Startup and Launch

Are you considering launching a new business? If so our startup and launch articles are an ideal resource for you to dig into and educate yourself. Our blog posts cover everything from selecting the best type of business entity to knowing what state you should incorporate in. Don’t make unnecessary mistakes! Let our startup experts get you headed in the right direction.

How Many Members Can an LLC Have?

Besides personal liability protection, flexibility is among the top reasons entrepreneurs choose the Limited Liability Company (LLC) business structure for their companies. An LLC can have an unlimited number of owners, called “members” (with few restrictions on...

Abstract of Network of People

Can You File Your Own LLC?

Many entrepreneurs who want to form a Limited Liability Company (LLC) think they must hire a lawyer to handle the paperwork. They’re mistaken! While it’s helpful to consult an attorney about which business entity type is right for your business and get answers to...

Woman Working on Laptop at Home

What is a Business Statement of Purpose for an LLC or Corporation?

When starting a Limited Liability Company or C Corporation, businesses in most states must provide a written statement of business purpose in their formation documents (Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization). The business purpose statement describes...

Vintage Typewriter With Paper

Can I Use a Home Address for My LLC?

Is it OK to use your residential address as your business address, too? Here's what to consider before you use your home address to incorporate a business.

Woman With Question Marks

How to Manage Payroll for Restaurants

Maintaining an exceptional staff reigns as one of the essential ingredients for a successful restaurant. With hiring that staff, comes payroll responsibilities and complying with all related federal, state, and local employment and tax laws. Payroll for restaurants...

Restaurant Owner Working on Laptop

Incorporate Before Year End to Avoid Issues at the Secretary of State

Think you’re the only business owner who wants to incorporate or form an LLC before the end of the year with your Secretary of State? Think again. Registering a business at the end of a calendar year can take longer than any other time of the year. Because everyone...

Calendar With People Standing In Front of It

When’s the Best Time of Year to Form an LLC?

Have you been thinking of launching a new business or changing your existing Sole Proprietorship to a formal business entity type like a Limited Liability Company, S Corporation, or C Corporation? Are you concerned that you might not be selecting the best time of...

Calendar and Clock

How to Start a Business in Wisconsin

If you're considering starting a new business in Wisconsin, there are a lot of reasons why this is a great option. Wisconsin offers a robust business ecosystem with a skilled workforce, business-friendly policies, and a central location in the U.S. It provides a...

Wisconsin Welcome Sign

What Is Form 1023?

Filing formation paperwork with the state is just one step required to start a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Federal income tax exempt status isn’t automatic. A nonprofit must file Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section...

Man Completing Form 1023

What Is a DUNS Number and How Do You Get One?

A Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) D-U-N-S® Number is a unique nine-digit number assigned to a company to help potential lenders, partners, and suppliers assess the business’s stability, creditworthiness, and other qualities. Having a DUNS Number can help a company...

duns number

Checklist for Launching a New Business in Indiana

Launching a new business in Indiana can be a smart move due to the state’s favorable business environment. Characterized by relatively low corporate taxes, reasonable regulatory requirements, and a comparatively affordable cost of living, Indiana’s central location...

Downtown Indianapolis Indiana at Night

A Guide for Starting a Business in Colorado

Colorado’s economy is just as varied and unique as its people and landscape. Tourists flock from around the world to experience Colorado’s scenery, recreational adventures, and cultural activities. In addition, Colorado has a long successful history of ranching,...

Colorado Skyline With Mountain Backdrop

A Guide for Starting a Business in Maryland

Maryland’s strategic location on the east coast of the U.S. is within easy reach of major metropolitan cities like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City. This proximity can give your business access to a large customer base and supply chain...

Baltimore Maryland Downtown

What Is a Certificate of Formation?

If you’re considering starting a business as a Limited Liability Company (LLC), you’ll want to become familiar with the term “Certificate of Formation.” Sometimes called Articles of Organization or Certificate of Organization, a Certificate of Formation is the...

Illustration of a Man Signing a Certificate

A Guide for Starting a Business in Michigan

If you’ve been thinking about starting a business in Michigan, you're in good company. With plentiful resources, incentives, and loans, Michigan is home to 902,000 small businesses that represent 48.3 % of the state's workers. Michigan offers one of the best...

