Should I have an LLC or DBA?
I get this question ALL the time! Should I form an LLC or DBA?
Being a sole-proprietorship and filing a DBA is the easiest, cheapest and fastest route. In order to become a DBA you must file a form with your local County office and then submit the DBA for publication, which must be published for 4 weeks in a row.
The publication puts others on notice that you are intending to do business under that DBA name. Once the notice has been published and the County receives confirmation of the publication, then you are free to do business.
A DBA is great for a quick way to start your business. However, a DBA doesn’t afford you a ton of personal protection. It acts as an extension of you. So if you don’t have the right protections for your business, this leaves you open for potential claims against you. For example, if you get sued for your business as a DBA the claimant can come after your personal assets.
An LLC, on the other hand, provides a lot more protection BUT it is more...
4 Reasons Why You Need a Terms & Conditions Document On Your Site
REASON #1: LAY DOWN THE LAW FOR YOUR SITE!
A Terms and Conditions (also called Terms of Use or Terms of Service) acts as a legally binding contract between yourself and visitors to your website. This agreement sets the ground rules and guidelines for any visitor to your site.
Any visitor to your site must follow these rules in order to access or use your website.
Why is it important to set the ground rules? Well because it helps prevent any abuses for happening on your site. For example, it prevents visitors from spamming other visitors, making derogatory comments on your blog posts, from hacking into your website or basically any other rule that you see fit for your website.
This gives you the power to ban any visitor from your site if they break any of the rules that you create.
REASON #2: SETS HOW YOU SETTLE DISPUTES
A Terms and Conditions sets the Governing Law for your website.
Okay, this seems boring, right?! Well it’s actually a really important reason to have a...
Why You Shouldn't Have a Delaware LLC
I get this question ALL THE TIME! People who don’t live in Delaware always want to form their LLC in Delaware. Why? Because it’s waaaay cheaper (fees for Delaware LLCs annually cost around $300 compared to $800 in California).
Now before you go run out and form a Delaware LLC, let me explain why you shouldn’t do it (unless, of course you live in Delaware).
WHERE ARE YOU DOING BUSINESS?
The law allows you to file an LLC in the place where you are doing business… BUT with the rise of online entrepreneurs, most people feel as if they are doing business all over the US.
When looking at where you are doing business you need to think about a few things: Where do you pay taxes? Where is your desk or office located? Where is your home located? If the answer to these questions is all the same State, then State is where you are doing business in.
If you are doing business in one state, but open up an LLC in another, then you could be found to be illegally transacting...
How to Legally Protect Your Biz in Difficult Times
During these difficult times, I’ve received SO many messages from clients who are worried about how they can legally postpone their events and retreats, how they deal with clients who are cancelling contracts and what they need in general to legally protect their businesses.
As online entrepreneurs and creatives, it’s so important to support each other in our businesses. As we sit in our homes and practice social distancing, let’s try to remember not to disengage a a creative community. It’s so important to stand true in our missions. Nothing has felt more true for me during this crazy period.
More than ever, now is NOT the time to stop sharing our gifts and offerings. So many people need what we are offering more than ever right now! If you are a health & wellness coach, so many people need to focus on their health right now from home. If you are a business coach, so many people are thinking now more than ever about how to start an online business. If...
COVID-19 Resource List
With all of the frenzy surrounding the Corona Virus, I thought it would be helpful to come up with a list of resources for you all. From activities to entertain you kids to free tech resources, I hope you’ll find this list helpful.
GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
The SBA is offering low interest rate disaster assistance loans for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. You can find all of that information HERE on the Small Business Administration’s website.
The SBA also has a great resource for small business guidance and loan resources. This guide gives you procedures for small businesses and a lot more! You can find that HERE.
TECH RESOURCES
A lot of tech companies are offering free resources such as webinar platforms and free extended trials for their products. Click the company name for the link to their site.
GOOGLE: Google is offering free access to their Hangouts Meet video-conferencing.
CISCO WEBEX: Allows you a free trial for online meetings up to 100...
