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Small Business Start Up Toolkit

Congratulations on your steps toward owning a business and welcome to the Muskego area! The Muskego Chamber of Commerce services Muskego, Big Bend, Town of Norway, and Wind Lake. Whether you are starting a new business or relocating an existing one, we hope these resources will be helpful and look forward to meeting you soon. Feel free to contact or visit the Chamber office where you can receive business and community information.

Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce
S73 W164858 Janesville Road, Muskego WI 53150
414-422-1155 | chamberinfo@muskego.org

 

Establish & Grow A Small Business

This Toolkit includes a step-by-step checklist for entrepreneurs and business owners exploring how to start and grow a business in our area. It also offers links to valuable resources for all business owners and managers. We suggest you:

Thank you for allowing the Muskego Chamber's Small Business Council to help your business with this Toolkit!

Disclaimer: The Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce offers this checklist and resource page to guide entrepreneurs and business owners through the key steps of starting and growing a business. We encourage you to consult with appropriate legal, financial, and industry-specific professionals to make informed decisions. This resource is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal or financial advice.

__ Clarify Your Motivation.

Ask yourself, "Why do I want to start a business?" Is it to fill a gap in your community, pursue a passion, or achieve financial independence?

__ Define Your Unique Value.

What makes your business different? How will it serve your community or solve a problem?

  • Test the idea by gathering opinions from consumers in your target market (your ideal audience and the ones you will sell on your product or service).
  • Discuss the idea with friends, family, neighbors, and acquaintances.

__ Consider Community Impact.

List the ways your business can contribute to local well-being by creating jobs, supporting local causes, or offering needed services.

__ Create Brand Identity.

Your "why" should inform your mission statement and brand story while connecting you with customers and partners on a deeper level.

  • Consider and select a business name. Search the trademark site to ensure yours is original and not in conflict with another business.
  • Create first drafts of your business mission statement, values, and branding items (colors, fonts, logo). Update these as you have more clarity during the establishing process.

The Business Plan

__ Plan Your Purpose

A business plan is your roadmap and is often required when applying for financial resources. Visit the Small Business Administration and learn how to write a great plan.

__ Organize Its Key Sections

Consider these suggested topics as you write a business plan.

  • Company Description
  • Executive Summary
  • Funding Requests
  • Financial Projections
  • Market Analysis
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Organization & Management
  • Products & Services
  • Appendix to Any of the Above

__ Review and Update

Treat this plan as a living document. Review and revise regularly as your business evolves.

Legal Needs

__ Select Your Business Structure

Choose the correct legal structure based on liability, tax, and management needs. Consult a legal expert for guidance.

__ Register Your Business

Use the following links to:

__ Understand Compliance Requirements

Research and understand zoning laws, health and safety regulations, and industry-specific requirements.

__ Prepare Contracts and Policies

Draft contracts for clients, vendors, and employees. Establish internal policies for operations, privacy, and data protection.

Financial Needs

__ Create Financial Accounts

Open business banking accounts. Avoid mixing personal and business funds.

__ Prepare a Budget

Create a detailed budget that covers startup costs, ongoing expenses, and revenue projections.

__ Research Funding Sources

Explore funding options such as personal savings, community grants, small business loans, or investors.

__ Select Systems for Accounting, Sales, and Merchant Services

  • Chose systems to record and maintain business revenue and expenses, accounts payable, customer base, and credit card services.
  • Select a CPA or financial advisor for direction with cash flow management, financial projections, tax planning, and optimizing your business structure for tax efficiency and long-term growth.

Protection

__ Insurance

Assess risks and purchase appropriate coverage such as general liability property, workers' comp, key person, Directors' & Omissions, and cyber insurance.

__ Protect Intellectual Property

Protect your brand, inventions, and creative works with trademarks, copyrights, or patents as needed.

__ Create Contingency Plans

Build financial reserves. Have a plan for emergencies or unexpected expenses.

__ Prepare Succession Plans

Consider the consequences if you are unavailable for a time or need to sell the business. Small businesses need a succession plan to avoid future challenges.

Direct Ways

__ Invest in Professional Branding and Signage

  • Create and leverage a logo, business cards, and consistent visual identity across all marketing materials.
  • Contact your municipality for details on signage. Install business signage per ordinances.

__ Build an Online Presence

  • Purchase a domain. Build a professional website that allows customers to see your mission statement, logo, business branding, and products/services. Your website is your Digital Front Door. Make it welcoming, easy to navigate, and provide a way to collect customer information.
  • Claim your Google Business Profile and Apple Business Connect.
  • Set up social media accounts.
  • Consider building a business app.

