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Getting Your Business Legal

by NellieAkalp
June 17th, 2013

By: Douglas Palmer

For people — more specifically women — who start a business, they’re adding more to their existing to-do lists. In addition to shuttling the kids to soccer, planning dinner, and managing the household you now have to register your business, choose a name, set up a site…the list goes on and on!

I have made a career for myself out of helping entrepreneurs in their journey to starting a business. The biggest decision you’ll make in legalizing your business is choosing what type of business entity works best for your brand. Here’s an overview of your options:

  • Corporation (C Corp or S Corp): Protects your personal assets. Offers certain tax deductions and benefits. Acts as its own entity.
  • LLC: Also protects your personal assets. Has fewer hoops to jump through than a corporation. Doesn’t require you to file business taxes (just report the income on your personal tax forms).
  • Sole Proprietorship or Partnership: Your personal assets are liable, should you be sued, and can be taken from you. You file taxes as an individual.

Many business owners end up with the wrong business entity simply because they don’t know which one best suits their needs. Continue reading “Getting Your Business Legal” »

Categories Business Checklists
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Creating a Five-Year Business Plan

by Susan Payton
June 14th, 2013

By: Eli Christman

It may be hard to envision what your company will look like in five years, but smart businesses at least try to project where they want to be in the future. Having a five-year business plan can help you create a vision of where you want to take your business.

Start with the End in Mind

Have you ever considered what your exit strategy is for your business? Meaning: will you sell it down the road? Transfer ownership to a family member? Run it until you die? Even if you can’t imagine ever stopping what you’re doing, consider the question. Maybe you’d like to move on to a different type of business in a few years. Knowing how long you’d like to run your business and how you’d like to exit can help you in creating your five-year business plan. Continue reading “Creating a Five-Year Business Plan” »

Categories Business Tools
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Why You Need Customer Recommendations More Than Ever

by Anita Campbell
June 12th, 2013

By: Mike Licht

With so many devices pushing information at us today, it’s no wonder many people feel bombarded with communication overload. That means people have less mindshare than ever to give to YOUR business.

So the question becomes: “How does my business stand out from the ‘noise’ and get through to people?” Your job is to be like a hot knife through butter – and cut through.

That’s where customer recommendations come in. When you’ve got truly happy customers, they like telling their friends about you. Then those friends become customers.

4 Different Types of Customer Referrals and Recommendations

Luckily, today there are more ways than ever to take advantage of customer recommendations.  The Web actually expands the traditional customer recommendation in important ways.  Let’s take a look at four different types of customer recommendations.

Social media — Social media has made referring a business to others easier than ever for customers. A simple tweet or a Facebook post are fairly fast and simple activities for a customer to complete.  The downside to them is that they may only be seen by others who happen to be viewing the recommender’s feed that day.  You can expand that by retweeting or sharing the mention on your own Facebook Page. Continue reading “Why You Need Customer Recommendations More Than Ever” »

Categories Marketing Mondays
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NEW: Get Your Guides On Social Media Tips and Small Business Marketing on a Shoestring Budget

by CorpNet
June 11th, 2013

We’re excited to announce that entrepreneurs looking to start a business now can access our three new small business guides: How to start a blog, How to get press coverage, and Social Media Tips for every small business. The guides are all free for download on our website.

“Over the years, we’ve produced helpful business tips and resources such as guides on starting a business, incorporating a business, or setting up a sole proprietorship. However, we know that there’s a lot more involved to building a thriving business. That’s why we’re branching out to provide our small business clients with lots of other free resources, including hot topics like how to start a blog, social media tips and PR,” said Nellie Akalp, co-founder and CEO of CorpNet.com.

The three new guides join other helpful small business resources on CorpNet.com such as Starting a Business Checklist, LLC Basics, and Filing a DBA.

