10-12 Months Before Opening
• Create a thorough business plan
• Develop your business philosophy
• Determine all major expenditures and establish a budget
• Hire an attorney, CPA, and a broker
• Evaluate locations
7-9 Months Before Opening
• Determine your exact space and layout needs and narrow your list down to 2 or 3 potential locations
• Get estimates for remodeling needs and receive bids on leasehold improvements from experienced contractors
• Create a list of necessary equipment and other major expenditure
• Review business management software systems
• Evaluate potential loans and get a preliminary loan package
6-7 Months Before Opening
• Finalize your loan
• Choose your site location and sign the lease (after you review your lease with an attorney)
• Create a floor plan and layout and have a contractor begin modeling
5-6 Months Before Opening
• Put the finishing touches on the site’s interior
• Establish your hours of operation
• Have an attorney develop your office policy/ procedures manual
• Review and test different business management software
• Make a list of personnel needs
4-5 Months Before Opening
• Review the state’s business board requirements
• Have a web designer develop your business’s website
• Begin building your marketing strategy and working on your business’s SEO (social media marketing, booklet printing, email marketing, etc)
• Review telephone and answering systems and get a telephone number. You might also want to consider comparing a few different IP phone systems to work out if VoIP technology could enhance your business
• Make a list of vendor/ provider numbers
3 Months Before Opening
• Apply for a business permit, tax numbers, licenses, and staff privileges at hospital facilities
• Join local networking groups
• Order office furniture and equipment
• Order and set up a computer system and the business management software
• You could also buy some office supplies (stationary, pens, notepads, business cards)
• Contact an insurance representative and determine the insurance needed
2 Months Before Opening
• Advertise for staff position availability
• Establish a fee schedule and payment policies
• Apply for membership in insurance provider plans
• Arrange janitorial, maintenance, and uniform/ linen services
• Set up a system for accepting credit card payments
1 Month Before Opening
• Test computer equipment and ensure that they work properly
• Hire employees and begin training
• Set the Grand Opening date
• Place office opening announcements on your website and in local publications
• Send office opening announcements in direct mail
• Have the office inspected by the necessary city and county official
• Open your business
Author(s)
Stuart J. Oberman, Esq.
Stuart J. Oberman is the founder and President of Oberman Law Firm. Mr. Oberman graduated from Urbana University and received his law degree from John Marshall Law School. Mr. Oberman has been practicing law for over 30 years, and before going into private practice, Mr. Oberman was in-house counsel for a Fortune 500 Company.
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