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Business – Page 157 – Reginald Chan

Reginald Chan

Category: Business

  • Practical Tips To Find The Cheapest And Most Reliable LLC Service On The Market

    Practical Tips To Find The Cheapest And Most Reliable LLC Service On The Market

    If you’re experienced and passionate enough about something, then you should certainly consider starting your own business. Running your own business can be a risky proposition, but the right legal structure can help make things easier. A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a popular choice for many entrepreneurs because of its low cost and flexible approach to corporate law. But with so many service providers offering LLCs, how do you know which one is best? LLC’s are a great way to protect your assets, but the expenses that come with them can be steep. That is why it is important to find the cheapest and most reliable LLC service on the market. On that note, check out this article for some practical tips to help you find an affordable option.

    1. Look For a Company That Offers Affordable Rates

    Most business owners are on a tight budget, so the more you can save on LLC costs, the better. LLCs follow state laws and regulations but they also have their own requirements that must be met before forming an LLC. As such, it is important to look into what your state requires before choosing a service provider. Some states may charge extra fees or impose certain limitations for out-of-state businesses to form an LLC. Before signing up with any company offering LLC services, make sure to find out who your (if any) registered agent should be and if there are any penalties for late filings or annual reports in your state. You might get lucky and find some companies that offer discounted LLC rates for out-of-state businesses, as long as they do not have to go through the extra hassle of filing annual reports.

    Find a service that offers help with any state paperwork you might need to file. Many of them will even draft the articles of organization for you so that you can simply sign off on the documents and submit them to your state agency, which, in turn, takes care of publication. This is much faster than going through the entire process alone!

    2. Find Out How Long The Service Has Been in Business

    Unfortunately, there are plenty of fly-by-night businesses offering LLC services online. The problem with this is that these companies may be unreliable or lack experience when it comes to fulfilling their promises. It is important to do a bit of research and find out how long the company you are considering has been in business. If they have been around for a while, then you know that they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Many LLC services offer a free consultation to help sell their service but then charge an arm and a leg once things get rolling. While this may be legal, (some states let companies change their prices at will) it is still something that can cause problems during the formation process if you aren’t prepared or aware of these issues before signing up with any specific provider. Invariably, always read your contracts carefully! 

    3. Ask About Customer Reviews 

    Just like most other types of businesses, it will be up to you to take your organization elsewhere if things go wrong or there are problems. You should try to establish a rapport with one of the representatives working for the company before signing any contracts. This is important because they should be able to answer all your questions and offer more information about their services, which can help you make an informed decision before going ahead with anything from them.

    4. Check for Complaints or Lawsuits Filed 

    When researching almost every aspect of a service provider, you must read between the lines to get the whole picture. Even if a service provider has been in business for a while and has very little to no negative reviews, it still pays to inspect their records, read online reviews here, or look up if they are registered as an LLC with your state’s Secretary of State office. This will give you an idea of how trustworthy a company is and what kind of experience they bring to the table. These tips not only apply when looking into LLC service providers but also apply to all other aspects of your business.

    5. Compare Prices 

    It pays to be smart and do some research before signing any deals or contracts. In addition to researching the service you select, it is important to make sure that they are reliable and trustworthy. Start by comparing the pricing and services offered from various providers before deciding on which one will suit all your needs best. As tempting as it is to believe that the lowest price is always the best option, this simply isn’t true. You have to find the right balance between cost and quality of service if you want your LLC formation process to go smoothly without any additional stress or hidden fees.

    6. Check That The  Company is Registered and Licensed

    When searching for an LLC service provider online, there may not be a lot of information available other than what their website offers in terms of facts and figures regarding their services. It is highly recommended to contact your state’s Secretary of State office to see whether the company in question is credible. In other words, check that they are qualified to provide the services that they claim to offer. This will show you if the company is registered and has been certified by your state government, which can also help you better gauge how trustworthy a company is and whether clients had issues with the said company in the past.

    It always pays to do some research before signing any contract. You should never take someone’s word as gospel because there may be hidden agendas or contingencies that may not be completely upfront at first glance (or even second). It will be up to you to determine the credibility of a company when choosing an LLC service provider, so comparing services and prices from various providers may help you find the one that best suits your needs.

