ForumsStarting a Business

You need to speak with an attorney and CPA to get the correct answer to your question.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The correct soution for YOU depends on YOUR needs
and circumstances.

The last 2 posts have been spot on, the best you can do is research and find what best works for you, contact an accountant if you have more detailed questions or feel overwhelmed. When we opened our cigar store (also a small, personally run business), we choose an llc for to multiple reasons, mainly the protection of personal assets, accessibility of profits and tax setup. However, that decision was not made lightly, it was done with much thought, advice from trusted sources and research with my states secretary of state office. I would strongly advise the same.

This absolutely depends on your specific circumstances. Beware of the do-it-yourself approach that's widely available online. So many of my clients have had to expend extra time and money to fix the problems that would have been a lot cheaper to avoid in the first place by thinking through this type of issue more carefully. See http://riversidesoapbox.wordpress.com/2009/08/21/lets-start-with-the-lawyers/ for more of my thoughts on this very issue. Best of luck.

Andrew Levinson
Managing Director
Riverside Strategic Advisors LLC

Online Retail Business is a good option for entrepreneurs
with minimal capital to invest up front. Retailing is one of the
fastest-growing segments of the economy. E-commerce is becoming a major
driver of growth in the current retail environment. More than ever, retailers
depend on the online channel to grow their top line.