Foundation → Scale

File Articles of Organization with the state. Obtain EIN from the IRS (same-day online). Draft an Operating Agreement outlining ownership, management, and profit distribution across all 3 brands.

Conduct USPTO clearance searches first. File intent-to-use applications for brand names and logos. Budget ~$350–450 per class per brand. Consider TEAS Plus for lower fees.

Open a business checking account (Mercury, Relay, or traditional bank). Apply for a business credit card to separate expenses and build credit. Set up accounting software (QuickBooks, Wave, or Xero) from day one.

Research state/local business licenses, sales tax permits, and industry permits. Register for state tax IDs. Set up sales tax collection in your e-commerce platform. Create a compliance checklist per brand.

Secure domains for all 3 brands (consider .com + alternatives). Set up professional email (Google Workspace or custom). Claim handles on IG, TikTok, X, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn. Use Namechk or similar to check availability.

Finalize logos, colors, typography, and brand guidelines for each business. Create asset kits: logos (SVG, PNG), social templates, and product photography style guide. Batch this work to save time.

Identify 10–20 UGC creators per brand (1K–100K followers). Use Collabstr, Grin, or manual outreach. Negotiate flat rates ($50–200/video). Send briefs + products. Target 50+ pieces total by month-end.

Post 4–5× weekly on TikTok and Instagram Reels. Define 3–4 content pillars per brand. Engage daily in comments and DMs. Use trending sounds and hooks. Track which content gets saves/shares.

Build a 90-day content calendar in Notion or Airtable. Map content types: educational, BTS, testimonials, trends. Batch-produce 2–4 weeks ahead. Use Canva or CapCut for fast editing.

Gift products to 20–50 micro-influencers (1K–50K) per brand with no obligation. Track who posts organically. Build a "creator roster" for future paid partnerships and whitelisting.

Set up Klaviyo or Mailchimp. Build welcome flow, abandoned cart, and launch announcement. Create a lead magnet (discount, guide, or early access). Target 1K+ emails by end of April.

Finalize Shopify (or similar) stores. Optimize product pages with UGC, lifestyle shots, and benefit-focused copy. Ensure mobile-first design, fast load times, and clear CTAs. Run a soft launch to friends/family first.

Launch with UGC creatives (no stock photos). Start broad, let algorithm optimize. Test 3–5 ad variations per brand. Budget: $50–100/day per brand, scale winners. Use Advantage+ Shopping for simplicity.

Run Spark Ads using top organic content. Test TikTok Shop if eligible. Use Creative Center for trends. Target lookalikes of engaged users. Native, scroll-stopping creative outperforms polished ads.

Launch Google Shopping and branded search. Start SEO: keyword-optimized product descriptions and 2–4 blog posts per brand. Target long-tail keywords with purchase intent. Don't neglect Google Merchant Center setup.

Install pixels (Meta, TikTok, Google). Build audiences: site visitors, email list, video viewers. Create 1–3% lookalikes for prospecting. Retarget cart abandoners within 24–72 hours.

Set up GA4, server-side conversion APIs, UTM structure. Track ROAS, CAC, LTV weekly. Build a simple dashboard (Looker Studio or spreadsheet) for all 3 brands. Document baseline metrics.

Test landing pages, ad creatives, headlines, CTAs. One variable per test. Run for at least 7 days or 100+ conversions. Document learnings in a shared doc. Double down on winners.

Launch loyalty program (LoyaltyLion, Smile.io, or native). Add referral incentives (discount or free product). Consider subscription for replenishables. Build post-purchase flows: day 3, day 14, win-back at 30 days.

Partner with complementary (non-competing) brands for co-marketing, giveaways, and bundles. Explore wholesale and retail. Join relevant trade shows or online communities. Build a partnership pipeline.

Optimize pricing with A/B tests. Add upsells at checkout and post-purchase. Implement "frequently bought together." Analyze unit economics and margins. Cut or reposition underperformers.

Implement Judge.me, Yotpo, or Loox. Automate review requests (post-purchase email + SMS). Curate top UGC and reviews into ad creatives and landing pages. Target 4.5+ star average with 20+ reviews per product.

Hire VAs or part-time help for customer service, fulfillment, and content scheduling. Automate with Zapier/Make: order sync, review requests, social posting. Streamline inventory and supplier communication.

Test Pinterest Ads, YouTube Shorts, Amazon, or Etsy. Launch affiliate program (Impact, Refersion). Explore podcast sponsorships and PR. Only add channels where you have proof of demand.

Full P&L review across all 3 brands. Identify top and bottom performers. Set Q3 revenue targets, ad budgets, and growth goals. Plan new SKUs or product expansions. Document what worked and what didn't.

Increase budgets on winning campaigns (max +20% per week to avoid algorithm reset). Order new UGC batches. Explore influencer whitelisting and creator ads. Test new creative angles before scaling.