  • Best Rated LLC Services Company

    Best Rated LLC Services Company

    Forming an LLC is crucial to protect your personal assets, this guide picks out the top LLC services company you should consider!

    ZenBusiness

    When it comes to forming an LLC online, we strongly recommend ZenBusiness based on overall quality. ZenBusiness provides company formation solutions beginning at $39 per year (plus state fees).

    ZenBusiness Pros

    • LLC creation packages that are simple to use and reasonably priced
    • Customer service that is responsive
    • Online ZenBusiness evaluations have received excellent client feedback.
    • Registered agent services of the highest caliber

    ZenBusiness Cons

    • In order to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN), you must spend an extra $70 in the ZenBusiness basic plan. However, we urge that you learn how to obtain an EIN for free.

    ZenBusiness Pricing and Features

    All three packages include the following key products for forming your LLC:

    • Registered agent services: All three of ZenBusiness’s packages include a full year of registered agent services. It’s only $119 per year after the first year. (We also named ZenBusiness the best registered agent service!)
    • Free Operating Agreement: Assists in defining the parameters of the company’s formation. Few businesses include an Operating Agreement as part of their standard packages.
    • Worry Free CPA Assessment: This assessment will offer you with a free examination of your company’s finances as well as a recommendation for the best licensed CPA for your unique needs. Accounting services are an excellent method to maintain track of your company’s financial flow, file taxes, and stay organized.

    Incfile

    Incfile, like ZenBusiness, offers excellent value in their basic pricing plan for LLC services.

    Incfile Pros

    All packages include a full year of registered agent service for free. After that, it’s $119 per year, which is still on the lower end of registered agent pricing.

    Incfile provides a real-time order tracking feature as well as excellent customer service.

    The organization offers an easy-to-use web dashboard to assist you keep track of crucial deadlines and compliance notifications.

    Incfile Cons

    Important company features such as an Operating Agreement and an EIN will cost you extra.

    Incfile Pricing and Features

    Their Silver plan, which is free with the exception of state levies, offers the following features:

    • Formation of a Limited Liability Company
    • Lifetime corporate compliance alerts
    • One year of free registered agent service.

    Incfile Gold ($149 + state charge) includes the following features:

    • A Banking Resolution
    • EIN Registration
    • Operating Agreement

    Finally, their Platinum package ($249 + state charge) comprises the following items:

    • A free company website as well as a domain name
    • Templates for contracts
    • Accelerated filing

    Inc Authority

    Inc Authority is yet another effective option for forming an LLC.

    Inc Authority Pros

    • They will form your LLC for free, similar to Incfile (plus state fees)
    • Every bundle includes a full year of free registered agent services from Inc Authority.
    • Website and checkout process are simple to use.
    • Customer service and assistance that is knowledgeable

    Inc Authority Cons

    • Several upsells that entrepreneurs would normally be able to obtain for free (e.g., EIN)
    • The premium starting bundles available are more costly than other LLC formation services.

    Inc Authority Pricing and Features

    Despite the fact that Inc Authority offers three startup bundles, we advocate using their free LLC formation service. It includes the following and more for just the state fee:

    • Preparation and documentation
    • Check the name of your company.
    • One year of service as a registered agent
    • Digital storage and distribution

    Rocket Lawyer

    Although ZenBusiness is the superior option for merely starting a small business, Rocket Lawyer is the better option if you require ongoing legal services after the formation of your LLC, check out the individual Rocket Lawyer LLC review here.

    Rocket Lawyer Pros

    • The TRUiC and Rocket Lawyer New Business Bundle comes with a special discount!
    • If you wish to try the legal services subscription package, which includes free LLC formation, the 7-day trial eliminates any risk.
    • Rocket Lawyer offers exceptional client service.

    Rocket Lawyer Cons

    • Rocket Lawyer focuses on legal assistance and advice that extends beyond company creation. If you merely want to start a small business, there are more economical choices available.

