Starting a Business Planner
SOS, EIN, licenses, banking, and the coverage words that show up in contracts.
This page is for education only. It is not a quote, offer, or recommendation to buy insurance. Policies and laws change — verify details with official sources and your own insurer when you have one.
A Tennessee small-business launch planner: entity and SOS steps, tax IDs, licenses, then coverage words by trade. Educational only. Not legal, tax, or insurance advice. Not an offer to sell or bind coverage.
Entity and formation
- Write one paragraph: what you sell, who pays you, hire plan, storefront vs mobile.
- Compare sole prop / partnership / LLC / corporation with a TN attorney and tax pro.
- Search name availability on Tennessee Secretary of State business tools.
- File formation documents at sos.tn.gov; keep stamped copies and registered-agent info.
- Draft an operating agreement or bylaws even if SOS doesn’t collect them.
SOS, tax ID, and banking
- Obtain an EIN from IRS.gov when required or useful for banking and hiring.
- Open a dedicated business bank account; stop mixing personal spend.
- Register applicable TN tax accounts via Department of Revenue / TN.gov portals.
- Calendar SOS annual reports so the entity stays in good standing.
- Track assumed-name / DBA filings if the public brand differs from the legal name.
Licenses and local gates
- County/city business license and zoning / certificate of occupancy as required.
- State board licenses for regulated crafts (contractors, cosmetology, etc.).
- Health department, fire, and propane rules for food operations.
- Confirm home-occupation rules before client visits at a residence.
- Save every permit PDF in one folder tied to the entity name.
Insurance literacy — contractor
- General liability + ability to add GCs/owners as additional insured.
- Commercial auto or proper business-use coverage for work vehicles.
- Tools / inland marine for gear that leaves the shop.
- Workers’ compensation — verify current TN thresholds and contract requirements.
- Distinguish bonds (license/bid) from liability insurance.
Insurance literacy — salon / beauty
- Premises general liability for slips and customer injury claims.
- Professional liability related to services (ask how the form treats treatments).
- Business personal property for chairs, stations, and inventory.
- Workers’ comp when you have employees — verify TN rules.
- Landlord COI requirements: named insured vs additional interest wording.
Insurance literacy — food truck
- Commercial auto for the truck as a vehicle on public roads.
- General liability for vending operations at sites and events.
- Equipment / build-out property; ask about spoilage and power-loss angles.
- Workers’ comp if you have employees — verify official thresholds.
- Event organizers often want certificates — learn COI fields before festival season.
Insurance literacy — freelancer / consultant
- General liability if clients or coworking leases require it.
- Professional liability / E&O for advice, design, or specialized services.
- Cyber / privacy conversations if you store client data (specialty products).
- Don’t assume a homeowners policy covers business property or client visits.
- Personal vs commercial auto if driving is part of client delivery.
After launch — monthly habits
- Invoice and expense hygiene from week one.
- Renew licenses before they lapse; screenshot confirmations.
- Revisit COI limits when contracts change.
- Re-run a business-risk literacy quiz when you hire or lease space.
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Steal this planner — Starting a Business Planner
SOS, EIN, licenses, banking, and the coverage words that show up in contracts.