Freelance Business Start-Up Checklist

A ‘starting a business’ checklist PDF built for Canadian creatives.

Covering legal must-haves, money stuff, and other key steps.

Join thousands of creatives already using this freelance business checklist to start strong.

What you’ll get in this freelance business start-up checklist:

The must-do admin steps to officially launch your freelance business. From registering your business to setting up your banking. No more wondering what you’re missing.
A clear, step-by-step process that takes the guesswork out of getting started. Perfect for anyone who wants a ‘starting a new business’ checklist that doesn’t assume you already know everything.
My go-to tools and systems for running a smooth, profitable business. Save time and money with trusted platforms I use daily.
A printable, keep-it-forever PDF you can reference again and again. Because Googling “starting a consulting business checklist PDF” at 11PM isn’t the move.

Real feedback from real freelancers.

“After 3 years of being in business, I realize that the business checklist highlights the EXACT areas of my business I never set up that have caused me a ton of headaches! I really appreciate the way you have laid out the steps with resources. If I could get the hours back I spent googling and instead be working in the business rather than on it I’m sure I would have made more money and faster!”

“Jasmine's Freelance Creative Business Start-Up checklist was a gamechanger in launching my business! When I did research before I found a lot of information for American folks, so for Jasmine to create a Canadian-specific checklist was incredible. It had everything I was looking for!

Not only that, but it broke things down into bite-sized, manageable pieces, which made it accessible to me. That, and the checklist was in-depth enough that I felt confident enough to do each step.”

“I love this check-list: it’s simple but contains all of the right information, right down to the recommendation of tools and products that are pre-vetted and reputable.

Most checklists I’ve used have just sat in my inbox, unused, but this is one I’ve printed off and will be using over and over again. Highly recommend!”

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What makes this business start up checklist different from others I’ve seen?

This checklist is actually built for Canadian freelance creatives. It covers the practical, often-overlooked stuff like registering your business, invoicing properly, and protecting yourself legally. Without drowning you in jargon. It’s been downloaded by thousands of freelancers and includes the small business essentials I use daily in my own six-figure business.

2. Can I use this starting a new business checklist even if I’ve already started freelancing?

Absolutely. Many freelancers grab this checklist to fill in the gaps, especially around taxes, legal setup, and systems. Even if you’ve been working with clients for a while, this PDF helps you check if you have a solid foundation. Think of it more as a tune-up, than a launchpad.

3. Is this a good fit for consultants or service providers?

Yes! This works great as a starting a consulting business checklist PDF. It doesn’t matter if you’re a strategist, coach, designer, or writer. The steps inside apply across industries and will help you get organized (and paid).

4. Will this checklist help with tools and systems too?

Yup. I include my go-to tools for project management, invoicing, client calls, and more. The goal is to save you from endless comparison scrolling and give you a tested toolkit you can trust. It’s part of why so many people print this starting a business checklist PDF and keep it on their desk.

5. Do I have to be in Canada to use this checklist?

The legal sections are tailored to Canadians (as I’m a Canadian business owner), but most of the checklist applies no matter where you live. If you’re starting a freelance or consulting business and want a step-by-step guide that’s clear and actionable, this will still be super helpful.

Want more support on your freelance journey?

Check out more of my resources. Built by a freelancer, for freelancers.

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Hi! I’m Jasmine.

A freelance content marketing consultant and community builder who’s built a six-figure business from the ground up.

I created this business start up checklist to help you skip the late-night Googling and start your freelance journey with more clarity, confidence, and ease.

If you’re ready to finally feel legit (without the overwhelm), this guide is for you.

Let’s make your freelance biz official.

This freelance business checklist helps you set things up, or tidy up what’s already in motion.