Archive for the ‘Maintaining a Corporation or LLC’ Category

Starting a New Business? It’s in your Brand.

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Starting a new business and growing an existing business require diligence and perseverance.  An ongoing attention to acquiring new customers, building a brand and getting your business “out there” are required.  It’s not easy to stay on top of everything, but without a brand and customers who will recognize and purchase based upon brand recognition and trust, it is difficult to continue to grow a business.

Logos and brands are a great way to gain recognition for your product or service.  Building a brand often equates with building awareness and trust of your products or services.  That’s why finding the right brand to represent your business is important.  It’s important that customers can understand from your logo or brand name what your business is and what it stands for.  Some businesses have a word that represents their brand.  Some businesses choose a stylized way of representing their brand.  Many have a slogan.  Ours is “Entrepreneurs Welcome”, for example.

Whatever it is that makes your business your business, it’s important that it represents what your business does and what it stands for – enabling your customers to recall, use and then recommend your products or services. Ultimately, that is how a business can grow.  Sometimes a brand or logo develop over time; sometimes it is developed before the business even gets off the ground.

If you need help developing your logo, our friends and partners and LogoDesignGuru are happy to help (see the offer to the right). Also, MyCorporation offers trademark searches and registrations that will protect your logo throughout the United States – a great way to protect the intellectual property your business has developed.

Wishing you and your business continued success!

Business Highlight: Dr. James Aylor

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Our Chance to Share Some of Our Great Customer Stories…

Camarillo Springs Holistic Health Center

With all the stress of environmental toxins and physical injury it’s no wonder that many people spend most of their day in pain or discomfort. As an answer to that problem, Camarillo Springs Holistic Health Center has developed a state of the art health care center where treatment is available from experienced and highly respected physicians.

Co-owner, Dr. James Aylor began his chiropractic practice in 1979 in the Hollywood Beach area of Oxnard. In 1996, Dr. Aylor joined forces with Dr. Arnold Bresky to offer additional services to patients. The main focus of Camarillo Springs Holistic Health Center is to help people learn how to take care of their bodies holistically to prevent disease rather than waiting to get the disease and then spend all their time chasing symptoms. Camarillo Springs Holistic Health Center’s philosophy is to give the proper treatment and nutritional therapies, to enable the body to heal itself.

Business tip: Keep watch on expenses. Especially in a down economy, every day expenses can creep up on a business, and it’s critical that while growing revenue, expenses must be watched and managed.

Thinking About Next Tax Season

Sunday, April 18th, 2010

Now that taxes are done for 2009, you may want to just put it all behind you and not worry about it again until next year.  However, tax savings are a year-round opportunity.  Businesses should work to maximize tax savings all year long so that next tax season is a good one.

There’s no time like the present to think about saving on taxes. Business tax deductions you should consider include the following:

  • Auto expenses
  • Expenses of going into business
  • Education expenses related to business or trade
  • Legal & professional fees
  • Business entertaining & travel
  • New equipment & software

The IRS states that any “ordinary and necessary” business expenses can be subtracted from your business income prior to being to taxed. The general rule is that as long as the expense is made for business (not personal) purposes, you can deduct it from your business income.

To ensure that you don’t miss large deductions that could save you a great deal of money, it is wise to consult with an income tax professional.  If you require professional assistance, we’re pleased to connect you with our network of professionals.  Click here to submit your request and you will be connected with CPAs in your area.

New Businesses Need Guidance

Saturday, April 17th, 2010

It’s not easy to start a new business. Navigating business law, formalizing your business structure with the Secretary of State, opening a new bank account, getting loans, and hiring can be complicated.

Did you know that after registering a business several filings may be required on an annual basis? Furthermore, there are tax deadlines that must be met in association with corporate entities. MyCorporation can help with MyIncGuard®.

MyIncGuard sends monthly reminders about annual reports, quarterly tax returns, year-end notices, and much more! For a limited time, you will also receive a FREE electronic version of the NOLO Corporate Handbook, providing forms and instructions to operate a valid business. In addition, you’ll receive many sample employment and business-related documents for use throughout your business lifecycle.

Sign up today and help ensure your business stays in compliance with state and federal requirements. Click here to find out more.

Is my Corporate/LLC Name Protected?

Monday, April 12th, 2010

Customers often inquire whether the reservation and filing of a corporation protects the name of the business. While it may protect the business name with the Secretary of State in the state where the corporation or LLC is filed, it does not necessarily protect the name as a trademark.

Trademarks can include any words, phrases, symbols or designs that identify and distinguish the source of the goods. There are numerous advantages to securing federal registration of a trademark. Perhaps the most important advantage is that federally registered trademarks are national in scope, regardless of the actual geographic use of the mark. Hence, trademark protection will protect your business name, which is distinct from filing for a corporation or LLC with the Secretary of State.

To find out more about trademark registration and the advantages of trademark protection, click here.