{"id":42383,"date":"2025-06-05T05:04:41","date_gmt":"2025-06-05T05:04:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swoopfunding.com\/us\/?post_type=start-a-business&#038;p=42383"},"modified":"2025-09-18T18:21:52","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T18:21:52","slug":"start-a-business-checklist","status":"publish","type":"start-a-business","link":"https:\/\/swoopfunding.com\/us\/start-a-business\/start-a-business-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"Start a business checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"42383\" class=\"elementor elementor-42383\" data-elementor-post-type=\"start-a-business\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9360c4f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9360c4f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c64dd29\" data-id=\"c64dd29\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7ee232 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c7ee232\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting a business is one of the boldest decisions a person can make. It\u2019s thrilling, yes \u2014 but also layered with complexity. From figuring out whether your idea has legs to navigating taxes, legal paperwork, and funding, the process can feel like juggling ten tasks with one hand tied behind your back. And that\u2019s before you even open your doors.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But here\u2019s the good news: when you\u2019ve got a clear checklist to follow, that overwhelming feeling becomes a lot more manageable. At Swoop Funding, we work closely with small business owners every day, helping them gain the confidence to get started. So if you\u2019re looking to start your journey with clarity and confidence, this guide could be your foundation.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s walk through some important steps so you know exactly what needs to happen and when.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-862bb70 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"862bb70\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"https:\/\/us.swoopfunding.ca\/stage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Get a quote<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4a61e6d elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4a61e6d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-817c5ed\" data-id=\"817c5ed\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13bd71b elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"13bd71b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9380480 question elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9380480\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">10 steps to starting a business<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa1e50f answer elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fa1e50f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s no one-size-fits-all approach to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/swoopfunding.com\/us\/start-a-business\/how-to-start-a-small-business\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">launching a business<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but most successful ventures follow a version of this core path.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-34be20b question elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"34be20b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. Conduct market research\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c8ba720 answer elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c8ba720\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you spend a single dollar, spend time learning the landscape.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who are your potential customers? What are their habits, needs, and pain points? Equally important \u2014 who else is serving them, and how? By exploring your target market and your competition, you\u2019ll start to uncover your unique angle \u2014 the thing that makes you different and valuable.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think of it as testing your idea against reality before fully committing. Tools like Google Trends, social media groups, and customer surveys are excellent places to start.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-953b579 question elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"953b579\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Write your business plan<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a0e9995 answer elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a0e9995\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A good <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/swoopfunding.com\/us\/business-glossary\/business-plan\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">business plan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is more than a formality. It\u2019s your playbook.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This document should clarify your mission, explain how your product or service solves a problem, outline your revenue model, and project your financial path. It also helps investors and lenders take you seriously.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if you&#8217;re not seeking outside funding, having this blueprint will keep you focused and make decision-making much easier down the road.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9bbe8af question elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9bbe8af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. Fund your business\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-833f2ad answer elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"833f2ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unless you\u2019re self-funding entirely, you\u2019ll need capital to get moving, and that means choosing a financing route.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This might include <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/swoopfunding.com\/us\/blog\/swoops-guide-to-small-business-loans\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">small business loans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, grants, crowdfunding, or support from friends and family. The right choice depends on your business model, growth plan, and risk tolerance.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Need help evaluating your options? Swoop connects founders with funding solutions tailored to their goals \u2014 from startup capital to working capital.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e73bb7 question elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9e73bb7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4. Pick your business location\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0172600 answer elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0172600\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you\u2019re opening a storefront, operating online, or doing both, your location impacts taxes, zoning rules, and legal requirements.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re choosing a physical location, consider foot traffic, rent, proximity to suppliers, and accessibility. For online businesses, your \u201clocation\u201d is often your home state, which still affects things like sales tax and LLC registration.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7aba34a question elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7aba34a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">5. Choose a business structure\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1fadfeb answer elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1fadfeb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your legal structure affects how you&#8217;re taxed, how much personal liability you carry, and how you\u2019re allowed to raise money.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some common structures include:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Sole proprietorship<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Simple and flexible, but no personal liability protection.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>LLC (Limited Liability Company)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 A popular choice for small businesses, offering liability protection with minimal complexity.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><b>Corporation (C-Corp or S-Corp)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 More formal, with potential tax advantages and better access to capital.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re unsure what fits, consulting with a small business attorney or CPA can help you avoid headaches later.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c28db3 question elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7c28db3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">6. Choose your business name\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af22c0c answer elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"af22c0c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This step is more than creative branding; it\u2019s legal, too.