Guides for starting and running a local business
How to open in 60 trades, from the license and insurance to the first customers, and 15 playbooks for where jobs leak once the leads arrive. Every guide cites the agencies and studies it draws on.
Browse by category
- Running the businessMissed calls, follow-up, reviews15 guides
- Home servicesHvac, plumbing, electricians17 guides
- Remodeling and constructionKitchen and bath remodeling, general contractors, painting11 guides
- Med spas and aestheticsMed spa, injectors, laser clinics5 guides
- Wellness, clinics and personal careChiropractors, physical therapy, medical clinics9 guides
- Restaurants and foodRestaurant, cafes and coffee shops, bakeries6 guides
- Other local businessesAuto repair, auto detailing, law firms12 guides
In season in October
The trades whose demand peaks this month, from the demand calendar on each trade's page. A good time to open is a few months before the rush.
- HVACBusy season
- PlumbingBusy season
- ElectriciansBusy season
- RoofingBusy season
- Garage doorsBusy season
- Pest controlBusy season
- House cleaningBusy season
- LandscapingBusy season
- Artificial turfBusy season
- Tree serviceBusy season
- Pool serviceBusy season
- Pressure washingBusy season
- LocksmithsBusy season
- Appliance repairBusy season
- Junk removalBusy season
- MoversBusy season
- Water damage restorationBusy season
- Kitchen and bath remodelingBusy season
- General contractorsBusy season
- PaintingBusy season
- FlooringPeak season
- Windows and doorsPeak season
- Decks and fencesBusy season
- Concrete and masonryBusy season
- Basement finishingPeak season
- Siding and guttersBusy season
- Custom home buildersBusy season
- SolarBusy season
- InjectorsBusy season
- Laser clinicsPeak season
- Body contouringBusy season
- IV therapyBusy season
- ChiropractorsBusy season
- Physical therapyBusy season
- Medical clinicsBusy season
- Massage therapyBusy season
- AcupunctureBusy season
- GymsBusy season
- Yoga and pilatesBusy season
- Salons and barbersBusy season
- Nail salonsBusy season
- Cafes and coffee shopsPeak season
- BakeriesBusy season
- Bars and breweriesBusy season
- CaterersPeak season
- Food trucksBusy season
- Auto repairBusy season
- Auto detailingBusy season
- Law firmsBusy season
- AccountantsBusy season
- Real estate agentsBusy season
- Insurance agenciesPeak season
- Veterinary clinicsBusy season
- Pet grooming and boardingBusy season
- Childcare and tutoringBusy season
- Event venuesBusy season
- PhotographersPeak season
- Retail storesBusy season
Running the business: where jobs leak
Playbooks for the phone, the follow-up, the front desk and the reviews, written for any trade.
PlaybookHow to Stop Losing Jobs to Missed CallsCount missed calls without Google's call history, return them inside 24 hours, set up text-back and after-hours cover, and handle the new LSA charges.
PlaybookHow Fast to Respond to a New LeadWhat the five-minute lead studies really measured, the misquotes to ignore, and the first reply, day-one cadence, week one and monthly secret shop to run.
PlaybookHow to Get More Google Reviews LegallyHow to get more Google reviews inside Google, Yelp and FTC rules: who to ask, when, the exact words, reply templates and HIPAA-safe replies for clinics.
PlaybookHow to Follow Up on an Estimate and Win ItA 14-day estimate follow-up cadence with the words for each touch, plus options, lost reasons, financing wording and the cancellation paperwork rules.
PlaybookHow to Book More Jobs From the Leads You HaveFix the booking path before buying more leads: the first phone screen, a short form, staffed hours on Google, arrival windows and ads set by open slots.
PlaybookHow to Reduce No-Shows and Late CancellationsTwo answerable reminders, a waitlist that refills open slots, a fair cancellation policy and arrival windows a crew can keep: what the research supports.
PlaybookHow to Keep Customers Coming BackRebook at checkout, sell maintenance plans, run a consent-checked win-back and ask for referrals, plus what the famous retention statistics really say.
PlaybookHow to Train a Receptionist to Book More CallsFront desk training for home service companies and clinics: two full sample calls, price questions, the booking ask, a scorecard and call recording rules.
