In 1987, Bob Adams founded a startup to help employers with the burdens of HR, payroll, and benefits administration. Today, Adams Keegan Inc. supports organizations across the U.S. Staying true to those early roots, here are six practical steps that can help make any startup — whether for-profit or nonprofit — successful. Build it right from the start No matter how many calculations an entrepreneur may run, many are surprised at the actual costs for a successful startup.