The Launch Blog: Expert Advice from the CorpNet Team
How to Start a Small Business on Etsy
Etsy has given artists, crafters, and collectors a highly visible online marketplace for selling their own-made arts and crafts, vintage items, and crafting supplies. Are you a talented, hands-on individual with a vision of offering your creations to customers across the United States or even beyond? Then you have probably wondered how to start a small business on Etsy. I can understand why! The number of active buyers on Etsy has increased steadily over the years, going from 9.3 million in 2012 to over 46.3 million in 2019. The number of sellers who have [...]
What is a Holding Company?
Many business owners operate multiple businesses and there’s a good reason for that: Once you have one business and business structure in place, it’s much easier to get a new business off the ground than if you had to start from scratch each time. At some point in your entrepreneurial life you may come upon an idea or opportunity too good to pass up. But you have no intention to stop operating your current business. So, the question becomes how should you structure the new business—should it be a part of the original business, [...]
How to Move A Business To Another State
When you move from one house to another, you likely have a checklist of things you need to take care of in the process…changing your mailing address, calling your cable TV provider, contacting your internet company. But when moving your business to another state, many business owners don’t know where to begin. There are many reasons to consider moving your business to another state. For example: Your target market has changed—economically and/or demographically. The cost of real estate (including property taxes) has risen so much your business is at risk of going under. The [...]
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 for-profit business, but nuances exist. Incorporating a nonprofit can be confusing and complicated. Let’s dive into what it means to be a nonprofit organization and explore some of the considerations and steps involved in becoming one. Please keep in mind that the information that I'm about to provide in this article [...]
What Does It Mean to Have Multiple Trademark Owners?
One of the many risks business owners face is one that rarely comes to mind—but could put your business in a dangerous position. We’re talking about trademark protection for your intellectual property. A trademark is a word, phrase, name, or symbol that identifies the source of a product or service and distinguishes it from competitors. You can trademark your company name, product names, logos, and taglines. Running a Business Without Trademark Protection Without the protection of a federally registered trademark: Your company or product name could be stolen. Without trademark ownership, it’s easier for companies [...]
What to Know About Business Entities and How You Can Save on Taxes Next Year
Businesses of all sizes and industries have been put through the proverbial ringer in 2020. No one could have foreseen the toll the coronavirus would take on entrepreneurs from independent contractors to C corporations and everyone in between. One positive thing, however, is the tax deadline has been pushed to July 15, 2020. That means there’s still time to learn about the tax issues based on your business entity and take advantage of some tax savings on your 2021 return, no matter what your legal structure. Sole Proprietorship In a sole proprietorship, there is no legal [...]
Outsourcing to Get Back to Business
Making plans to get your business back on track post-coronavirus pandemic? Here are five responsibilities you should consider outsourcing so you can devote more of your time and energy to the areas where you are most needed. 1. Website Updates and Maintenance Your website is likely the most important marketing tool in your arsenal and yet it also probably gets neglected from time to time—especially in the aftermath of a crisis, such as a coronavirus. Unless you’re into coding and application updates, outsourcing IT tasks such as website fixes is a great place to start [...]
Help Your Clients Stay Compliant in a World of Information Overload
Your business clients are dealing with a barrage of information as the coronavirus pandemic evolves. The deluge of new requirements, rules, and recommendations related to COVID-19 has become overwhelming for many entrepreneurs. As a result, some of them may have temporarily lost sight of their ongoing business compliance filings. They need your help! Fortunately, many state governments have deemed professional services providers in the financial and legal industries as essential. Even if your business is under stay-at-home orders, you have ways to serve your clients remotely by embracing technology tools, like video conferencing. This [...]
40 FAQs with All You Need to Know About Filing an LLC
Filing an LLC (Limited Liability Company) provides small businesses with some of the advantages of incorporating (starting a corporation) while preserving simplicity through minimal compliance formalities. I've assembled a comprehensive list of FAQs about the LLC so that you can learn more about the potential benefits, LLC filing requirements, and more. Keep in mind that you have much to consider when choosing a business structure. These LLC FAQs are not legal, accounting, or tax advice. For guidance on whether an LLC or another business entity type will be the best option, business owners should [...]
How to Start an Amazon Business
You may have thought about how to start an Amazon business if you've been intrigued by the flexibility and income potential of selling online. According to an Adeptmind survey in 2018, almost half (46.7%) of internet users in the United States started online product searches on Amazon's website, which is over 10 percent more than the 34.6 percent who went to Google first [1]. There's no denying Amazon's reach and reputation! Starting a business on Amazon, just like launching any commercial endeavor, comes with many considerations and to-dos. In this article, I’ll discuss many [...]
10 Mistakes to Avoid When It Comes to the CARES Act Funding Relief
With tons of misinformation swirling out there, you may be afraid of making a crucial mistake when it comes to applying for and receiving CARES Act relief funding. Here are 10 mistakes to avoid. Application Mistakes 1. Not Being Prepared Any delay in your application could mean your business gets bumped to the bottom of the list. Have on hand: Basic business and contact information Average monthly payroll costs including employee salaries, wages, and commissions; payment of cash tips; payment of vacation; parental, family, medical or sick leave, insurance premiums, etc. 2019 Tax Forms [...]
The Small Business Mid-Year Checklist
How are we nearing mid-year already? If you’re like me, the current business climate has been a whirlwind of trying to keep up on new information, planning for post COVID-19 recovery, and still maintaining running our business operations. Now that we’re approaching the mid-way point of 2020, we think it’s a good time to remind you there are some deadlines you need to keep an eye on and important decisions yet to make. Business Taxes The tax deadline has been pushed to July 15, 2020 which gives individual and business taxpayers more time to [...]
9 Tax Benefits in the CARES Act
There are more advantages to the CARES Act than just relief funding that can help your small business save money and those come in the form of tax breaks. Although most of the breaks are temporary, it’s important to take advantage of all that’s being offered to business owners now, so your company has the best chance of coming out of the pandemic healthy and if not profitable, at least in recovery mode. Here are nine tax breaks and benefits you and your employees can take advantage of today. Tax Benefits For Your Business [...]
Texas Annual Reports and Franchise Tax Information
Does your business have to file a Texas annual report and pay franchise tax? Report filing requirements in Texas vary according to the type of business entity, so the answer to that question is, "It depends." In this article, I'll list the different annual reports that businesses may need to submit to the Texas Comptroller's office by the May 15 deadline of each year. I'll also cover the basics of the Texas franchise tax, which must also be reported and filed by May 15. Please note that due to the coronavirus pandemic, Texas has [...]
3 Ways a Business Owner Can Respond to COVID-19
Small business owners know the key to survival in any economy is flexibility and adaptability. To handle difficult situations, such as the restrictions imposed during the current coronavirus pandemic, entrepreneurs must be creative and think outside the box to come up with solutions for business survival. Here are three ways small businesses can successfully navigate to a positive outcome. 1. Scale to Meet Unusual Demand In order to scale your company during the pandemic, your type of business would likely have to be deemed essential and be in high demand to provide services or [...]