PlaybookIs It Legal to Use AI to Answer Business Calls?When an AI receptionist must say it is automated, the states that need everyone's consent to record a call, texting consent and opt-outs, and HIPAA.
PlaybookA2P 10DLC Registration Rejected? Fixes by CodeRead the A2P 10DLC rejection code in GoHighLevel or Twilio, fix every issue it lists, and resubmit the same campaign instead of paying to start over.
PlaybookHow to Leave Your Marketing Agency: A ChecklistLeaving your marketing agency? Get admin access before you give notice, move ad billing before anything is unlinked, and send one written handover request.
PlaybookGet Your Google Business Profile BackGet your Google Business Profile back from an old agency or ex-employee: Google's handover rules, the request route, and a message to send today.
PlaybookGet Your Google Ads Account Back From an AgencyWho owns your Google Ads account, what Google says your agency owes you, and the order to move admin, billing and tracking. Check your access first.
PlaybookGet Your Website and Domain Back From a DesignerWeb designer won't hand over your site or domain? See who legally holds each, the ICANN rules a .com registrar must follow, and the email to send first.
PlaybookGoogle Business Profile Suspended: How to Fix ItGoogle Business Profile suspended? Read the notice, fix what Google cites, file one appeal with matching documents, and keep leads coming while you wait.
How to start: home services
How to startHow to Start an HVAC Business: Licenses and StepsHow to start an HVAC business: EPA 608 and NATE, state licenses in Texas, California, Florida and North Carolina, insurance, tools and first customers.
How to startHow to Start a Plumbing BusinessHow to start a plumbing business: apprentice to master hours by state, the company license, insurance, trench safety and how the first calls arrive.
How to startHow to Start an Electrical Contracting BusinessHow to start an electrical contracting business: master and contractor licenses in Texas, California, Florida and North Carolina, insurance and first jobs.
How to startHow to Start a Roofing CompanyHow to start a roofing company in the US: licensing in California, Texas and Florida, workers' comp, OSHA fall rules, cash flow and first customers.
How to startHow to Start a Garage Door CompanyHow to start a garage door company: state licenses, the federal opener rule, spring safety, IDEA credentials and Google's checks before your first ad.
How to startHow to Start a Pest Control Company: LicensesHow to start a pest control company: the business license and the applicator license, FIFRA and EPA certification, and the rules in TX, CA, FL and NC.
How to startHow to Start a House Cleaning BusinessHow to start a house cleaning business: the IRS household employee rule, sales tax in Texas and Florida, OSHA chemical rules, bonds and the first clients.
How to startHow to Start a Landscaping BusinessHow to start a landscaping or lawn care business: California C-27, Texas irrigation and pesticide licenses, Florida fertilizer rules, H-2B and insurance.
How to startHow to Start an Artificial Turf BusinessHow to start an artificial turf installation business: state licenses, Florida's 2026 turf rule, rebates that exclude turf, insurance and first customers.
How to startHow to Start a Tree Service BusinessHow to start a tree service: California C-49, Maryland and New Jersey licenses, OSHA and ANSI Z133 safety, ISA certification, power lines and insurance.
How to startHow to Start a Pool Service BusinessHow to start a pool service business: Florida's cleaning and repair license split, public pool certification, hauling chemicals and Texas sales tax.
How to startHow to Start a Pressure Washing BusinessHow to start a pressure washing business: wash water and storm drain law, EPA lead rules on older homes, roof cleaning, California's D-38 and Texas tax.
How to startHow to Start a Locksmith BusinessHow to start a locksmith business: the licensing states, Texas, California, New Jersey and Illinois rules, ID before an opening, ALOA and Google checks.
How to startHow to Start an Appliance Repair BusinessHow to start an appliance repair business: EPA 608 and refrigerant buying, California BHGS registration, gas appliance licenses and brand servicer rules.
How to startHow to Start a Junk Removal BusinessHow to start a junk removal business: city and state hauler licenses, fridge and e-waste rules, truck weight lines, franchise disclosure and first jobs.
How to startHow to Start a Moving CompanyHow to start a moving company: USDOT and household goods authority, 49 CFR 375, Texas TxDMV, California Max 4, Florida registration and first moves.
How to startHow to Start a Water Damage Restoration CompanyHow to start a water damage restoration company: IICRC certification, mold licenses in Texas, Florida and New York, insurance claim limits and first jobs.
