Jake Lawson By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist LegalZoom. The name you’ve heard in countless TV commercials, the brand your neighbor mentioned when they started their business, the company that promises to make LLC formation “simple and affordable.” But here’s what 15+ years of testing formation services has taught me: brand recognition doesn’t equal value, and LegalZoom … Read more
By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist IncFile rebranded to “Bizee” in 2023, but it’s the same company with the same services. After using them for 40+ client LLC formations over the past 5 years, I’m going to give you my honest assessment: they’re decent, but not great. Here’s the bottom line: IncFile/Bizee works fine for … Read more
Jake Lawson here. I’ve been testing LLC formation services for over 15 years, and InCorp Services is one of those companies that does things differently—not always in a good way. They’ve been around since 1998 and focus primarily on registered agent services, treating LLC formation as a secondary offering. After thoroughly testing their service, here’s … Read more
Jake Lawson here. Airbnb arbitrage has exploded over the past few years, and with it, a flood of questions about LLC formation strategy. I’ve helped hundreds of short-term rental entrepreneurs structure their businesses properly, and the answer isn’t as simple as “just form an LLC where you live.” Let me walk you through the real … Read more
Jake Lawson here. When forming your LLC, you’ll face a choice that sounds more complicated than it actually is: member-managed or manager-managed? After helping over 1,200 entrepreneurs through this decision, I can tell you that 90% of small businesses should choose member-managed—and I’ll explain exactly why. But first, let me break down what this actually … Read more
By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist Kentucky entrepreneurs are known for being straight shooters, so let me give it to you straight: most registered agent services are overpriced middlemen selling you what amounts to a glorified mailing service. After testing every major registered agent provider for 15+ years and helping 1,200+ business owners navigate this … Read more
Jake Lawson here. I’ve seen too many LLC owners get tangled up in management structure decisions that don’t really matter for their situation. Before we dive into manager-managed LLCs, let me give you the bottom line: most small businesses should stick with member-managed structures. But there are legitimate cases where manager-managed makes perfect sense—let me … Read more
By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist Choosing a registered agent feels like a small decision, but I’ve seen it become a major headache for entrepreneurs who pick wrong. After helping over 1,200 businesses select registered agents—and dealing with the fallout when things go badly—I’m going to give you the straight truth about what works and … Read more
Jake Lawson here. This question hits my inbox at least twice a week, usually from real estate investors trying to optimize their setup. The short answer? Absolutely, your LLC can own property anywhere in the country. But as with most things in business formation, the devil’s in the details. Let me walk you through everything … Read more
By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist New Jersey gets a bad rap for being “business-unfriendly,” but after helping over 180 entrepreneurs launch Garden State businesses, I can tell you that’s mostly nonsense. Yes, taxes are higher than some states. Yes, regulations can be complex. But New Jersey offers incredible market access, educated workforce, and strategic … Read more