Sun, sand, beautiful beaches, and booming business, there are so many advantages to starting your business in South Florida. Whether you’ve chosen to settle down in Miami, up north in Palm Beach, or somewhere in between like Weston, the same rules apply for getting your new business off the ground. Here’s an outline of what you’ll need to do to get started, and some sound advice on how to do it.

First and foremost, develop a thorough plan for your business. Careful, in-depth planning of your business venture is key. Build a stable foundation by determining everything from your financials, objectives, strategies, and target markets, down to your pitch.

Once you’ve decided exactly what your business will be all about, determine what kind of business it needs to be and your office location. Choosing the right business structure or entity is a very important initial step. Register under your chosen entity after examining all your options. Shared office space operators, like Lakeside Executive Suites in Weston, offers affordable and flexible workspace options for startups and small businesses. Getting these steps out of the way in the beginning stages acts as a great motivator as well.

Next, know the ins and outs of all your tax obligations. The state of Florida is an accommodating one, providing a range of incentives and tax credits. Then you’ll need to fill out and file all forms required by Florida that allow you to operate legally and be protected by law.

Open a separate bank account for your business. Compare local banks, and choose the one best suited for you and your new company. Once this is completed, you can begin to finance your startup. Whether it’s through crowdsourcing, social lending, venture capitalists, or lenders- getting a business up and running is a major investment.  A good shared office space operator will be able to provide some of these opportunities through mixers and seminars that bring business leaders within the community together.

Finally, get the word out! Market your business by making the most effective connections. Give your business an online presence with an attractive website that’s easy to navigate. Study your customers and get a feel for the best ways to get your message across to them. Connect with your target market, and your audience will continue to grow.

Above all, keep focused on your goals. Follow these simple steps and you’ll be well on the rocky, but exhilarating, road to success!