How to start: remodeling and construction
How to startHow to Start a Kitchen and Bath Remodeling FirmHow to start a kitchen and bath remodeling company: California B-2 and salesperson rules, deposit caps, EPA lead rules, stone silica and first clients.
How to startHow to Start a General Contracting BusinessHow to start a general contracting business: licensing in California, Florida, Arizona, North Carolina and Texas, lien deadlines, bonds and OSHA duties.
How to startHow to Start a Painting BusinessHow to start a painting business: state licenses from California's C-33 to none in Texas, EPA lead-safe certification, VOC rules and your first customers.
How to startHow to Start a Flooring BusinessHow to start a flooring business: California C-15 or C-54, Arizona R-8, OSHA asbestos and silica rules, NWFA standards, big-box programs, first customers.
How to startHow to Start a Window and Door CompanyHow to start a window and door company: Florida licensing and product approval, Texas windstorm rules, California C-17, the EPA lead rule, cancel rights.
How to startHow to Start a Deck and Fence BusinessHow to start a deck and fence business: California C-13 and C-5, Pennsylvania registration, Minnesota footings, 811 notice, permits and pool barriers.
How to startHow to Start a Concrete BusinessHow to start a concrete or masonry business: California C-8 and C-29, Minnesota and Michigan rules, OSHA silica, ACI certification and pour weather.
How to startHow to Start a Basement Finishing BusinessHow to start a basement finishing business: Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Michigan licensing, egress and ceiling rules, radon testing, silica and customers.
How to startHow to Start a Siding and Gutter BusinessHow to start a siding and gutter business: California's D-41 and gutter classes, Minnesota and Michigan rules, EPA lead work, OSHA scaffolds, storm claims.
How to startHow to Start a Custom Home Building CompanyHow to start a custom home building company: licenses in California, Florida, North Carolina, Minnesota and Texas, construction loans, warranties and 45L.
How to startHow to Start a Solar Installation CompanyHow to start a solar installation company after 25D: Texas TDLR registration, California C-46 or C-10, the CPUC guide, Florida, Arizona, Minnesota, NABCEP.
How to start: med spas and aesthetics
How to startHow to Open a Med Spa: Ownership, Exams, LasersHow to open a med spa in the US: who may own one, who may do the good faith exam, FDA rules on toxins and lasers, and state rules in CA, TX, FL and NY.
How to startHow to Start an Aesthetic Injector PracticeHow to start a Botox and filler practice: who may inject in CA, TX, FL, NY and OK, buying from authorized sources, supervision rules and malpractice.
How to startHow to Open a Laser Hair Removal ClinicHow to open a laser hair removal clinic: who may fire the laser in TX, CA, FL, AZ, GA and NY, FDA device classes, ANSI Z136.3 and Texas TDLR licensing.
How to startHow to Start a Body Contouring StudioHow to start a body contouring studio: what each FDA clearance lets you claim, why "FDA approved" is misbranding, FTC weight-loss rules, franchises.
How to startHow to Open an IV Therapy Clinic: Orders, MixingHow to open an IV hydration clinic: who may order and start a drip in TX, AL, NC, MS and GA, sterile compounding, FDA and FTC rules, and the first clients.
How to start: wellness, clinics and personal care
How to startHow to Start a Chiropractic Practice: LicensingHow to start a chiropractic practice: NBCE boards and fees, licenses in California, Texas, Florida and New York, Medicare enrollment and credentialing.
How to startHow to Start a Physical Therapy PracticeHow to start an outpatient physical therapy practice: the NPTE, the PT Compact, Texas direct access, Medicare enrollment and plan of care rules, and Stark.
How to startHow to Open a Medical Clinic: Ownership, CLIAHow to open a primary care or urgent care clinic: who may own it in CA, TX and NY, Florida clinic licenses and price posting, CLIA, Medicare and payers.
How to startHow to Start a Massage Therapy PracticeHow to start a massage therapy practice: the MBLEx, Texas and Florida establishment licenses, New York's own exam, California's CAMTC and city permits.
How to startHow to Start an Acupuncture PracticeHow to start an acupuncture practice: California's CALE, NCBAHM exams, Clean Needle Technique, licenses in NY, TX and FL, needles, waste and Medicare.
