Blog

Jake Lawson here. Nebraska’s agricultural heritage and strong work ethic create a business culture that values handshake deals and personal relationships. But after 15+ years helping entrepreneurs across the Great Plains, I’ve learned that Nebraska’s trust-based culture can create dangerous blind spots around business liability. Like farming without crop insurance—what looks like saving money can … Read more

Jake Lawson here. After 15+ years evaluating business formation services, I’ve learned that fancy software and compliance automation can mask fundamental service problems. Harbor Compliance positions itself as a high-tech solution for business compliance, but after extensive testing, I’ve found that their sophisticated tools come with significant drawbacks that most entrepreneurs don’t discover until after … Read more

Jake Lawson here. After 15+ years evaluating LLC formation services for my clients, I’ve tested dozens of providers across the spectrum. MyLLC represents the old guard of business formation—they’ve been around since 1998, they wrote “LLCs for Dummies,” and they’ve formed thousands of businesses. But longevity doesn’t always equal excellence in today’s competitive market. Here’s … Read more

By Jake Lawson | Updated January 2025 My honest take after testing Inc Authority: Their “free” LLC formation sounds amazing until you realize what’s actually included and what you’ll pay for later. After personally walking through their entire process and analyzing their business model, I can tell you exactly what you’re getting – and what … Read more

Jake Lawson here. After 15+ years helping entrepreneurs structure their businesses, one of the most common questions I get is: “Who can actually own my LLC?” The short answer: almost anyone or anything. The longer answer involves some strategic considerations that can save you thousands in taxes and protect your business for decades. Let me … Read more

By Jake Lawson | Updated January 2025 Here’s what most people get wrong: They think they need to register as a Foreign LLC in every state where they have customers. That’s not true, and it could cost you thousands of dollars unnecessarily. After helping 1,200+ entrepreneurs navigate multi-state business operations, I’ve seen countless situations where … Read more

By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist Every week, I get calls from confused entrepreneurs asking variations of this question: “Jake, I want to form an LLC in Delaware, but I live in Texas. Does that make me a foreign LLC owner?” My response: “You’re confusing two completely different concepts. The word ‘foreign’ in LLC terminology … Read more

By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist Here’s a question I get weekly: “Jake, I’ve got three different business ideas I want to pursue. Can I just run them all under one LLC to save money?” My response usually depends on what those businesses are. If you’re talking about running a food blog, selling custom t-shirts, … Read more

Jake Lawson here. In 15+ years helping professionals structure their businesses, I’ve watched countless doctors, lawyers, accountants, and other licensed professionals make costly mistakes with their business entities. Professional LLCs (PLLCs) are often required for licensed professionals, but most don’t understand what they’re getting—or missing. Think of it as specialized armor for specialized risks. A … Read more

By Jake Lawson | Updated January 2025 Here’s my straight talk: I’ll walk you through exactly how to start a Sole Proprietorship in Montana, but I’m also going to explain why it’s probably not your best choice – especially in a state where LLCs cost only $35. After helping 1,200+ entrepreneurs launch businesses across all … Read more