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 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...

OPen-Sign-in-Business-Window

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

Subscribe to Newsletter

Practical business and financial insights, lessons, perspectives, and know-how brought right to your inbox.

Thank you for subscribing!

100% satisfaction guaranteed or we will refund 100% of our service fees with no questions asked!