Aerial view of downtown Detroit at twilight

Tax Saving Features of Corporations, S Corporations, and LLCs

I regularly speak to business owners about entity types and their potential impact from a tax perspective. A while back, I created a webinar for accountants (and other professional services providers that work with businesses) on the topic of business structures...

Man Cutting Tax With Scissors

10 Ways to Promote Your New Business

Excited to start your new business in the coming year? Whether you’re forming your company as a sole proprietorship or a Limited Liability Company (LLC), promoting a new business takes strategizing and fresh ideas. Otherwise, it’s challenging to get your new...

OPen-Sign-in-Business-Window

Articles of Incorporation vs. Articles of Organization

If you're thinking about starting a business, you’ll want to research which business entity type will be most advantageous to you. As you go through that process, you will discover that various documents and filings need to be submitted to the state to form a...

Man Reviewing Documents

How to Legally Start a Food Truck Business

According to IBISWorld, the food truck industry has 25,476 businesses in 2020. Growth in the industry from 2015 to 2020 averaged 8.7%. With the COVID-19 crisis a reality now, arguably, the food truck industry may be better suited than brick-and-mortar restaurants...

Smiling waiter giving order to customers at counter

The What, Why, and How of Incorporating Out-of-State

A lot of entrepreneurs wonder what state should be used to incorporate a new business. Should it be their own state or maybe another state like Delaware or Nevada? There is no easy answer to that question, however, there are definite benefits for some businesses to...

US Map of States With Connecting Dots

How to Start a Restaurant Business

Are you thinking about how to start a restaurant business? Without a doubt, it's an industry that contributes immensely to our economy. According to statistics from the National Restaurant Association, there are over one million restaurant locations in the United...

Friends Eating at a Restaurant

Sole Proprietorship vs. Partnership

You have much to think about and many questions to answer when starting a business. One of the most fundamental considerations is what type of business structure is right for you. Often, new small businesses choose to operate as a sole proprietorship or general...

Versus Illustration

3 Must-Have LLC Documents

If you’re considering filing as a Limited Liability Company (LLC), it’s probably in part because this business structure provides business owners with liability protection and pass-through tax status, while minimizing the business formalities and paperwork you’re...

LLC Letters Built Out of Cubes

Can an H-1B Visa Holder Start an LLC?

People interpret the American dream differently. For many foreigners, it likely represents an opportunity for prosperity and success. Coming to the United States and starting a business is often the start of that prosperity. The United States government allows...

H1B Visa Close Up

LLP vs. LLC

When you’re starting a small business that has more than one owner, you and your partner(s) may have concerns about your personal liability risks. If this is the case, it would be wise to compare LLP vs. LLC business structures. Limited liability partnerships (LLP)...

Blocks Balancing on a Scale

How to Legally Start a Nonprofit Business

There is nothing more fulfilling than directing time and energy toward helping others in need. If you're passionate about a cause, you may have wondered how to start a nonprofit business. Some aspects of starting a nonprofit organization are similar to starting a...

Happy volunteer looking at donation box

How to Start an Amazon Business

If you've been intrigued by the flexibility and income potential of selling online, starting an Amazon business is probably at the top of your to-do list. There's no denying Amazon's reach and reputation, which is why so many Americans have a strong pull toward...

woman working sell online in her home

How to Start a Business in West Virginia

A lot of entrepreneurs have decided to start a business in West Virginia and there is good reason. It is centrally located and within an eight-hour drive from major metropolitan areas and it offers some of the country's lowest labor and utility costs. Known as the...

Sunset View of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

What Comes After Incorporation? 12 Steps to Keep You On Track

Congratulations! You have officially registered your Limited Liability Company or Corporation with the state. But now what? What happens next? While forming an LLC or Corporation is a critical first step to operating a formal business entity, there's more work to...

Checklist on Wall With Woman in Chair

Subscribe to Newsletter

Practical business and financial insights, lessons, perspectives, and know-how brought right to your inbox.

Thank you for subscribing!

100% satisfaction guaranteed or we will refund 100% of our service fees with no questions asked!