The free PDFs specifically address some of the most pressing small business questions when it comes to building a brand, community, and sales in today’s digitally social age. Specifically, the guides include: Continue reading “NEW: Get Your Guides On Social Media Tips and Small Business Marketing on a Shoestring Budget” »

Categories Marketing Your Business
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How to Start a Gym Business

by CorpNet
June 10th, 2013

 

By: Maxine Simpson

If you want to start a business in the fitness industry, specifically, if you want to open a gym, you’re in good company. The industry is worth $25 billion in the US alone, it seems like more people are willing to pay to get healthy and get fit.

In terms of what type of fitness business you can start, there are a number of niches you can consider, including:

Personal trainer

Fitness studio

Gym

Yoga instructor

Fitness products retail

Fitness videos

When you start a business in any industry, you’ve got to have drive and vision of what you want to achieve. After teaching fitness classes in several locations, CorpNet client Jonathan DePaz, owner and creator of DePaz Energie, knew he was ready to start a fitness studio of his own:

“I wanted to create a lifestyle, a place where people can go to stay fit, be fit, and get healthy, and do it every day.”

Ask yourself why you want to start a fitness business, and determine whether you have the drive to keep it going, even when things get tough. Continue reading “How to Start a Gym Business” »

Categories Starting a Business
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6 of the Best Home Business Ideas for 2013

by Susan Payton
June 7th, 2013

If you’ve ever had the dream to start a home business, but didn’t know where to start, read on. Here, we cover the best home business ideas for 2013, and give you a nudge in the direction of getting started.

1. Ecommerce

This covers a lot of territory, but if you have a bit of cash to invest in inventory and a well-designed website that will help you process payments and orders, you can sell just about anything, from clothing to computers. And if you want to start a home business in ecommerce with a little help, consider an out-of-the-box solution like eBay or Amazon, which allows you to sell on the site while taking a cut of your revenues.

Image representing eBay as depicted in CrunchBase

Image via CrunchBase

Cost and Tools to Get Started: Ecommerce businesses range greatly in the startup costs, but expect to pay a minimum of $1,000 just for inventory, depending on what you choose to sell. You’ll spend more like $10,000 if you invest in an ecommerce website, but starting on eBay or Amazon is free, and the transaction infrastructure is already built in.

Continue reading “6 of the Best Home Business Ideas for 2013” »

Categories Starting a Business
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How to Start a Skincare Business

by CorpNet
June 5th, 2013

By: Pan Pacific

If you plan to start a business, specifically planning to start a skincare business, there are several things you’ll need to do before you start scheduling customers to come in for facials, waxing, or consultation. Here’s a checklist of what you need to know if you want to know how to start a skincare business.

1. Decide What Services You Will Offer. Some aestheticians focus on one area, like facials or botox. Determine what you’re passionate about and build your business around it.

2. Get Licensed. To start a skincare business, you need a business license to ensure you know the proper procedures to use and health and safety precautions to keep your location up to code. You may need to attend classes or enroll in beauty school, so build the time it takes t become a licensed aesthetician to your business plan.

3. Will You Be Independent or Contracted? You have two choices when starting a skincare business: you can open your own spa or you can work at someone else’s. Opening your own spa, of course, gives you more freedom and opportunity for profit, but it will also require you to be a full-on business owner. Ask yourself if you’re ready for the commitment.

4. Find a Space. If you want to open your own spa, seek out a physical location that has the space you need, is easy to get to, has ample parking, and will attract foot traffic.

5. Create Your Ambience. A spa, by its nature, should be relaxing and calming. Consider retaining an interior designer that can help you get the vibe you want for your spa. Continue reading “How to Start a Skincare Business” »

Categories Business Checklists
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CorpNet Reviews – 100′s of Customers Say “We Love CorpNet!”

by Mike Glezos
June 4th, 2013

CorpNet Reviews

100's of CorpNet Reviews

Leave Us a Review

Love our service?  Let the world know. Here are five ways …

TrustLink Reviews

http://bit.ly/CorpNet-TrustLink

Yelp Review

http://bit.ly/CorpNet-Yelp

Google Plus Logo

http://bit.ly/CorpNet-GooglePlus

LinkedIn Review

http://linkd.in/177V69q

Facebook Logo

http://on.fb.me/ywgULh

CorpNet Reviews – Why Leave One?

