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.

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

4 Must-Have LLC Documents

If you’re considering forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC), you’re likely drawn to the business structure because it provides personal liability protection for the business owner, the simplicity of pass-through tax status, and ease of administration thanks to...

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

What are Articles of Organization?

Have you decided to operate your business as a Limited Liability Company (LLC)? If you answered yes, you must comply with your state's requirements for registering your company. Those responsibilities include filing an Articles of Organization (sometimes called a...

Legal Documents Illustration

Your Complete Guide to Starting a Business in New Mexico

With the 5th lowest labor costs in the country, according to the newest WalletHub study, the “Land of Enchantment” state boasts a thriving small business community. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), 99% of all businesses in New Mexico are small...

New Mexico Skyline

The Alabama Business Start Up Guide

With a relatively low tax burden and low cost of labor, Alabama is the 14th fastest-growing state in the United States. It's becoming the sweetheart state for business start-ups. If you’ve been thinking about forming a business in Alabama, here is a comprehensive...

Welcome to Sweet Home Alabama Sign

11 Businesses to Start With $10K

Many entrepreneurs begin successful companies without piles of money in the bank. In fact, some businesses can get off the ground with $10K or less. So, if you’re dreaming of being your own boss but have limited funds, keep your chin up! In this article, I’ll touch...

Man Walking a Group of Dogs

The Ultimate Checklist for Starting a Business in New York

New York is a great place to start a business and begin your journey of entrepreneurship. This article will walk you through the many things business owners should know and address to get their new businesses up and running.

New York Skyline Against Water

Do I Need an LLC to Freelance?

Do freelancers need an LLC? That’s a question many solo professionals ask as they start and grow their small businesses. While freelancers aren’t legally obligated to form a Limited Liability Company, doing so offers some advantages over operating as a Sole...

Male Freelancer Working Remotely

How to Choose the Best State to Incorporate a Business

Besides the questions of when and how to start a company, many entrepreneurs want to know where to incorporate a business. Each state has its own business laws and tax codes, so deciding where to form an LLC or a corporation should not be taken lightly. I recently...

US Map of States With Connecting Dots

How to Start a Tutoring Business

Wondering how to start a tutoring business? This step-by-step guide will help you through the planning and launch process.

Female Tutor Working With Male Student

How to Start a Dropshipping Business

It's estimated that a third or more of e-commerce brands use dropshipping as a way to provide products to customers. If you've been thinking about starting an online store but don't want to deal with the costs and hassle of maintaining inventory, you may find the...

Dropship Concept Illustration

How to Start a Trucking Business

If you’ve always wanted to start a trucking business, now could be the perfect time to put your plan into action. The trucking industry has had an immense impact on the U.S. economy. According to American Trucking Association, 71% of the freight tonnage moved in...

Truck and highway at sunset - transportation background

How to Start a Business as a Kid or Teen

Starting a business as a kid or teen is exciting! With it, comes an opportunity to learn life-long skills that will help you become a successful adult. And, of course, there's the money you can earn! But how do you start a business as a kid or teen? Well,...

Four Kids Selling Lemonade

How to Legally Start an eCommerce Business

If you have been considering starting an eCommerce business, you’re exploring an industry with a promising outlook. The last few years have forced many people to buy products online and this new way of shopping isn't going away anytime soon. In today's article,...

Woman Shipping Product for Online Store

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