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How to Start a Consulting Business

If you have a high level of proficiency, expertise, and experience in a field, you may have thought about how to start a consulting business. Starting a consulting business can be a wonderful career option for individuals who want to leverage their knowledge and...

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Breaking Down Business Entity Types

One of the most important steps you’ll need to make when starting your business is reviewing business entity types and deciding which one you should choose for your company. The structure you pick will affect your business from legal and tax obligation standpoints....

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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 Much Do Small Business Owners Really Make?

We all dream of having our own business, being the boss, and controlling our own destiny. I can assure you the dream is indeed possible. But will that dream, and future success be enough? How much do small business owners really make per year? And will it be enough...

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How to Manage Payroll for Restaurants

Maintaining an exceptional staff reigns as one of the essential ingredients for a successful restaurant. With hiring that staff, comes payroll responsibilities and complying with all related federal, state, and local employment and tax laws. Payroll for restaurants...

Restaurant Owner Working on Laptop

10 Tips to Making Startup Funding Work for You

Whether you plan to create a crowdfunding campaign, pitch venture capitalists or investors, take out a small business loan, or use your own savings, there are strategies to succeed in your efforts. Here we have 10 tips guaranteed to make your startup funding a success.

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When’s the Best Time of Year to Form an LLC?

Have you been thinking of launching a new business or changing your existing Sole Proprietorship to a formal business entity type like a Limited Liability Company, S Corporation, or C Corporation? Are you concerned that you might not be selecting the best time of...

Calendar and Clock

Is Your Business in Compliance? Seven Questions to Ask Yourself

Maintaining a C Corporation or Limited Liability Company (LLC) is an ongoing process that requires constant attention. Unfortunately, most small business owners don’t know what they don’t know and busy entrepreneurs often find it tough to carve out time to research...

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Business Closures, Dissolutions, and Withdrawals

It has been a rough few years for businesses across the country, but especially so for small businesses. From COVID-19 to inflation, companies of all sizes have had to close some or many of their locations. Whether you’ve had to close down entirely or shutter...

Closed Sign on Business Window

Don’t Be Nervous About Your Annual Business Review!

It's already November and we are rapidly approaching year's end. This means the time has come for an annual business review. What is an annual business review? You might think this is the annual report  C Corporations and Limited Liability Companies (LLC) must file...

Year End Review Written on Pad

How to Start a Business in Wisconsin

If you're considering starting a new business in Wisconsin, there are a lot of reasons why this is a great option. Wisconsin offers a robust business ecosystem with a skilled workforce, business-friendly policies, and a central location in the U.S. It provides a...

Wisconsin Welcome Sign

A Guide to Small Business Taxes

No matter the type of business you operate, taxes are among the expenses you must anticipate and budget for. While not the most pleasant aspect of running a company, business taxes require an entrepreneur’s attention and follow-through because penalties exist for...

Illustration of Business Man With Calculator

How to Appoint a Registered Agent

Appointing a registered agent for your business entity isn’t terribly difficult, but it does require a little effort on your part. Whether you’re starting a brand new business and need to designate a registered agent for the first time or you want to change your...

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What Is an Agent for Service of Process?

An agent for service of process is an individual or business that accepts important legal and government notices on behalf of an LLC or Corporation. More commonly known as a registered agent, designating an agent for service of process is a requirement for LLCs,...

Man Receiving Mail

What Is Form 1023?

Filing formation paperwork with the state is just one step required to start a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Federal income tax exempt status isn’t automatic. A nonprofit must file Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section...

Man Completing Form 1023

How to Start a Freelance Business

Starting a freelance business can put you on a path that leads to autonomy, creative freedom, and the opportunity to shape your professional destiny. Freelancing is not much different than building a small business, however, as a freelancer you work for yourself...

Male Freelancer Working in Coffee Shop

What Is a DUNS Number and How Do You Get One?

A Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) D-U-N-S® Number is a unique nine-digit number assigned to a company to help potential lenders, partners, and suppliers assess the business’s stability, creditworthiness, and other qualities. Having a DUNS Number can help a company...

duns number

Can You Get a Startup Loan for Your Small Business?

Starting a small business is exciting, but that alone is not enough. Achieving your goals will often require a long list of needs with money being at the top of that list. While most startups are self-funded, many entrepreneurs want and need a small business loan....

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What Is FICA?

Business owners who hire employees must withhold, deposit, report, and pay Social Security and Medicare taxes per the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). FICA taxes are applied to all of an employee’s taxable compensation, which includes salary, wages,...

FICA Illustration

Fall Tips To Help Your Business Have A Strong End-Of-Year Finish

Although most of the year has already passed and we’re now into the autumn season, don’t panic if your business has fallen a little bit behind on its goals. It’s not too late to make changes that can help lead to a strong finish in 2023. Whether you’ve just started...

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How to Sell Your Business Idea to Investors

Whether you’re in the early stages of a startup or looking to scale your existing business, the one hurdle many small business owners face is obtaining funding. While entrepreneurs in some industries may have an easier time, typically, it is challenging to sell...

Two Men Pitching Inventors in Offic

How Do I Maintain a Business?

After a business is up and running, it's critical to maintain it by fulfilling all of the required business compliance tasks on time. Of course, businesses grow and evolve over time, and therefore, the actions they must take to maintain a business entity also may...

Maintenance Robot

What is a Registered Office?

You'll likely encounter some unfamiliar terms when forming and managing your business. One phrase is a registered office, which refers to the physical address where a company receives service of process, which are legal documents and government notices that need...

Office Building

Can an LLC Owner File for Unemployment?

Can an LLC owner file for unemployment? The quick answer is yes, but not in every situation. There are advantages to owning a Limited Liability Company (LLC), with tax flexibility, serving as one of the major benefits. How you elect to structure your LLC for tax...

Unemployment Benefits Form

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

How to Withdraw Money From an LLC

How does a Limited Liability Company (LLC) owner withdraw money from their business? Whether these funds are for personal use or it is considered compensation from the LLC, how they may do that depends on three things: Whether the Limited Liability Company is a...

ATM Withdrawal of Cash

Checklist for Launching a New Business in Indiana

Launching a new business in Indiana can be a smart move due to the state’s favorable business environment. Characterized by relatively low corporate taxes, reasonable regulatory requirements, and a comparatively affordable cost of living, Indiana’s central location...

Downtown Indianapolis Indiana at Night

What Is IRS Form 2553?

IRS Form 2553 (Election by a Small Business Corporation) is the form that a corporation (or other entity eligible to be treated as a corporation) files to be treated as an S corporation for federal tax purposes. The IRS has specific criteria that entities must meet...

IRS 2553 Form

A Guide for Starting a Business in Colorado

Colorado’s economy is just as varied and unique as its people and landscape. Tourists flock from around the world to experience Colorado’s scenery, recreational adventures, and cultural activities. In addition, Colorado has a long successful history of ranching,...

Colorado Skyline With Mountain Backdrop

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