Starting a salon: your first-month checklist

The usual order of things. Pick your state below for its exact rules, deadlines and official links.

1. 1

   Check your cosmetology or barber licenses

   Stylists, barbers and nail techs need a license from your state board of cosmetology, and many states also license the shop itself.

2. 2

   Get general and professional liability insurance

   Covers a client who slips and a treatment that goes wrong. Chair-rental salons often require it. See options

3. 3

   Get your EIN

   Free from the IRS, online in about 10 minutes. Banks, clients and payroll all ask for it. You never need to pay a service for it. How to get it free

4. 4

   Open a business bank account

   Keeps the company's money separate from yours, which is what protects your LLC. See options

5. 5

   Set up booking and invoicing

   Online booking and automatic invoices get you paid faster. See options

6. 6

   Register for sales tax if you sell taxable goods or services

   Most states require a seller's permit before your first taxable sale.

7. 7

   Payroll and workers' comp before your first hire

   Most states require workers' comp once you have employees, and payroll software handles the tax filings. See options