A lot of great businesses never open because their owners are waiting until everything is perfect. Here's what truly matters on day one, and what you can safely put off.
Updated September 2026
If you've been dreaming about starting a business, you've probably run into a long list of "musts." You need a logo. You need a website. You need business cards, an office, the right software, and a perfect plan. Before long, the list feels so big that starting seems impossible.
Here's the truth we share with entrepreneurs at the Achievers Entrepreneurial Hub: most of that list can wait. What you need to launch is much smaller than you think. The rest can grow alongside your business, paid for by your first customers instead of your savings.
What you need before you open
1. A clear offer and someone who wants it
Before anything else, you should be able to finish this sentence in plain words: "I help ___ by ___." Then find out whether real people will pay for it. Talk to potential customers, offer your product or service to friends of friends, or take a few small orders. One paying customer tells you more than a hundred compliments.
2. A price that covers your costs
Add up what it costs you to make your product or deliver your service, including materials, travel, fees, and your time. Your price needs to cover all of that and leave something left over. Many new owners underprice because they feel nervous. It's much easier to offer a discount later than to raise prices on customers who are used to paying less.
3. The right legal setup for Pennsylvania
You have two common starting points:
Sole proprietorship. If you're the only owner and you do business under your own name, you can start without filing anything with the state. If you want to use a business name that's different from your own, you'll register a fictitious name with the Pennsylvania Department of State for $70, and you'll also need to publish a notice in approved newspapers.
LLC. An LLC separates your business from you personally. Forming one in Pennsylvania costs $125 through the Department of State. After that, there's a $7 annual report due between January 1 and September 30 each year, starting the year after your LLC is formed.
Not sure which is right for you? That's a perfect question for a free consultant (more on that below).
4. An EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number is like a Social Security number for your business. You'll need one for most LLCs, to open a business bank account, and to hire anyone. It's free directly from the IRS. Be careful of websites that charge a fee to "help" you get one.
5. A separate bank account
Keep business money and personal money apart from day one. It makes taxes simpler, keeps your records clean, and is required by many lenders and grant programs. A basic business checking account is all you need to start.
6. State and local registrations
If you sell taxable products or services, you'll need a Pennsylvania sales tax license, which is free through the Department of Revenue's myPATH system. It's also smart to contact the City of Erie, or your township if you're outside the city, before you open. They can tell you about zoning, local licenses or permits, and any local taxes that apply to your type of business. This is especially important if you're working from home or serving food.
7. A simple way to track money
You don't need expensive accounting software yet. A spreadsheet or a free app that records what comes in and what goes out is enough. Save your receipts, write down what each purchase was for, and set aside part of every payment for taxes.
8. A way for people to find you
People can't buy from you if they can't find you. A free Google Business Profile and a simple Facebook page are enough to get started. Make sure both clearly say what you offer, where you are, and how to reach you.
Quick check: If you can explain what you sell, charge a fair price, accept payment legally, keep your money separate, and be found by customers, you're ready to open.
What can wait
A custom website
A website is valuable, but it doesn't need to be your first expense. Your Google Business Profile and social media page can carry you until you have steady customers and a clearer picture of what your website needs to do.
A perfect logo and branding
A clean, simple name in a readable font works fine at first. Your brand will become clearer once you know who your customers are and what they love about you. Invest in professional branding when you're ready to grow, not before you've made your first sale.
A storefront or office
A lease is one of the biggest commitments a new business can make. Many successful businesses start from a kitchen table, a shared space, a farmers market booth, or a customer's location. Prove the demand first, then find the space.
Large amounts of inventory or supplies
Buying in bulk looks cheaper, but it ties up your cash in products that may not sell. Start with small batches, learn what your customers actually buy, and reorder from there.
Paid advertising
Before you spend money on ads, lean on word of mouth, referrals, and free social media posts. Once you know who your best customers are and what brings them in, you'll get far more from every advertising dollar.
Fancy tools and subscriptions
Monthly software fees add up quickly. Use free versions of tools until your business clearly outgrows them.
Hiring
Most owners start by doing everything themselves. When you find yourself turning away work or spending hours on tasks someone else could handle, that's your sign to bring in help, starting with a freelancer or part-time support before a full-time employee.
Start small, but start
The businesses that succeed aren't always the ones with the best logo or the fanciest website. They're the ones that open their doors, serve their first customers well, and keep learning. Every step you take after launch will be smarter because it's based on real experience instead of guesses.
You also don't have to do this alone. The Gannon University Small Business Development Center offers free, confidential consulting for people starting a business in Erie, including help choosing a business structure and understanding Pennsylvania filing requirements.
Ready to take the first step?
The Achievers Entrepreneurial Hub at the Community Cornerstone Project is here for Erie's small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Whether you're still shaping your idea or getting ready to open, reach out. We'd love to help you sort out what you need now and what can wait.
Fees and filing requirements can change. Information here was current as of September 2026; confirm details with the Pennsylvania Department of State, the Department of Revenue, or your local municipality before filing. This post is for general information and isn't legal, tax, or financial advice.