Check out the Small Business Administration website if you are in the US. Lots of good info there and check our SCORES while your there - you might get some free help to guide you.

You don’t need everything all at once - so prioritize the things that will either protect you (Insurance) or make you money (Equipment, advertising if you need it, etc…)

Announce your business on your FB, Insta, TT, etc… and check with your local chamber of commerce to see how they can help.

Here are some basics

Get capital, let’s say you only need $1000 to start save $3-5000 and spend money like you only have $1000.

Start advertising asap you can get an LLC online. It’s super simple.

Get a separate bank account with debit card.

Save every receipt and transaction. It’ll pay off when you go legit and need to do actual bookkeeping.

For my business I have a whole separate phone for the business it made it a lot easier when I hired my office manager.

Make money first before you go over the table once you are in business for a year or 2 then go I’ve the table.

That’s just some tips, message me if you have more questions. Good lucky!

for starters i can help you get a business number, check dm

“….how do I take this from an idea to a functioning business?”

There is process for this.

And, if you want meaningful help here, it would pay to organize your thoughts and provide relevant information.

For example, “I know exactly what I want to do…”

What is it? You didn’t mention it.

Aside from googling, you can probably ask around other business owners who are in or related to the thing you want to do. Ask them if they can be your mentor while you help or do something for them as compensation. But honestly, almost any good business owners will take you under their wing if you are really serious about the thing you want to do.

Check out your local SBA for help! They can get your business legitimized!

You really don’t need to do anything to get started. You don’t need license, permit, insurance, capital or equipment. Half the time you’ll find your idea sucks. I’ve started many businesses using my cell phone and they all started as a side hustles. Some actually became a real biz. Once I had a cash flow I had to determine future direction. And the ones that failed didn’t cause any financial hardship. People who studied business learn all the goofy stuff, but those of us who have done it know it’s not needed.

" I know I need equipment to provide the service my business is based around"

So glad to see this^ and not “I have $20 what business should I start?” Or “How do I make 6 figures being a youtuber/streamer/influencer?”

Good on you for pursuing real business and serving a need in your community. There’s lots of good advice here. I’ll just add to do good work and treat your customers well. Those two things will take you very far.

A website is not necessary right away, when business gets going you can always add that easily. I would really try not to spend any money when you’re starting up. You can get a business Gmail account, depending on what type of business - will your customers/clients be contacting you via email? If the answer is yes, then I’d definitely do this. It doesn’t cost anything. And just use your own cell number.

As far as getting the word out, use social media. Post on your own page, and ask family/friends to share your posts. And join your town and neighboring towns’ FB pages and post there.

Good luck!

Research and Planning:

Define your business idea clearly.

Research your target market, competitors, and industry trends.

Outline a basic business plan with goals, target audience, and initial budget.

Legal Structure and Licensing:

Decide on the legal structure of your business (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, etc.).

Register your business with the appropriate authorities in your county and state.

Obtain any necessary licenses or permits for your specific industry.

Finances:

Open a business bank account to keep your personal and business finances separate.

Set up an accounting system to track income and expenses.

Consider consulting with an accountant to ensure compliance with tax regulations.

Equipment and Supplies:

Identify the equipment and supplies needed to provide your service.

Research suppliers and compare prices to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Online Presence:

Create a professional website. Platforms like Shopify or WordPress make it relatively easy.

Set up social media accounts on platforms relevant to your target audience (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, Twitter).

Utilize these platforms to showcase your services, interact with potential customers, and build your brand.

Marketing:

Develop a marketing strategy that aligns with your target audience.

Consider online and offline marketing channels.

Utilize social media, content marketing, and possibly paid advertising to reach your audience.

Communication:

You don’t necessarily need a new phone or number, but consider having a dedicated line for business calls.

Set up a professional email address associated with your business domain.

Networking:

Attend local networking events to connect with other business owners and potential customers.

Join relevant online communities and forums.

Customer Service:

Establish excellent customer service practices to build positive reviews and repeat business.

Respond promptly to inquiries and feedback.

Scale and Improve:

As your business grows, assess what’s working and what can be improved.

Explore opportunities for expansion or diversification.

Small business administration. Find what customers want, build around that.