How to Set Up a Simple Business (and What Actually Happens After Your First Sale)

It’s been incredible working with other physicians this week and watching something powerful unfold in real time. I’ve seen ideas turn into action, hesitation turn into confidence, and more than a few “I never thought I’d do this” moments happen right in front of me.

Some of these doctors are launching brand-new products. Others are opening a Stripe account for the first time. A few are setting up an LLC and business bank account and realizing, maybe for the first time, that this thing they’ve been thinking about is actually becoming real.

And almost every conversation starts the same way.

Starting a business feels overwhelming, especially if you’ve never done it before. Between legal requirements, banking, websites, and payment systems, it’s easy to feel stuck before you even begin. The noise can make it feel like you need everything figured out before you take the first step.

The truth is, you don’t need a complicated business structure or a perfect website to start. What you need is a clear sequence and simple tools that allow you to move forward without overthinking every decision. When you know what to do first, then second, then third, the whole process becomes surprisingly manageable.

This is the exact step-by-step process I’ve been guiding doctors through so they can get legal, get paid, and get moving without burning out before they even launch.

Starting With a Clear Business Idea

Before touching an LLC application or buying a domain, the very first thing I ask people to do is pause and ground themselves in the idea. Not to perfect it, but to simplify it.

At this stage, you’re not building a brand. You’re simply getting clear on who you want to help, what problem you’re solving, and what type of offer you’re starting with. That might be a service, coaching, education, or a product.

You don’t need a niche statement, brand colors, or a long-term roadmap. Those things come later. Clarity doesn’t come from thinking harder; it comes from taking action. The goal here is momentum, not mastery.

Setting Up an LLC Without Overcomplicating It

For most first-time business owners, especially physicians, forming an LLC is the easiest and most practical next step. It separates personal and business liability, gives the business immediate legitimacy, and keeps the tax structure simple.

I usually recommend using a service like LegalZoom or your state’s business filing website. You choose your state, select a basic package, file the paperwork, and wait for approval. That’s it.

There’s no need for advanced legal structures or custom documents at this stage. A simple LLC is more than enough to legally start earning income.

Checking Domain Availability Before Locking in a Name

This is one of the most important steps, and it’s often skipped. Before you fully commit to a business name, it’s worth checking whether the website domain is available.

I encourage people to go to GoDaddy and search for the name as a dot-com. If the exact match isn’t available, small variations usually work just fine. Adding words like studio, collective, or consulting can often solve the problem without changing the heart of the name.

Your business name doesn’t have to perfectly match your domain, but it should be close enough that people can remember it without effort.

Buying Your Domain

Once you find a domain that works, buy it. This is one of those steps that feels small but carries a lot of weight. Your domain is your digital home, and securing it early protects your brand and prevents future frustration.

I recommend purchasing it for at least a year and turning on auto-renew so you never have to worry about losing it.

Opening a Business Bank Account

Separating personal and business finances is one of the most important mindset shifts in entrepreneurship. It makes everything clearer, cleaner, and easier.

To open a business bank account, you’ll typically need your LLC approval documents, your EIN, and a government-issued ID. Many banks allow you to do this entirely online.

Choosing a bank with low fees, easy online access, and compatibility with payment processors will save you time and stress down the line. This step alone simplifies taxes, bookkeeping, and decision-making more than most people realize.

Getting a Business Credit Card

A business credit card helps keep expenses organized and builds business credit over time. It also makes tracking deductions much simpler.

Starting with a no-annual-fee card through your existing bank is more than enough. The most important rule is to only use it for business expenses and to pay it off monthly.

Choosing a Payment System

This is often the moment the business starts to feel real. You’re setting up the system that allows people to pay you.

For most online businesses, Stripe is the easiest and most flexible option. Square works well for in-person payments, and PayPal is familiar to many users. Once you choose your payment processor, you’ll create an account, link it to your business bank account, and verify your identity.

You don’t need every feature turned on. You just need one clean, reliable way to get paid.

Choosing a Website Platform

Your website doesn’t need to be impressive. It needs to exist and communicate clearly.

I remind people often that your first website is not your forever website. It’s simply the place where people learn who you help, what you offer, and how to get started.

Platforms like Squarespace are great for simplicity and clean design. Kajabi works well if you want everything in one place, including payments and programs. WordPress offers flexibility but requires a bit more technical comfort.

None of these choices are permanent, and none of them will make or break your success.

Choosing an Email Platform

Email is one of the most valuable long-term assets in any business. Whether you start with professional email through Google Workspace or use built-in email tools from your website platform, the goal is simple communication.

If your platform includes email, use it. You can always upgrade or switch later as your business grows.

Connecting Your Domain to Your Website

This step sounds technical, but it’s usually straightforward. You’ll copy DNS settings from your website platform and paste them into your domain registrar. After a short waiting period, your domain connects to your site.

Most platforms provide clear tutorials, and this is a one-time setup. Take it slow and don’t rush it.

Connecting Your Payment System

Once your website and payment processor are ready, you’ll connect them to each other and to your bank account. Before launching, I always recommend testing the system with a small transaction just to make sure everything flows correctly.

That small test builds confidence and prevents surprises later.

Building Your First Home Page

You only need one page to start. That page should clearly communicate who the offer is for, what you provide, and how someone gets started.

Perfection is not required. Clarity is.

A simple, honest page is more than enough to launch.

You Got Your First Sale, Now What?

This is the moment everything gets very quiet.

The payment comes through, the notification hits your inbox, and almost immediately the question appears: what do I do now?

This is where many new business owners freeze, not because they aren’t capable, but because no one ever explains what happens behind the scenes after someone pays.

When a payment goes through, your payment processor records the transaction and schedules the funds to be deposited into your business bank account, usually within a few business days. You’ll receive a confirmation email letting you know the payment was successful.

Before doing anything else, it’s helpful to pause and remember what was sold. Was it a service, a program, a digital product, or a membership? Most online offers involve digital access, which means delivery is automated or semi-automated.

If you’re using an all-in-one platform, access is often granted automatically. The system creates a user account, sends a welcome email, and provides login instructions without you needing to touch anything. If you’re early in your business, it’s also perfectly fine to deliver access manually by sending a welcome email with clear instructions and next steps.

Some programs use access codes or enrollment links instead of automatic logins. In those cases, you generate the code or link and send it directly to the buyer so they can activate their access.

No matter how access is delivered, the most important piece is communication. Every buyer should receive a clear welcome message that reassures them they’re in the right place, explains exactly how to access what they purchased, and outlines what happens next.

Setting expectations early makes everything smoother. When people know when to start, how support works, and what to expect from the experience, trust increases and stress decreases on both sides.

Before your next sale, it’s worth going through the entire experience yourself. Purchase your own offer, read the emails, click the links, and view the program as a customer would. This simple step catches small issues before they become bigger ones.

Over time, documenting this process becomes incredibly helpful. Even a simple checklist creates a repeatable system you can rely on as your business grows.

And finally, resist the urge to overcomplicate things. You don’t need advanced automations or custom software to succeed. You need clear delivery, simple communication, and a process you can repeat with confidence.

Your first sale isn’t about perfection. It’s proof. If someone paid you and received what they expected, you’re already doing it right. From here, the work is about repeating what works, refining as needed, and building confidence through consistency.