Establishing a business in California
There are many resources available for the self-starter-styled entrepreneur when establishing a business in California. There are also many pitfalls and headaches which can be created when going into this process without good due diligence and somewhat naively.
Form a Business in California (formation services)
Creating the right business entity for your current and future growth is the first step. You should make it a good one. At Incorporation Attorney we specialize in helping small entrepreneurs navigate the many decisions needed. Call us at +1 (714) 634-4838 to get started on the right footing.
Establishing a Business in California – Potential Decisions and Actions
- Choosing the Right Corporate Name
- Researching and Planning
- Getting Business Assistance & Training
- Choosing a Location
- Financing Your Business
- Choosing a Business Structure (Entity)
- Prepare and File Articles of Incorporation
- Appoint a Registered Agent
- Set Up a Corporate Records Book
- Prepare Corporate Bylaws
- Appoint Initial Corporate Directors
- Hold Your First Board of Directors Meeting
- Issue Stock
- Comply with California Tax Requirements
- Choosing a Fictitious Business Name
- Registering for Taxes
- Registering for Permits
- HR Assistance and Staffing
These and many other decisions and responsibilities that may apply to you should depend upon the type of business structure right for your venture. When you work with an experienced small business attorney you can navigate the process with relative ease and feel confident you are making optimal decisions that will help you create a successful company.
Primary Business Entity Options
Andrew Gale on Business Entity Choices & Benefits When Establishing a Business in California
- Form a Corporation – Incorporate
- Form an LLC
- Form an S Corp
- Form a C Corporation
- Form a Professional Corporation
Related Articles
- Should I form a corporation or a Limited Liability Company
- Should I be a C Corporation or an S corporation?
- Should I be a Professional Corporation?
- What is a Benefit Corporation (B Corp)?
Deciding the Right Type of Legal Business Entity Structure
It can be challenging, even daunting, to decide the ideal legal business entity structure for your business. It is important to understand that it is, in fact, a key decision with legal implications to how you must run your business from then on.
Get this wrong and you potentially open yourself up to significant business risks downstream. What you decide will affect how you conduct your business, how you hold meetings, and indeed what must be done in those meetings.
Cutting Costs – Business Entity Structures Have Legal Implications
There are significant differences in personal liability and in how you must conduct yourself with other owners and stakeholders in the company.
It is unfortunate that a lot of entrepreneurs take shortcuts through this process, jumping into a particular entity structure with only a superficial understanding of the implications.
They do this, of course, in an attempt to cut costs and save time early in their venture.
To Begin With, There is Little Consequence to Taking This Shortcut
However assuming your business grows, the ramifications of this choice can cause all kinds of problems and constraints downstream.
I liken it to deciding on a mode of transport without a good understanding of the limitations and requirements of the vehicle.
For example, and taking the analogy to an extreme, choosing a bicycle courier might work well to get a parcel a few blocks across downtown Los Angeles, but it may not be ideal to get 1,000 parcels the same distance. The constraint is that once you pick your mode of transport, you are stuck with it.
Business Entity Structures Have Legal Implications
Choosing a business entity is like that but the constraints often have legal implications. Working with a trained legal professional, a “business lawyer“, is simply the sensible thing to do.
Our advice is, “don’t cut corners with the process of setting your business up on a solid legal foundation.”
Incorporation Attorneys Don’t Just “Incorporate” Businesses
We work with entrepreneurs and business owners to help them set up the optimal business entity for their business venture.
To that end, this page is intended to provide you with a general understanding of your options, i.e. the different types of business entity choices available and their natures.
Incorporation Attorneys Business Entity Programs and Services
Incorporation Attorneys have various programs at highly competitive rates that enable existing small businesses and start-ups to engage and get professional assistance through this critical step.
Call Incorporation Attorneys +1 (714) 634-4838 today and set up an initial no-cost no-obligation meeting to discuss your business needs.
Related articles: The Tax Implications of Your Business Entity Structure
