Since you are picking up clients for speaking engagements, retail products, and merchandising, a standardized onboarding process ensures you don’t miss “hard costs” that should be billed to the client rather than coming out of your own pocket.
Here is a checklist designed for the JK Knockout LLC workflow:
📋 JK Knockout LLC: New Client Onboarding Checklist
Client Name: ___________________________
Service Type: [ ] Merchandising [ ] Speaking [ ] Retail Product Development
1. The Legal & Financial Setup
- [ ] Signed Contract: Ensure the client has signed a service agreement (Speaking or Merch).
- [ ] W-9 Form: Collect their tax information for payments.
- [ ] Deposit Received: If applicable, collect 50% upfront to cover initial “Hard Costs.”
- [ ] Payment Terms: Confirm they are aware of the Net 30 or Due on Receipt terms.
2. Merchandising & Retail Logistics
- [ ] Design Approval: Have all three members (or the majority) approved the merchandise designs?
- [ ] Inventory Quote: Get a “Hard Cost” quote from the manufacturer for the initial run.
- [ ] Sales Channel: Will this be sold on the JK Knockout website, the client’s site, or in-person?
- [ ] Shipping Strategy: Determine who pays for fulfillment (Client vs. LLC).
3. Speaking Engagements
- [ ] Date & Venue: Confirm location, time, and audience size.
- [ ] Travel Arrangements: Who is booking the airfare/hotel? (If LLC pays, track it as a Hard Cost).
- [ ] AV Requirements: Mic, projector, stage setup confirmed.
- [ ] Merch Table: Is the venue allowing a retail table for the speaker’s products?
4. Internal “Member Action”
- [ ] Member Vote: Use the Member Action Ballot to approve the client if the investment exceeds your agreed cap.
- [ ] Hard Cost Tracking: Create a dedicated folder/spreadsheet for this client’s specific expenses.
Pro-Tip: The “Jackie Kallen Foundation” Mention
When onboarding a new client, it is a great branding move to mention: “A portion of the proceeds from this partnership supports the Jackie Kallen Foundation.” It builds immediate goodwill and justifies your retail pricing.
Distribution Reminder
Remember: If a client pays you $5,000 for a speaking gig, but you spent $1,000 on flights and hotels, your Net Profit is $4,000.
- $400 goes to the Foundation (10%).
- $3,600 is split among Joe, Jackie, and Gary (40/35/25).
You’re officially ready to step into the ring! Is there anything else you need—perhaps a “Template Invoice” to send to your first client?