    Rocket Lawyer Pricing and Features

    Rocket Lawyer distinguishes itself by providing a subscription-based approach for continuous legal services, with premium users receiving access to legal papers, advice, and other benefits.

    We’ve reached a contract to combine Rocket Lawyer’s premium membership services into a special package for our users at a discounted price of $349.99. (plus state fees). By selecting our New Business Bundle, you will save around $300 (more than 45 percent!) by including the following:

    • Service of Free Incorporation
    • One Year of Registered Agent Services
    • Legal Services for One Year:
    • Expert Advice from Real Lawyers
    • 30-minute lawyer consultation on any new legal problem, and up to 40% off attorney hourly rate after that.
    • Operating Agreements are examples of simple legal documents and contracts.
    • Discounts on future services are only available to members.
    • Excellent client service

    The TRUiC and Rocket Lawyer New Business Bundle is ideal for entrepreneurs that require further legal knowledge throughout the life of their business.

    For example, if you are launching a real estate business, you may require more complete legal assistance and advice on rental applications, sublease agreements, and so on. Rocket Lawyer excels at providing peace of mind to businesses that require easy access to attorneys and specialized counsel on potential legal challenges.

  • How to Monetise a Gaming Blog?

    How to Monetise a Gaming Blog?

    If you’re thinking of starting a gaming blog or you’ve already got one up and running, you might want to consider monetising your hobby. With the right strategy, you can transform your blog into a lucrative side hustle or even a thriving small business. To get started, below are some top tips for monetising a gaming blog:

    1. Identify Your Audience

    Gaming is a massive industry, which means your blog is unlikely to appeal to everyone. With more than 2.8 billion gamers worldwide, it’s impossible to deliver value to everyone. By choosing a specific niche, however, you can whittle down your audience and provide genuine value to blog visitors. By doing so, you will increase the number of subscribers you gain and boost the monetary value of your blog.

    2. Avoid Being Repetitive

    When you are posting content regularly, it’s easy to be repetitive, which puts people off and stops them revisiting your blog. As well as making sure your posts are varied, you’ll also need to ensure that your blog offers something different to other gaming sites out there. Whether you focus on a range of different games, such as Ruby Fortune and FIFA, or feature content that spans different platforms, devices and consoles, make sure you find a way to keep delivering something new and fresh to your readers.

    3. Feature Relevant Ads

    Advertising can be a great way to monetise a blog, providing adverts don’t have a negative impact on user experience (UX). If you want to generate revenue from your gaming blog, make sure adverts appeal to your core audience. This will increase the click-through-rate (CTR) of ads on your site, which will keep advertisers happy, but users will also be happy to see advertising content that’s of interest to them.

    4. Post Affiliate Links

    Affiliate marketing is a popular way to monetise any type of blog and it’s a strategy that can certainly be used with a gaming blog. When you post an affiliate link, you’ll receive a commission or flat fee when a user clicks on the link and makes a subsequent purchase. Again, you’ll need to make sure that the links you feature are relevant to your audience if you want to make a profit and optimise the UX.

    5. Offer VIP Content

    Blogs are typically free to view but there’s nothing stopping you introducing a premium section for paid subscribers on your blog. While you might need to build up a strong subscriber base before this becomes a realistic option, creating content that users are willing to pay for is a sure-fire way to turn your blog into a profit-making endeavour.

    Launching a Successful Blog

    Blogging might be easy in theory, but it can take quite a bit of work to engage your audience and generate an income from a blog. By creating great content and consistently gaining subscribers, however, you can capitalise on the popularity of your blog and implement a variety of monetisation techniques.

  • An Employee’s Guide: What Makes A Strong Retaliation Case?

    An Employee’s Guide: What Makes A Strong Retaliation Case?

    There are a number of situations that occur at work that make the workspace toxic. There could be instances of discrimination, and harassment that make the environment unbearable. When you finally make an HR complaint to stop the disrespect, that’s when employers can decide to take revenge. This may come in the form of downgrading your position, ignoring you completely even when it comes to professional correspondence, or disciplining you severely although unwarranted. You may be passed up for job promotions or important job training. This can even progress to outright termination. 