How to startHow to Open a Gym or Fitness StudioHow to open a gym: the membership contract laws in Texas, Florida, New York and California, bonds, franchise disclosure, ADA equipment, music and trainers.
How to startHow to Open a Yoga or Pilates StudioHow to open a yoga or pilates studio: no state licenses teachers, but Florida, Texas, California and New York regulate the membership contract and bonds.
How to startHow to Open a Hair Salon or BarbershopHow to open a hair salon or barbershop: shop licenses in California, Texas and Florida, training hours, booth rental rules, formaldehyde and Google ads.
How to startHow to Open a Nail SalonHow to open a nail salon: training hours by state, pedicure cleaning logs, New York's MMA ban, ventilation, California's 2025 ingredient ban and more.
How to start: restaurants and food
How to startHow to Open a Restaurant: Permits, Liquor, StaffWhat opening a restaurant takes in the US: health permits, a certified food manager, liquor licenses in CA, NJ and TX, tipped wages and first reviews.
How to startHow to Open a Coffee Shop: Permits, Water, TaxHow to open a coffee shop in the US: the Food Code's low-risk category, backflow rules, Florida's three agencies, tax on coffee and drive-thru zoning.
How to startHow to Start a Bakery: Cottage Food, PermitsHow to start a bakery in the US: cottage food rules in Texas, Florida and California, storefront permits, FDA label exemptions and the teen mixer rule.
How to startHow to Open a Bar or Brewery: TTB, LicensesHow to open a bar, brewery or taproom: TTB registration and the Brewer's Notice, excise tax, licenses in Texas, California and Florida, and dram shop law.
How to startHow to Start a Catering Business: Permits, BarWhat starting a catering company takes in the US: a permitted kitchen, California county catering rules, caterer alcohol permits in TX and FL, OSHA logs.
How to startHow to Start a Food Truck: Permits, CommissaryWhat starting a food truck takes in the US: plan check, LA commissary rules, the new Texas state license, Florida preemption, NYC permit caps and zones.
How to start: other local businesses
How to startHow to Start an Auto Repair Shop: Licenses, EPAWhat opening an auto repair shop takes: BAR, FDACS and Michigan registration, ASE and EPA 609, used oil, OSHA brake rules and Texas tax on parts and labor.
How to startHow to Start an Auto Detailing BusinessHow to start an auto detailing business: California's car wash registration and $150,000 bond, the NYC license, wash water rules, IDA and garagekeepers.
How to startHow to Start a Law Firm: Trust AccountsHow to start a law firm: IOLTA trust accounts in Texas, Florida and California, CTAPP, malpractice rules, entity and firm names, fee sharing and ad rules.
How to startHow to Start an Accounting or Tax PracticeHow to start an accounting or tax practice: PTIN, EFIN, enrolled agents, AFSP, the FTC Safeguards Rule, California CTEC and new CPA routes in TX and CA.
How to startHow to Become a Real Estate Agent: LicensingHow to become a real estate agent: pre-licensing hours and fees in Texas, California and Florida, choosing a broker, buyer agreements and first clients.
How to startHow to Start an Insurance Agency, Step by StepStarting an independent or captive insurance agency, in order: licenses by line, carrier appointments, the agency license, E&O and the first clients.
How to startHow to Open a Veterinary Clinic: LicensingHow to open a veterinary clinic: premises rules in California, Florida and Texas, DEA registration per location, X-ray registration, OSHA and AVMA data.
How to startHow to Start a Pet Grooming or Boarding BusinessHow to start a pet grooming or boarding business: state licenses in Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, zoning, insurance and staffing.
How to startHow to Start a Daycare or Tutoring CenterHow to start a daycare, preschool or tutoring center: Florida, California and Texas licensing, ratios, background checks, subsidies, COPPA and insurance.
How to startHow to Open an Event or Wedding VenueHow to open an event or wedding venue: assembly occupancy, Florida farm buildings, NYC and Chicago licenses, alcohol rules, county caps and insurance.
How to startHow to Start a Photography BusinessHow to start a photography business in the US: registration, sales tax on prints and digital files, copyright, model releases, drones and first clients.
How to startHow to Open an Independent Retail StoreHow to open a retail store in the US: seller's permits in five states, local licenses, FTC pricing and label rules, gift cards, the lease, ADA and margins.
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