A sure-fire way for entrepreneurs to make a name for themselves in addition to obtaining the attention of new customers is to have the stories of their past customers’ experiences as an expression of the unfaltering trust in the company and the products the company provides, better known as online reviews. For a company like CorpNet, the reviews could not speak any louder about the products and the services which CorpNet provides for new and established entrepreneurs-resoundingly, the reviews from multiple customers, old and new, agree that CorpNet provides the utmost service and makes forming a business as easy as can be at any step of the process.

For CorpNet, reviews can be found on a number of sites, namely though Google+, Yelp and TrustLink. All of these sites are well respected for providing quality reviews on businesses from former and current customers. CorpNet welcomes all of their customers to write a review about the services and quality customer care the company provides. Also, CorpNet invites potential clients to look over the company’s reviews in order to become better acquainted with the company’s ability to consistently maintain a high level of professionalism, courtesy and efficiency, according to the highest authority, you … the customer.

How CorpNet Can Help You

Forming a corporation can be one of the most daunting tasks for a new entrepreneur, as is taking a business to it’s next level for an experienced entrepreneur, so finding a company which will openly and honestly walk such entrepreneurs through each step with great detail is vital to the success of a business. For CorpNet, the writing is on the wall, or in this modern age on the walls of many social media and review websites.

Our Reviews-The Writing Is On The Media Walls

CorpNet reviews are written on a number of sites and upon reading will instantly reveal the customer satisfaction the company ensures for each and every new and seasoned entrepreneur they encounter.

Every review to be found regarding CorpNet indicates the company is doing nothing but a stellar job. Common themes in CorpNet reviews are the company’s ability to exceed expectations, to provide peace of mind, give the fairest price for the excellent work being done and the company’s commitment to giving only the best customer service every time, for every customer.

In fact it seems many CorpNet customers choose to entrust CorpNet with their precious business because of previously written reviews. A number of the CorpNet reviews written indicate that customers had chosen CorpNet because of incredible reviews they had read about the company and the services they provide to help form a business. Commonly, many reviews tell of customers who had aimlessly been searching through the web to finally land on CorpNet. Besides the company’s descriptive, detailed and assistive website, it was the company’s already outstanding reviews that sold so many budding and seasoned entrepreneurs on CorpNet as they searched the web from around the country.

Reviews, Becoming The Truly Human Form Of Advertising

More and more customers are depending on reviews as their main source when deciding which business to use as opposed to traditional advertising. A study from 2012 indicated that nearly 92 percent of Americans and customers from around the globe will trust their fellow consumer instead of traditional ads. Regarding this trend, more business savvy companies who are looking to please their clientele are noticing what their customers want, like CorpNet and realizing that their outstanding service will be best be spoken for through their customers’ reviews.

For highly successful companies which offer quality products and service, the answer to advertisement is obvious: let the customers speak for us. So to speak, the proof is in the review pudding for customers who are shopping around for new businesses. Thus, CorpNet reviews convey what the company wants prospective customers to know-that CorpNet provides the best services for customers looking to form a business and that their clients are willing to take the time to tell others about their great experiences.

The aforementioned study, conducted by Nielsen Global Trust in Advertising reported:

“Consumers around the world continue to see recommendations from friends and online consumer opinions as by far the most credible. As a result, successful brand advertisers will seek ways to better connect with consumers and leverage their goodwill in the form of consumer feedback and experiences.”

Obviously consumers are looking for companies they know they can trust before spending their hard-earned money instead of spending it on disreputable companies, only to find the service, products and quality are subpar after the fact. More creative forms of advertising, using an increasing amount of social media and reviews, are becoming the norm for ensuring new customers trust in a company.

