Nellie Akalp

Nellie Akalp is an entrepreneur, small business expert, speaker, and mother of four amazing kids. As CEO of CorpNet.com, she has helped more than half a million entrepreneurs launch their businesses. Akalp is nationally recognized as one of the most prominent experts on small business legal matters, contributing frequently to outlets like Entrepreneur, Forbes, Huffington Post, Mashable, and Fox Small Business. A passionate entrepreneur herself, Akalp is committed to helping others take the reigns and dive into small business ownership. Through her public speaking, media appearances, and frequent blogging, she has developed a strong following within the small business community and has been honored as a Small Business Influencer Champion three years in a row.

Do You Need an LLC for Rental Property in Another State?

No matter where you’re buying a rental property, protecting that investment is important. Many real estate investors who own rentals choose to set up each of their properties as a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Doing so helps protect their personal assets from...

For Rent Sign in Front of House

10 Strategies for Growing a Business

Uncertainty is not unfamiliar territory for business owners. However, these past few years have brought a significant amount of ups and downs to entrepreneurs everywhere and in nearly all industries. While some companies focused on their short-term goals, other...

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10 Ways to Create a Successful Brand for Your Small Business

One of the key steps to starting a new company is creating a strong brand. Do it right, and you’ll have a memorable brand that customers line up to do business with. If you are a new business owner, you might not know where to even start. I've been there and I...

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Time to Declare Your Independence

For many, the American dream is all about entrepreneurship. Business ownership is a way to declare personal independence and even though the economy has been a roller coaster lately, it hasn’t quieted America’s entrepreneurial spirit. As a matter of fact, despite...

Sparkler In Front of American Flag

How to Legally Start a Marijuana Business in California

With the legalization of marijuana for adult recreational use in California, it’s an exciting time for the state’s business community. The law brings many opportunities for entrepreneurs interested in producing and selling cannabis and cannabis products. CorpNet is...

Cannabis Products at Dispensary

LLC’s: Best Biz Structure to House Multiple Properties

With any property, there are inherent liabilities — from a broken balcony railing to old electrical wiring or mold. The LLC forms a wall that shields individual owners from personal liability. If sued by a tenant or guest, the defendant is the LLC, not you. And the judgment can be collected only from the LLC's assets, and not from your own personal assets.

Mini Houses on Stacks of Coins

10 Ways to Take Care of Your Kids and Your Business This Summer

School’s out! Chances are your kids are celebrating right now because weeks of summer vacation beckon. But, if you’re starting a business or running a business, and you have school-aged children, you’re likely feeling a little conflicted. Entrepreneurs like me, and...

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Virtual Companies and Nexus: What Small Businesses Need to Know

Over the last two years, many businesses have chosen to go virtual, either temporarily or on a permanent basis. But that decision can impact the business’s nexus status. Companies with remote employees in other states may also need to register for foreign...

Virtual Employee on Conference Call

Does Being an LLC or Corporation Help Build Business Credit?

Establishing healthy business credit is essential to ensure a company can thrive and grow. If an entrepreneur doesn’t take measures to establish credit in their business name, they may miss out on opportunities and even pay more than they have to for goods and...

Credit Report on Desk

LLC vs. PLLC: Which Structure is Right for Your Business?

Choosing the appropriate business structure for your company is complicated. For attorneys, physicians, accountants, architects, and some other licensed professionals, there are extra factors to consider. Professionals who want liability protection and flexibility...

Businesswoman with question mark

What is the Role of an Incorporator?

Starting a new C Corporation can be complicated and entails several legal, administrative, and administrative steps. Whether you’re starting the business on your own, with a partner, as part of a team, or converting your current business structure to a corporation,...

Businessman Working at Desk and Talking on the Phone

Michigan Annual Report Filing for LLCs and Corporations

The state of Michigan requires all business owners of limited liability companies (LLC) and corporations to file an annual report. An annual report is a filing that helps ensure the state's records about a business entity are accurate. Michigan has specific due...

Michigan State Flag

Does a Real Estate Agent Need an LLC?

Real estate agents, just like other self-employed professionals and independent contractors, should consider how to safeguard their personal assets from business-related liabilities. As a real estate agent, you may wonder if you need an LLC to get that level of...

Real Estate Agent Talking on Phone in Front of For Sale Sign

Understanding the Various Types of Nonprofits

What Is a Nonprofit? A nonprofit organization is created to fulfill a charitable, civic, religious, scientific, literary, or educational goal. Nonprofits do not have private owners, nor do they issue stock or pay dividends to shareholders. Aside from founders or...

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Basic Tips for Building Business Credit

A business entity can have its own business credit record and score. Lenders, suppliers, vendors, and even potential customers might check a company’s credit score (which is publicly available) before providing funding or doing business with the company. Business...

Credit Card Close Up

Trademarks vs. Copyrights vs. Patents

From your company logo to your trade secrets, your business’s intellectual property has value. That’s why it’s important to take measures to protect it. What are the various types of intellectual property and how can business owners’ safeguard them?  Here’s a...

Trademark and Copyright Icons in Vending Machine

How to Protect Your Brand with Trademarks

If you’ve incorporated your business or formed a limited liability company, you’ve taken critical first steps toward building a successful business. When registering your business, you’ve protected your company name from being used by competitors in the state the...

Registered Trademark Stamp

What is the Role of an LLC Organizer?

Starting a new Limited Liability Company (LLC) can be complex, entailing several legal, administrative, and organizational steps. Whether you’re starting the business on your own, with a partner, as part of a team, or converting your current business structure to...

Woman Working at Desk on Computer

How to Apply for an EIN if You’re Not a United States Citizen

An EIN (Employer Identification Number), also known as Federal Tax ID Number, is a 9-digit number issued by the IRS that the United States federal government uses to identify a business for tax purposes. Every business with employees or registered in the U.S. as a...

EIN Application

How to Get Certified as a Women or Minority-Owned Small Business

Small business certification comes in many forms and offers incredible opportunities for business owners to work with and compete with larger businesses for contracts. Federal government agencies and many state and local governments must set aside a percentage of...

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