    Make An Official Complaint

    You first should make an official complaint to your supervisor or human resource department that you believe your boss is making retaliatory moves against you. How to be sure? One way is to take note of the timeline this behavior from your employer began taking place. Right after your complaint? Bingo. With sufficient examples of retaliation, an investigation should be opened. Your boss would be questioned and he or she may well deny the claims. But if you’re sure of your accusations and nothing substantial is being done by the organization you work for, then contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

    Connect The Dots

    You need to find concrete examples that tie your complaint directly to the ensuing behavior. For instance, your employer may have e-mailed you an opportunity to participate in a special type of training, which you happily accepted. Fast forward to the start of harassment or unwanted sexual advancements. You refuse those advances and explain to your boss that you are uncomfortable and this is inappropriate. He persists. You file a complaint. 

    All of a sudden you receive a correspondence stating that you are no longer invited to participate in the training, and your spot has been given to someone else. No further explanation. Here you can see a clear line that connects one course of action to another. Such evidence cannot be refuted. This is exactly the type of evidence you need to make a strong case. 

    Get In Touch With An Employment Lawyer

    This will be a tough fight should your employer not take responsibility for his or her actions as is often the case. You need the best, most experienced lawyers fighting back on your side. Cases against major businesses like Walmart, Fed-Ex, and Sherwin Williams have been tried and won. Having experience in representing both employees and employers the West Coast Employment Lawyers are well versed in how both sides of the cases can proceed. This allows them to better prepare all angles of the case. They promise justice, support, and compensation. 

    You might be concerned that employing a firm as top-rated is bound to cost more than you can afford. The good news is that you pay not a dime out of pocket unless your case is won.

    Retaliation Is Not Always Cut and Dry or Black and White

    What you take to harassment from a coworker or an employer may fall within the category of subjectivity and not outright wrongdoing. Take for example a supervisor who asks to speak to you and leads you into his office with the palm of his hand on the flat of your back. He removes it shortly and makes no attempts to flirt. The office door remains open through the discussion. You leave that situation feeling uncomfortable and decide to make a complaint to HR. Your supervisor confesses he saw nothing inappropriate about the interaction. While no one can tell you your feelings are wrong, can he be justly accused of sexual harassment or poor conduct when no similar or worse action happened prior or subsequently? 

    Knowing that you felt uncomfortable, he may approach you to suggest that you work with another supervisor from now on. You may have your gripes with this other supervisor or receive fewer opportunities for advancement under their leadership, and feel you are being punished for speaking out your truth. In such a situation, no one wins. It might appear to be an instance of retaliation but in fact, could have simply been the best course of action. 

    Be Very Clear On What Protected Activity Covers

    Be aware that not every HR complaint is deemed protected despite your belief that it is. Some protected complaints include racial discrimination, sexual harassment, violations of safety, denying medical leave due to a disability, and labor code violations. Micromanaging and being constantly asked to complete tasks that fall outside of your employment contract do not make the cut. So if your boss decided to let you go after you make a complaint that you’re being overworked with tasks that do not apply to your position, there is no case of retaliation. 

    Sure, if you honestly believe that a case of harassment took place, but is proven by legal counsel not to be, you will not be penalized. But if it is found that a claim was maliciously brought against an employee or employer, you may well find yourself under the spotlight of the law. 

    How To Avoid Such Situations

    The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission suggests that all business places proudly display an anti-retaliation policy. This can be posted in a location where all employers can easily read, can be sent out in emails, or included in the employee handbook. In addition, training can be held to remind all staff of the seriousness of the policy and consequences waiting for those who act out against it. As an employer, seek to create an atmosphere in the workplace of comfort, where persons can feel free to report any cases of poor work practices. But also a space of respect where unwanted and unlawful advancements and actions don’t or rarely take place. 

    Make examples out of those who step out of bounds. Let nothing slip through the cracks. A regulatory body with no links to the employer ideally should oversee all complaints so that not even the boss can escape.