“Many companies are already increasing their paid advertising activity on social networking sites, in part due to the high level of trust consumers place in friends’ recommendations and online opinions. Brands should be watching this emerging ad channel closely as it continues to grow.”

Reviews, Becoming The Truly Human Form Of Advertising

Essentially reviews are one of the most human ways for a business to connect with their customers and CorpNet not only realizes this emerging trend but also embraces it because nothing less than quality is expected from the leader in “start a business” services. The hundreds of positive reviews enable customers to put their trust in CorpNet when forming their businesses, making CorpNet one of the best places to start your business.

Mike Glezos
Founder & CEO of the business naming agency Biz Name Wiz, a creative writing team who provides naming help for businesses, websites, products & slogans. Mike has 15+ years of eCommerce Director experience and launched over 400 web projects for clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500′s like Chase, HSBC, Air New Zealand, AKON & more.

Categories Events & Announcements, Marketing Your Business
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5 Ways to Ward off Entrepreneurial Stress

by NellieAkalp
June 3rd, 2013

By: Eamon Curry

Entrepreneurs are notorious overachievers. They’re accustomed to pushing forward without a playbook, yet the exhilaration of starting and managing your own business also comes with a heavy price – stress. That’s because small business owners tend to work long hours, with little separation between work and play.

If that sounds all too familiar, read on to learn several everyday tips to combat the stress of entrepreneurial life:

1. Don’t link happiness to the results. Running a business, no matter the size, is one big rollercoaster ride. There will be highs, for example, your first customer, a big sale, the launch of your website, or a fantastic customer review. But inevitably, there will also be lows. As much as possible, you need to separate your emotional responses from this entrepreneurial rollercoaster. You’ll be miserable if you feel personally rejected every time you lose a sale, an employee quits, or a lender denies your application.

Remember that the low points are just a natural part of the process. Be grateful that you have the opportunity to follow your passion and remain proud of your ability to create your own path. Enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

2. Exercise.  I know firsthand how hectic an entrepreneur’s daily schedule can be, yet no matter how busy you are it’s critical that you make time for exercise. A good workout helps release stress, as physical activity encourages your body pump out more of those feel-good neurotransmitters. Exercise will help keep your mood elevated even when things at work get really tough. Continue reading “5 Ways to Ward off Entrepreneurial Stress” »

Categories Business Tools
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CorpNet CEO, Nellie Akalp, Presenting for Grow Your Business Girl Network

by CorpNet
May 29th, 2013

Screen Shot 2013-05-29 at 2.14.18 PMIf you’re looking for an extra boost to get motivated and inspired to start a business, you may want to consider tuning into the Grow Your Business Girl Tele-summit from June 25 – 28, 2013!

Hosted by Antoinette Sykes, this Tele-summit is sure to inspire and encourage you to get that business off the ground and heading towards success and profitability. An array of leading women in business are presenting on various topics that will be sure to help guide you in the right direction to help you in starting, protecting, and managing your business!

Our very own CEO, Nellie Akalp (DM her via twitter @CorpNetNellie),  will be presenting an informative session on how to get your business started legally in just 6 easy steps! She will discuss the various legal steps of starting a business and of course how to incorporate a business  or form an LLC and why it is so important to the success of your new venture!

As an added bonus to Grow Your Business Girl Telesummit attendees, Nellie is offering special deals and freebies:

  • $10 off discount towards any CorpNet.com deluxe or complete formation package. Just use promo code: GYBT
  • FREE Business consultation call to get your business off the ground! Give us a call at 1.888.752.0363
  • FREE access to CorpNet.com’s B.I.Z. (Business Information Zone) service that helps keep your business in compliance to avoid late fees and penalties!

Happy Business Building!

–The CorpNet Team

Categories Events & Announcements, Women In Business
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