Custom Travel Planner Business Launch Speedrun

1. Define Your Niche: Specialize in areas like luxury honeymoons, adventure treks, or eco-friendly tours. Whatever you choose, you need to standout from being a generalist and understand your customer.

   
   

2. Develop a Business Plan: Outline goals, target audience, marketing strategies, and financial projections. ​ Don't get bogged down too much here, but it's important to have this roadmap to return to.
   

3. Choose a Business Name:

   • Check Availability: Verify name availability with your state's Secretary of State division of corporations site, and at the federal level.

     • Domain: Ensure the domain name is available.
       

4. Register Your Business:

   • Legal Structure: Decide between sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation. ​

   • State Registration (State): Register with the appropriate state agency. ​

   • Obtain an EIN (Federal): Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) with the IRS.​

   • Obtain Local Business License: You might have county or local business registration to do. Ours calls it a "business tax receipt."
     

5. Set Up Financial Systems:

   • Bank Account: Take that info and open a business bank account with your bank to separate personal and business finances or use an online bank like Novo.

   • Accounting Software: Implement tools like QuickBooks, Wave, FreshBooks or decide you're going to track this stuff on a simple spreadsheet.

   • Credit Card: Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred business miles card. Use the free 10x travel points program to constantly collect points on travel.
     

6. Secure Necessary Licenses:

   • Seller of Travel Registration: Required in states like California, Florida, Hawaii, and Washington. ​If you're in one of these you also might need to get a Surety bond. The registration for us was with the state department of agriculture.

   • Acquire Business Insurance: Consider Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance to protect against claims of negligence.​ You can do this later. Our current provider is Berkshire Hathaway.
     

7. Establish an Online Presence:

   • Website: Create a professional site using platforms like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress.​

   • Domain & Email: Register a domain and set up a business email.​ You can start with a gmail account that sounds professional.

   • Create a Logo: Design a logo using AI tools or hire a freelance designer on platforms like Fiverr.​ You can use Fiverr for all these if you'd rather not do it yourself. We used Wix for all of these.
     

8. Set Up Social Media Accounts: Link

   • Facebook: Targets adults aged 30 and above.​

   • Instagram: Popular among users aged 18-29.​

   • TikTok: Favored by younger audiences, especially Gen Z.​

   • X (Formerly Twitter): Favored by Nazis.

   • LinkedIn: Ideal for professional networking.​
     

9. Utilize TravelJoy: Use TravelJoy for client management and supplier payments; watch all tutorials in the help section to maximize its features.​ Follow them on their social media for new features.

   
   

10. Register for Portals: Start with Jess Faves

    
    

11. Join the Jess Fam Facebook private group
    

12. Fill out your Jess Profile Form to be included on our IC page.

    
    

13. Establish how you're going to bill your clients: For your service fees use a business Paypal, Stripe, Venmo, Quickbooks, Freshbooks or Square account. Anything but Traveljoy for now.
    

14. Develop Client Contracts: Create clear contracts outlining services, fees, and terms; consider legal advice or AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT for when you're first starting out.
    

15. Plan a Launch Announcement: Introduce your business to the public to generate interest and attract initial clients.​
    

16. Profit