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you\u2019ve got a name you love, check for availability. Is the domain name open? Are the social handles taken? Is someone already using the name in your state or industry? Tools from your Secretary of State\u2019s office or the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office can help.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s worth spending time here. Your name is the first thing people will remember or forget.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a60988 question elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1a60988\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">7. Register your business<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-08d0aca answer elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"08d0aca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now it\u2019s time to make things official.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This typically involves registering your business entity with your state, applying for a DBA (\u201cDoing Business As\u201d) if needed, and filing necessary paperwork locally. You may also need to register your name federally if you&#8217;re protecting a trademark.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The specifics vary depending on your state and business structure, but once this step is complete, you\u2019re officially in business.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f916002 question elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f916002\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">8. Get federal and state tax IDs<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de8a138 answer elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"de8a138\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS acts like a Social Security number for your business. You\u2019ll need it to hire employees, open a business bank account, and file taxes.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some states also require separate tax ID numbers, particularly if you sell goods or services subject to sales tax. Fortunately, both federal and state IDs are relatively quick to obtain online.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-938d3c3 question elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"938d3c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">9. Apply for licenses and permits<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17e5d12 answer elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"17e5d12\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on what you do and where you do it, you may need one or more permits before operating.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These could include:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Business operation licenses<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Health and safety permits<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sales tax permits<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home occupation permits<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zoning clearance<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not sure what applies to you? Your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC) or city clerk\u2019s office can help clarify.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-365bd92 question elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"365bd92\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">10. Open a business bank account<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6bc31c answer elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b6bc31c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting a business is a leap, but it doesn\u2019t have to be a blind one. With Swoop, you can explore a range of business funding options in one place, from startup loans to working capital.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not only that, our platform helps entrepreneurs streamline financial planning, compare solutions, and take next steps with confidence.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re in the early stages and unsure where to begin \u2014 or you&#8217;re ready to launch but need help securing funds \u2014 we&#8217;re here to make the process smoother.<\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/swoopfunding.com\/us\/business-loans\/apply-now\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check available business loans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and discover what\u2019s possible when you have the right support behind you.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e20447 question elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4e20447\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Swoop can help\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2eae195 answer elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2eae195\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting a non-CDL box truck business can be a great opportunity, but getting it off the ground might take more than hustle. At Swoop, we help entrepreneurs like you access capital, compare business loan options, and get personalized insights based on your unique needs.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you&#8217;re trying to buy your first truck, fund equipment, or simply build working capital to get through your early months, our platform helps you move forward with clarity.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ready to hit the road? <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/swoopfunding.com\/us\/business-loans\/apply-now\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check available business loans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with Swoop to explore your options and take the next step in launching your box truck business.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b762d2d elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"b762d2d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/us.swoopfunding.ca\/stage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Apply now<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"author":99,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","start-a-business-sectors":[346],"class_list":["post-42383","start-a-business","type-start-a-business","status-publish","hentry","start-a-business-sectors-starting-a-business"],"acf":[],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":"","thumbnail":"","medium":"","medium_large":"","large":"","1536x1536":"","2048x2048":"","image_blog":"","image_blog_full":"","image_podcast":"","image_banking":"","image_blog_internal":"","image_blog_medium":"","image_single_banking":""},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"<p>Starting a business is one of the boldest decisions a person can make. It\u2019s thrilling, yes \u2014 but also layered with complexity. From figuring out whether your idea has legs to navigating taxes, legal paperwork, and funding, the process can feel like juggling ten tasks with one hand tied behind your back. And that\u2019s before you even open your doors.But here\u2019s the good news: when you\u2019ve got a clear checklist to follow, that overwhelming feeling becomes a lot more manageable. At Swoop Funding, we work closely with small business owners every day, helping them gain the confidence to get started.&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"","author_info_v2":{"name":"Ashlyn Brooks","url":"https:\/\/swoopfunding.com\/us\/author\/ashlyn-brooks\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swoopfunding.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/start-a-business\/42383","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swoopfunding.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/start-a-business"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swoopfunding.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/start-a-business"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swoopfunding.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/99"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/swoopfunding.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/start-a-business\/42383\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42395,"href":"https:\/\/swoopfunding.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/start-a-business\/42383\/revisions\/42395"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swoopfunding.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42383"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"start-a-business-sectors","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swoopfunding.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/start-a-business-sectors?post=42383"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}