Money3 min read
Estimating startup costs
List what you need to open and to run for the first few months.
Startup costs come in two groups: one-time costs to open, and monthly costs to operate until revenue covers them.
One-time costs (examples)
- Business registration and licenses
- Equipment, tools, initial inventory
- Website, logo, and branding
- Professional help (accountant, attorney review)
Monthly costs (examples)
- Software and subscriptions
- Insurance
- Marketing
- Rent or workspace, if any
- Your own pay, if you need it
Rules of thumb
- Add a 15–25% buffer for surprises.
- Keep enough cash for 3–6 months of monthly costs.
- Spend on what gets you customers first; delay "nice to haves."
Use the Financials tab to turn your estimate into a 12-month projection and a break-even month.