  • 4 Things You Can Do To Improve Your Restaurant’s Interior Design

    4 Things You Can Do To Improve Your Restaurant’s Interior Design

    There are quite a few misconceptions about restaurant ownership in those that aren’t all that knowledgeable about this topic.  One of the most common misconceptions is that the success of a restaurant only depends on the quality of food served in it. In fact, the success of a restaurant depends on an immense number of parameters. Location, social skills, and experience of the staff, presentation of food, marketing, and quite prominently – how does the restaurant look like. That’s right, the interior of a restaurant can entirely transform the experience that it offers – be it in a positive or a negative way. Having that said, if you are a restaurant owner, it is incredibly important that you take your time to ensure that the interior design of your restaurants is at a high level.

    Now, what does one have to do in order to improve their restaurant’s interior design? Well, that’s exactly the topic of this article, so, if you want to learn more about restaurant interior design – make sure to keep on reading!

    Ensure that the entrance is impactful

    The entrance into a restaurant plays a huge role in how your restaurant is perceived and evaluated by your clients in the initial stages of entering it. When a potential customer is deciding whether to stay in your restaurant or not, what they see when they enter is crucial. Hence, it is vital that you make sure that the entrance to your restaurant is impactful in a positive manner. Additionally, it is important that your brand is easily identifiable upon entering. So, what does all of this mean in practice – what should you do to make your entrance more impactful?

    If your first thought was to make a grand entrance hall with an exorbitant amount of decor – stop right there, that is not the impact that you want to make. Instead, you want to focus on the view from the entrance door of the restaurant from that angle. You want to carefully set up lighting and position decorations. You also want your tables properly arranged and covered with tablecloths printed with your logo to help promote your brand and sell your message. This will impress and invite your potential clients inside. In a way, you want to ensure that the primary perspective in which you design your interior is from the perspective of the client that’s entering the restaurant.

    Understand your target audience

    One of the most common mistakes in a restaurant’s interior design lies in the fact that people design them so that they appeal to them rather than to the target audience. This is a generally common mistake as you can easily gravitate more towards your own liking, of course. Now, experienced designers know how to tackle this. But, let’s see what should someone without major design experience have in mind. First of all, you need to ensure that you understand the niche of your restaurant. Try to construct a profile of your perfect customer, and make it as extensive as possible. First, focus on the simpler characteristics such as age range. But as you progress, go into more detail – what music do they listen to, do they have kids, are they artistically inclined? 

    Once you construct the profile of the perfect customer, you will have a lot to go on from when designing the interior. Remember – your goal here is to ensure that the interior is as appealing as possible to your target audience. This process is extensive, but if done right, will give great results. It truly is important to make your brand distinguishable and relatable to your target audience. If you fail to do so, you end up with a generic restaurant, and there are just too many of those out there.

    The impact of lighting

    Many people tend to underestimate just how impactful lighting is in interior design, but also in general. Lighting not only dictates how a room looks but also how it feels on many different levels. By changing the tone of light, its dimness, position, and similar parameters, you dictate how people are going to feel in your restaurant. 

    Are you shooting for a classy, high-end look, a contemporary and modern one, or an artsy, out-of-the-box look? Whatever the case may be, lighting is an easy shortcut to your goal, as it enhances all the other parameters that impact it. For instance, colder tones may play a better role in a high-end look, while dimmed, bolder colors can work better in an artsy setting. Try different things out, see what works best, but don’t forget about the impact of lighting!

    Cohesive materials 

    Unless your initial goal is to design your restaurant to look eclectic – it would be best that you stick to a cohesive style. Now, it can be downright boring to make all your furniture borderline the same in order to emphasize the overall concept. A better way to approach making a look cohesive is by employing connected themes in regard to lighting, materials, and colors. For simplicity, let’s focus on the materials. It is important that you ensure that the materials in the restaurant are generally cohesive, and this goes for furniture – but also decor, walls, and flooring.

    Additionally, choosing materials tactically can further elevate the look. For instance, many modern establishments opt for avoiding cheap, plastic elements of significance. Instead, using wood in contrast with metal, they ensure a feeling of warmth, enhanced with futuristic, strong metallic elements. In a similar manner, ensuring that you use cohesive materials among furniture pays off as well.

