Should I register a business before making any money?
People face early business registration laws and startup fees before knowing if their venture will actually make money. This stops them from starting safely without risking money on taxes and registration for unproven ideas.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Asking experienced business owners on forums for adviceDid this help you?
- 2Waiting for better financial conditions or more capitalDid this help you?
- 3Waiting until there is consistent income before registeringDid this help you?
- 4Delaying registration to avoid startup fees for unproven ideasDid this help you?
- 5Running events sporadically or weeklyDid this help you?
- 6Searching for external grantsDid this help you?
- 7Asking the online community for advice and metricsDid this help you?
- 8Visiting nearest manufacturers to inquire about profit margins and machine setupsDid this help you?
- 9running numbers and scenarios through chatbotsDid this help you?
- 10asking family and friends for feedbackDid this help you?
- 11calculating break-even math for fixed costsDid this help you?
- 12renting a room by the day in an existing salon suite to test booking capacityDid this help you?
- 13Asking online communities for recommendationsDid this help you?
- 14Proposing specific ideas like a taxi company to see how they feelDid this help you?
- 15Continuing to work for somebody elseDid this help you?
- 16Relying on word-of-mouth in a semi-rural areaDid this help you?
- 17Trying to resell products on eBayDid this help you?
- 18Attempting to start an Uber businessDid this help you?
- 19Reading startup books like $100 Startup or Million Dollar WeekendDid this help you?
- 20Building products to solve personal pain pointsDid this help you?
- 21pulling the plug on the ideaDid this help you?
- 22just doing it to find outDid this help you?
- 23Exploring different options such as e-commerce, freelancing, and digital productsDid this help you?
- 24Trying to learn about many different things independentlyDid this help you?
- 25Remaining in the secure, high-paying corporate role and trying to move up the ladderDid this help you?
- 26Attempting to launch the new business venture part-time while keeping the current day job until achieving profitabilityDid this help you?
- 27Doing research on specific local regulations and obtaining a business license from the cityDid this help you?
- 28Setting up separate bank accounts for the businessDid this help you?
- 29Registering the business with the relevant authoritiesDid this help you?
- 30Staying at a current firm and aiming for a partner pathDid this help you?
- 31Operating as a solo practitioner ('one-man shop') to avoid managing staff and HR overheadDid this help you?
- 32Treating startup stock options as having zero financial valueDid this help you?
- 33Staying at a current stable role to prioritize lifestyle and liquid compensationDid this help you?
- 34Focusing on the potential for accelerated skill development to offset the financial riskDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I'd like some advice.”source ↗
“Given the current economic conditions, is this a good time to start a business?”source ↗
“this all feels like a big gamble because I haven’t figured out how to really vet this business for the real world.”source ↗
“My countrys law seems to require business registration pretty early, but what if you don’t even know whether what youre doing will make any money?”source ↗
“Would you register immediately, or wait until there’s actually some consistent income?”source ↗
“I’m interested in starting an online business, but I’m honestly not sure what direction I should take.”source ↗
“I’ve tried to learn about many things, but I still don’t have a clear idea of what I should focus on or how I should start properly.”source ↗
“Seasonal event business: how do I know if it's viable?”source ↗
“The busy season was decently profitable, but it's weather-dependent and profitable maybe 4 months of the year, with no slow-season plan yet.”source ↗
“Events are ticketed, and sales fluctuate every week, so income is hard to predict.”source ↗
“Now, I’m planning to run an alterations business from home. How should I go about it? I heard I need a business license from the city—is that the right way to start?”source ↗
“not paying 200$ startup tax for no reason if it turns out to be smth i will make it”source ↗
“I want to start business Hence I searching for business which start with small capital then I know about this disposable paper cup business.”source ↗
“He told that this business have very less marin and competition and profit are very low .”source ↗
“Someone who is in this or related business can tell me more about this business or can this business give some decent profits”source ↗
“I’ve actually thought about this, but I would have to reduce at least 6 modalities down to 2 and ultimately change the whole business idea. I’m not sure I’m willing to do that, but I’ll give it some more thought.”source ↗
“I guess my worry was spending all the time and money on resources and equipment for there not to even really be a market for these types of items and to end up losing money in the end plus a possible failed business lol”source ↗
“What are the biggest pros and cons of branching out and buying my own book?”source ↗
“since so many firms have been merging with mid size firms lately, it’s making me question whether it’s worth it to go buy my own book or just stay at my current firm and eventually make partner one day.”source ↗
“I prefer the flexibility of being a one-man shop. I work with the clients I want to, I take time off when I want to, keep all the money for myself.”source ↗
“I guess the question is, should I trade potential FIRE money with lifestyle?”source ↗
“Also, I recently moved to London with my girlfriend, so I wonder whether I should rather stay at my current company and settle in a bit rather than going straight into hussle mode.”source ↗
“If I could pay my mortgage with all the options I’ve gotten over the years I would be living in a castle. They rarely pay out and it’s usually a lot less than you think you would have gotten.”source ↗
“Hey all, I’m looking for some feedback.”source ↗
“However, I have always aspired to own my own business and be my own boss.”source ↗
“Given everything I’ve written, would you stay in the vendor world and double-down to try to move up the ladder, or chase this dream of opening an MSP?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 19Should I keep going with my stagnating business or quit?
- 13How do I know if I should sell my business?
- 11How to quit a corporate job to start your own business
- 2Can I start selling before my LLC is officially approved?
- 5How to turn a business idea into reality with no money
- 4Do I need an LLC for a low-sales online shop?