Starting own pet sitter business - contracts?

[Schwippsy]

What is the name of your state? IL

Hi
Hope everybody is still in good holiday spirits. After 13 years with my employer I was just laid off. I am now thinking about starting my own business and see how a pet sitter/vacation service would work for me.
I totally have no clue were to start and am looking for input from folks that know what to put in such a contract with a client whose pet I will be watching. What is required to officially be my own business? What does 'INC.' require, how to get about it. Would love to hear your input and also unforeseen situations that you might have ran into and wish you would have thought of before.
Appreciate any helpful responses.
THANKS

 

[msiron]

If I were you I'd go the LLC route. Just google the difference.

File a DBA (doing business as) with you local government.

Then get a bond as it may be required.

You'll need a tax ID (state and maybe federal)

Get the LLC via your state (it is not cheap in most states) I think IL is $500.00 for the 1st year (possibly less every year after) cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/business_services/corp.html

Dogs do bite, so you should have Liability Ins. at least $500k, though I'd go with $1mil. (most people will want to see copies before hiring you) they don't want to be liable if something happens, you need to be liable and insured for that.

 

[racer72]

I totally have no clue were to start

Then you are not ready to start a business, there is no way anyone can tell you what to do or what you need on an internet forum. If you want to start a successful business, first get a job in the industry. Learn all you can inside and out. Take some business classes from you local community college or trade school. Pay special attention to tax and licensing issues. When you think you know everything about the business, then consider starting your own. Half of all new businesses fail in the first year, 90% will fail in 5 years. Almost all that fail will tell you it was lack of preparation and knowledge of the business that caused them to fail.