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.

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...

Kids Swimming in Pool

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...

Foundation Sign Behind Business Woman Speaking

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...

Business Women

What Business Owners Need to Know About Filing Taxes in 2022

Tax season is right around the corner. A lot has changed, tax-wise, in the past year due to new legislation. Here’s a quick look at what business owners need to know about filing their taxes in 2022. Sole Proprietorship Sole proprietors are unincorporated...

Stack of US Tax Forms

Do I Need a New EIN?

If you already have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for your business but have recently made some changes, you may be wondering if you need a new EIN. Because EINs are used for reporting certain taxes (such as payroll and excise taxes), it’s essential to...

Employer Identification Number (EIN) written on legal document

Registered Business Name vs. Trademark

One of the first decisions new entrepreneurs make is “What should I name my business?” A lot of brand equity gets built around a business name, so it’s essential to protect that valuable marketing asset. During a presentation to accounting professionals, I...

Woman With Two Thought Bubbles, One With Business Name and One With Trademark

Expanding a Small Business to Another State: What You Need to Know

Extending your small business’s presence across state lines can help your company reach new markets, grow revenue, and boost profits. But how do you expand a small business into another state? And what’s involved in operating a business in multiple states? There...

US Map of States With Connecting Dots

Should I Incorporate or Form an LLC for My MLM Business?

Also sometimes called network marketing companies, a multilevel marketing company (MLM), offers income opportunities to folks who want to set their own schedule and work at their own pace—without having to build a business from the ground up. Many people who want...

Woman Working at Desk

10 Legal Documents You Must Have to Start a Small Business

If starting a new business is on your 2022 New Year’s resolution list, we’re here to help you begin on the right (and legal) path. Here are 10 must-have legal documents you need to start a new business. 1. Business Plan Technically, a business plan is not a “legal”...

Legal Document

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