The Foundational Five Steps
1. Write a business plan for your record label.
2. Pick a name for your record label and trademark it.
3. Incorporate your business, preferably in Delaware.
4. Apply for bar codes from the UC Council.
5. Register a domain name and build a web site.

The Next Seven Solid Steps
6. Start signing artists and pressing up records.
7. Hook up with a record distributor.
8. Hire a publicist (or do it yourself).
9. Hire a radio promotions company.
10. Start selling records.
11. Get a good accountant.
12. Pay your artists, on time and in full.

For any independent record label, independent retail stores (also referred to as 'indies') are the primary focus of any retail campaign. Getting product in chain stores has everything to do with distribution. Unless you're a major label, none of the chain stores will buy product directly from a label. Once you have access to chain distribution, it is vital that record labels are relentless in direct solicitation to chain accounts. Never depend on a distributor to work your records to chain stores.

Go to Step #11: Get a good accountant.