Starting A Small Business

tips, ideas, any problems you may have run into when starting your own business? it's a transport/valet type service. i have never seen any like it. there is a tremendous need here and it can be called a "green" company/service.

i've been using legalzoom but would appreciate any of your advice

What State?
Do you have Partners? 1 Owner?


I would start an L.L.C. which is a Limited Liability Company
I am in Arizona the laws vary from state to state but an L.L.C. is in most cases the best business entity to start.

Ohh I would not use Legal zoom... Most documents are free or ALOT cheap if you go to the right office and file the paperwork yourself....

hey phxfire, i am in fla, no partners, just me and mrs sunnyboy. thanks for the tip on legalzoom. i am waiting for a call back regarding insurance and local codes. mrs sunnyboy opened a company about 20 years ago and she said she had to take out a classified ad in a newspaper, something like a DBA in order to protect the company name and service from being taken? you know what that's all about?

LLC. You can file this yourself. Fuck legal zoom. Basically you need to get the LLC through with the state- check with the corporation commission. Then you can get your federal ein once it is completed. If you have to charge tax you need to also file for a transaction privilege tax license with he state, county and city depending where you live. Do it. I could never go back to the real world

God i hear ya there johy, i am an escapee from corp america, i have the daggers still in my back. what i am doing will be on the beach all day oh yeah...i am thinking of just working for "tips" and not charging for the service to avoid some of the tax pitfalls. i just am not sure which way to go. i am researching this stuff as we speak as it's the season, so to speak, here to make money off of snow birds, and no it's not a hot dog cart LOL although that would rock

If you are providing a service it is not taxable for personal taxes you will not do payroll. You will be taxed on the income of the business so you and the LLC (single member) are basically one in the same. Beach sounds fantastic! That will get those daggers out. Good luck!

thanks johny

Absolutely! We need more small businesses!