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.

How to Find and Compare Registered Agent Service Providers

As a serial entrepreneur with a heart for helping other entrepreneurs, it pains me to see business owners misled by registered agent services providers who offer bargain basement prices. These low-priced registered agents focus on offering the cheapest price...

Checklist on Laptop

What Is a Subsidiary?

The word “subsidiary” gets tossed about a lot in the world of business. But what does it really mean? A subsidiary is a company owned or controlled by another business entity (known as a parent company, holding company, or umbrella company). A parent company might...

Structure Concept of Connected Balls

Can You Use a UPS Store or PO Box for a Registered Agent?

It may seem very appealing to use a UPS store or PO Box for your registered agent, but this comes with a lot of risks. And in some states, this action can result in the closure of your business. Let's walk through what a registered agent is and why opting to use a...

Open PO Box

Articles of Incorporation vs. Articles of Organization

If you're thinking about starting a business, you’ll want to research which business entity type will be most advantageous to you. As you go through that process, you will discover that various documents and filings need to be submitted to the state to form a...

Man Reviewing Documents

How to Legally Start a Food Truck Business

According to IBISWorld, the food truck industry has 25,476 businesses in 2020. Growth in the industry from 2015 to 2020 averaged 8.7%. With the COVID-19 crisis a reality now, arguably, the food truck industry may be better suited than brick-and-mortar restaurants...

Smiling waiter giving order to customers at counter

The What, Why, and How of Incorporating Out-of-State

A lot of entrepreneurs wonder what state should be used to incorporate a new business. Should it be their own state or maybe another state like Delaware or Nevada? There is no easy answer to that question, however, there are definite benefits for some businesses to...

US Map of States With Connecting Dots

A Mid-Year Business Checklist to Get You Back on Track

Tax season is over (for most of us). So, what’s next for business owners and professional advisors with business clients? With so much disruption and distraction this year, you may have fallen behind keeping up with compliance for business licenses, permits, and...

Chalkboard With Licenses Permits Amendments Written on It

How to Start a Restaurant Business

Are you thinking about how to start a restaurant business? Without a doubt, it's an industry that contributes immensely to our economy. According to statistics from the National Restaurant Association, there are over one million restaurant locations in the United...

Friends Eating at a Restaurant

Do You Need an LLC for a Hard Money Loan?

Do you need a register an LLC to obtain a hard money loan for your real estate investment? Let's explore the LLC and hard money loans so you can decide. What is a Limited Liability Company? A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a formal business structure that is...

Money Bag balanced on Scale With House

Sole Proprietorship vs. Partnership

You have much to think about and many questions to answer when starting a business. One of the most fundamental considerations is what type of business structure is right for you. Often, new small businesses choose to operate as a sole proprietorship or general...

Versus Illustration

4 Must-Have LLC Documents

If you’re considering forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC), you’re likely drawn to the business structure because it provides personal liability protection for the business owner, the simplicity of pass-through tax status, and ease of administration thanks to...

LLC Letters Built Out of Cubes

Can an H-1B Visa Holder Start an LLC?

People interpret the American dream differently. For many foreigners, it likely represents an opportunity for prosperity and success. Coming to the United States and starting a business is often the start of that prosperity. The United States government allows...

H1B Visa Close Up

How to Start a Daycare Business

Daycare businesses provide a critical service to working families. Parents and guardians need reliable, responsible childcare services to ensure that their children are well taken care of while adults in the household work hard to earn a living. Before starting a...

Daycare Teacher Reading to Children

What is a Holding Company?

Many business owners operate multiple businesses and there’s a good reason for that. Once you have one business and business structure in place, it’s much easier to get a new business off the ground than if you had to start from scratch each time. At some point in...

Structure Concept of Connected Balls

LLP vs. LLC

When you’re starting a small business that has more than one owner, you and your partner(s) may have concerns about your personal liability risks. If this is the case, it would be wise to compare LLP vs. LLC business structures. Limited liability partnerships (LLP)...

Blocks Balancing on a Scale

How to Legally Start a Nonprofit Business

There is nothing more fulfilling than directing time and energy toward helping others in need. If you're passionate about a cause, you may have wondered how to start a nonprofit business. Some aspects of starting a nonprofit organization are similar to starting a...

Happy volunteer looking at donation box

How to Start an Amazon Business

If you've been intrigued by the flexibility and income potential of selling online, starting an Amazon business is probably at the top of your to-do list. There's no denying Amazon's reach and reputation, which is why so many Americans have a strong pull toward...

woman working sell online in her home

How to Start a Business in West Virginia

A lot of entrepreneurs have decided to start a business in West Virginia and there is good reason. It is centrally located and within an eight-hour drive from major metropolitan areas and it offers some of the country's lowest labor and utility costs. Known as the...

Sunset View of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

How to Find Small Business Grants

Small business owners often ask if they can obtain a grant for their business. The great news is you can. Small business grants range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. Each grant has its own guidelines, requirements, and purposes. Getting a grant doesn’t...

SBA form 1224 Grant / Cooperative Agreement

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