# Business launch checklist

This is a practical checklist, not legal or tax advice. Confirm requirements for your actual business address, business name, and services.

## Before your first independent paid session

- [ ] Choose a working business name; search name availability and social handles.
- [ ] Pick a business structure. Compare a sole proprietorship and LLC with a California small-business advisor or attorney; an LLC does not replace insurance.
- [ ] If using a fictitious business name, check Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder filing and publication requirements.
- [ ] Check the business-tax registration for the city where you conduct business. San José says businesses operating in the city must register for its Business Tax Certificate within 90 days.
- [ ] Ask the city/county whether a home-based business, training at parks, or use of client facilities requires additional registration or permissions.
- [ ] Obtain professional liability coverage for personal training and general liability coverage. Get written confirmation that the policy covers the services and locations you plan to use: in-home, mobile equipment, outdoor sessions, and virtual coaching. Ask about additional insured certificates and exclusions.
- [ ] Keep ACE certification and CPR/AED credentials current.
- [ ] Have a California attorney and your insurer review the intake, consent/waiver, cancellation policy, and marketing/photo release before use.
- [ ] Set up a separate business bank account and bookkeeping workflow. Record income and expenses; ask a tax professional about federal/state estimated taxes and recordkeeping.
- [ ] Create a secure process for completed health history and screening forms. Limit access; do not collect these through the public website, public email, GitHub, or ordinary text. Set a retention and deletion schedule.
- [ ] Finalize your session length, prices, service radius, travel fee, payment method, package terms, and cancellation policy.
- [x] Add the current business contact email to the website; test the mail link before launch.
- [ ] Replace or add your own training photos only with permission from any identifiable client. Get signed, separate photo/testimonial permission.
- [ ] Ask for honest client reviews; do not invent testimonials or imply results are typical.
- [ ] Keep incident notes and notify your insurer promptly when an injury or claim occurs.

## Local and official starting points

- [San José business tax registration](https://www.sanjoseca.gov/business/register-business-or-rental)
- [California Office of the Small Business Advocate: set up your business](https://calosba.ca.gov/for-small-businesses-and-non-profits/set-up-your-business-in-california/)
- [CalGOLD permits and licenses search](https://calgold.ca.gov/)
- [IRS self-employed individuals tax center](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employed-individuals-tax-center)
- [ACE professional resources and client forms](https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/ace-answers/)
- [Official PAR-Q+](https://parqplus.org/)

## Important website note

The forms in this public repository are blank templates for download only. Do not submit completed client forms here or collect health information in a public website form. Arrange a secure private process before onboarding clients.