporation - d) Partnership
  1. How much does an EIN cost?
- a) $100 - b) $50 - c) Free ✓ - d) $200
  1. What type of insurance should you get before your first paid job?
- a) Health insurance - b) General liability insurance ✓ - c) Life insurance - d) Dental insurance
  1. What's the most important free online tool for a local service business?
- a) TikTok - b) Google Business Profile ✓ - c) LinkedIn - d) Pinterest
  1. When should you buy commercial-grade equipment?
- a) Before your first job - b) When your current equipment costs you time or quality ✓ - c) Never - d) When you feel like it

Module 1 Agent Prompt

"Alex, I'm starting a [service type] business in [city]. Please create my ideal customer profile and suggest 3 specific neighborhoods to target first."