Nellie Akalp

A pioneer in the online legal document filing space since 1997, Nellie has helped more than half a million small businesses and licensed professionals start and maintain companies across the United States, most recently through her Inc.5000 recognized company, CorpNet. She closely follows trends in the industry and shares her wealth of knowledge across various CPA and small business communities, establishing Nellie as one of the most prominent influential experts on business startup and compliance matters.

What Is an Executor of an LLC?

An LLC executor is a designated person or business entity that an LLC’s members appoint to handle certain legal and tax-related aspects of their business at various stages of its existence. An executor might assist LLC members through the business formation...

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A Guide for Starting a Business in Maryland

Maryland’s strategic location on the east coast of the U.S. is within easy reach of major metropolitan cities like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City. This proximity can give your business access to a large customer base and supply chain...

Baltimore Maryland Downtown

Why Small Businesses Fail

Owning a small business is the American dream. But sometimes, despite all the hard work, that dream turns into a nightmare and businesses don’t make it. Understanding why small businesses fail can be as crucial as knowing the secrets of those that succeed. Being...

Man Looking Out Window in Empty Office

What Is a Certificate of Formation?

If you’re considering starting a business as a Limited Liability Company (LLC), you’ll want to become familiar with the term “Certificate of Formation.” Sometimes called Articles of Organization or Certificate of Organization, a Certificate of Formation is the...

Illustration of a Man Signing a Certificate

Back to School, Back to Your Business

With autumn approaching, many entrepreneurs and other professionals with school-age children face a double dose of challenges. Back to school brings break-neck fall schedules packed with events and extracurricular activities that demand parents’ time. And as kids...

Welcome back to school sign

What Is an Agent for Service of Process?

An agent for service of process is an individual or business that accepts important legal and government notices on behalf of an LLC or Corporation. More commonly known as a registered agent, designating an agent for service of process is a requirement for LLCs,...

Man Receiving Mail

How to Proactively Manage Small Business Compliance

Besides going through all the proper steps to set up a business, understanding and following through with ongoing compliance requirements is immensely important. I regularly address small business compliance considerations in my writings on the CorpNet blog and...

Woman With Clock and Flying Paperwork

Registered Agent Options for Non-Citizens

If you’re a foreign entrepreneur wishing to start a business in the United States, I expect you may have many questions about the process. Non-citizens can own a U.S-based Limited Liability Company (LLC) or C Corporation, and like U.S. residents, non-resident...

Woman Smiling at Desk

How to Appoint a Registered Agent

Appointing a registered agent for your business entity isn’t terribly difficult, but it does require a little effort on your part. Whether you’re starting a brand new business and need to designate a registered agent for the first time or you want to change your...

Woman in Business Suit talking on Phone

What is a Corporate Resolution?

A corporate resolution is a formal record of a corporation's board of directors' decisions and actions on behalf of the company. States require incorporated companies to use corporate resolutions for recording major business decisions. The company's board of directors must vote to approve resolutions either during board meetings or in writing. 

Older Businessman Reading Document

Should I Be My Own Registered Agent?

The owner of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Corporation might consider being their own registered agent since it eliminates the cost of contracting another party to accept service of process and other official notifications on the business’s behalf. However,...

Legal Documents Illustration

A Guide for Starting a Business in Michigan

If you’ve been thinking about starting a business in Michigan, you're in good company. With plentiful resources, incentives, and loans, Michigan is home to 902,000 small businesses that represent 48.3 % of the state's workers. Michigan offers one of the best...

Aerial view of downtown Detroit at twilight

What is a BOC-3 Process Agent?

The BOC-3 federal filing designates process agents to accept legal documents on behalf of transportation companies. The process agent company must list the process agents in all other states where the company conducts business.

Truck and highway at sunset - transportation background

What Is a Registered Agent?

Many business owners will ask themselves what is a registered agent and then question if they really need one. The answer to both questions is yes! A registered agent is a person or company with the authority to accept service of process (legal documents and...

Business woman leaning on binders at desk

Time is Running Out on $1 LLC and DBA Filing in Colorado

Since July 1, 2022, the filing fees required to be paid for the registration of new businesses within Colorado have been reduced to $1. This savings includes the formation of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and initial tradename registrations (DBAs). Colorado...

Save Money in Colorado

What is a Registered Office?

You'll likely encounter some unfamiliar terms when forming and managing your business. One phrase is a registered office, which refers to the physical address where a company receives service of process, which are legal documents and government notices that need...

Office Building

What Is LLC Service of Process?

When someone sues an LLC, the procedure of delivering the legal paperwork that initiates the lawsuit and allows it to proceed is referred to as service of process. Service of process notifies the LLC of the lawsuit, and it establishes that the court hearing the...

Man Being Served Papers

Tax Saving Features of Corporations, S Corporations, and LLCs

I regularly speak to business owners about entity types and their potential impact from a tax perspective. A while back, I created a webinar for accountants (and other professional services providers that work with businesses) on the topic of business structures...

Man Cutting Tax With Scissors

10 Ways to Promote Your New Business

Excited to start your new business in the coming year? Whether you’re forming your company as a sole proprietorship or a Limited Liability Company (LLC), promoting a new business takes strategizing and fresh ideas. Otherwise, it’s challenging to get your new...

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