__ Promote Your Business through Events

Offer grand opening discounts. Host workshops. Participate in local markets to attract attention.

__ Share Your Story

Pitch your business to local media. Write guest articles for community newsletters. Use storytelling to connect with your audience.

Indirect Ways

__ Engage with Community

  • Attend, sponsor, or volunteer at local fairs, festivals, and charity events to meet potential customers.
  • Hire and build a strong team who focuses on customer relationships.

__ Join Your Local Chamber of Commerce

Leverage the Chamber's credibility, directories, events, networking, promotions, and resources to put your business in front of the community.

__ Partner with Other Businesses

Cross-promote with complementary businesses to expand your reach.

__ Support Local Initiatives

Sponsor youth sports. Donate to local causes. Participate in community projects to build goodwill and brand awareness.

__ Participate in Business Education

Employers and Employees should attend workshops, webinars, and training sessions on business topics.

__ Find Mentors

Seek experienced business owners who are willing mentors. Join a formal mentorship program through the local Chamber of Commerce or SCORE chapter.

__ Peer Learning

Join business roundtables, industry associations, or networking groups to share experiences and learn from other business people.

__ Stay Informed

Know when important business topics are the buzz. Subscribe to news groups to learn when local regulations, industry trends, or customer expectations are affecting the business climate.

Congratulations on starting a business!

Now explore ways to grow your business.

__ Connect with a Business Advisor

Find an experienced advisor or join a business network such as your local Chamber of Commerce. Advisors provide guidance, introduce resources, and help you avoid common pitfalls.

__ Establish Ongoing Financial and Strategic Management

  • Connect with a financial advisor to optimize investments, manage risks, and plan for growth.
  • Regularly review your budget, cash flow, and financials projections.
  • Prepare for tax season and ensure compliance with all regulations.
  • Consider succession planning and exit strategies. Do this early in your business venture as most small businesses lack a documented plan.

__ Grow through Community Engagement

  • Continue building your brand through community involvement and partnerships.
  • Attend local workshops and stay informed on industry trends.
  • Use customer feedback for product and service improvement strategies.

__ Apply the Top 10 Local Action Steps

  • Scroll down this webpage for these local action steps. Use these consistently to guide and drive growth in your business activities.

__ Share this Small Business Toolkit

We learn from each other! Please share this website or download a printable version of this Toolkit and share it with another business person.

Are you an entrepreneur who recently started a new business? Consider these ten action steps to help your business grow.

__ Connect with a Business Advisor

Find an experienced advisor or join a business network such as your local Chamber of Commerce. Advisors provide guidance, introduce resources, and help you avoid common pitfalls.

__ Establish Ongoing Financial and Strategic Management

  • Connect with a financial advisor to optimize investments, manage risks, and plan for growth.
  • Regularly review your budget, cash flow, and financials projections.
  • Prepare for tax season and ensure compliance with all regulations.
  • Consider succession planning and exit strategies. Do this early in your business venture as most small businesses lack a documented plan.

__ Grow through Community Engagement

  • Continue building your brand through community involvement and partnerships.
  • Attend local workshops and stay informed on industry trends.
  • Use customer feedback for product and service improvement strategies.

__ Apply the Top 10 Local Action Steps

  • Scroll down this webpage for these local action steps. Use these consistently to guide and drive growth in your business activities.

__ Share this Small Business Toolkit

We learn from each other! Please share this website or download a printable version of this Toolkit and share it with another business person.

Business & Economic Development

Local Contacts for Commercial Property Purchase or Lease

County and State Resources

National Resources

Muskego Demographic Quickfacts (More information at City of Muskego)

  • Located in Waukesha County (53150)

  • Population: 25,624

  • Median Household Income of $137,539 (2023 American Community Survey 5-year Estimate) 

  • 96.3% of Muskego residents are High School Graduates or higher

  • Muskego-Norway School District has been received the Top Work Places Award annually from 2017 to present.

  • Median Age: 43.5

  • 1,900+ Companies

  • 9,500+ Housing Units

Muskego Resources

Big Bend Demographic Quickfacts

(More Information at Village of Big Bend)

Additional Resources:

Muskego Community Guide

Muskego Community Profile

Download the Muskego Mobile App

Town of Norway & Wind Lake Demographic Quickfacts

(More Information at Town of Norway)

Additional Resources:

Muskego Community Guide

Muskego Community Profile

Download the Muskego Mobile App

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