    Finally, it is important to have in mind that there are no two restaurants in the world that are the same. Hence, individuality and originality in a restaurant are not only encouraged – but are the key to a successful, well-established brand. Ultimately – there is no true guideline that would be able to tell every restaurant owner how to boost their restaurant’s interior design. But, as you’ve seen, there are some things that are universally important and should be considered by everyone. So, take your time when it comes to the restaurant’s interior – once you establish the overall look, the probability is high that you will not stray away from it that much in the future. Good luck!

  • How To Set Up Your Home-Based Business For Success

    How To Set Up Your Home-Based Business For Success

    In their Home Business Handbook, editors of Income Opportunities magazine reveal that only 20 to 25 percent of home-based businesses fail in their first five years. On the other hand, all small businesses have a failure rate of 50 percent, according to an article on Inc. It’s no secret that almost all business ventures that have success stories start small. For example, Apple and Amazon were launched in home garages. So, if you’re an ambitious entrepreneur, don’t be afraid to start your venture from home.

    However, like any other business, taking your home-based venture to the next level of profitability and growth can be daunting. In most cases, home-based business owners try to handle everything by themselves. They also invest a lot of money hiring people to assist them, resulting in low-profit margins. Fortunately, there are ways you can improve your business and attract customers without much hassle. Read on to get an idea of how to set up a home-based business for success and growth. 

    Come up with a business idea

    Generating a business idea is the most critical step to starting a successful home business. If you’re like many entrepreneurs, you probably know what kind of business you want to establish. For instance, let’s say you’ve been a real estate agent for years. You can leverage your expertise to start a home-based real estate consulting agency. If you don’t know what to do but want to break into the business world, you’ll need to brainstorm ideas for your venture. But with so many business options to consider, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Therefore, create a list of businesses you can start at home and select those in line with your passion and interests. For example, you may consider becoming a freelance writer, virtual assistant, business consultant, or personal trainer. Also, think of target consumers, market demand, profitability rate, and skills to ensure your potential business has chances for success. 

    Plan for success

    For aspiring entrepreneurs, starting a business is a fun and fulfilling experience. However, the excitement won’t find you the success you desire. With this in mind, be prepared to take action, which requires a lot of planning. Start by researching your target market to ensure there’s demand for your products and even identify your competitors. Successful entrepreneurs also recommend understanding your target consumer based on their interests, age, and location. Once you’ve identified your ideal customer, focus on creating a business plan. A detailed business plan highlights your specific goals for your venture and what you need to do to become successful. 

    Invest in the right insurance coverage

    Whether you’re working alone as an independent contractor or have employees, purchasing a home business insurance policy should be a top priority. You can buy different types of business insurance, including business owner’s policy, general liability, and professional liability insurance. You’ll also need worker’s compensation coverage to prevent financial impacts that arise when you or an employee get injured at the workplace. 

    Investing in workers comp insurance provides enough funds to compensate employees for lost wages and medical expenses. If you’re managing your home-based business alone, this policy covers your medical bills, lost income during recovery, and emergency room care. That way, you don’t have to use personal finances or assets to cover for workplace injuries. Purchasing workers’ comp insurance also protects you against lawsuits when an employee gets injured at work.  

    Don’t forget to create your business identity

    Every successful business, regardless of industry or size, has a strong brand. Therefore, create a unique identity for your home-based business. Creating a unique business identity makes your brand memorable so that customers can quickly identify your products in the market. To create a reputable brand, come up with a unique business name and create a logo. It’s also wise to design a website and appealing packaging materials, and then develop a marketing strategy that helps you meet your company goals. This step entails designing ad materials like coupons, fliers, and newsletters with your logo. Also, create a digital marketing campaign that allows you to stay visible online and reach a larger audience. 

    Establishing a home-based business is an excellent way of taking control of your time and income. However, before you can set up your home business, ensure you have a business idea with the potential to earn high returns. Also, create a unique brand identity, buy the right business insurance, know your ideal customer, and develop an effective business plan.