Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I am in dire need to decide what to setup for my business.

Given:

I have oversea people who wants me to be an agent, consultant, company to have with their business in California.   All contracts, licensing and money matter goes through the HK company.  Here, I will provide support for finding R&D people, some marketing, stuff.

What should I setup?

Just a business license from the County OR Set up a LLC under just my name? Meaning incorporation, meaning at least 800 dollars of fee which is fine if necessary and good to do that.

Can I call the LLC by any name and have a website for this business under a different domain name than the LLC name?

Can I add more people or partner afterwards?

Dreamtoys,

I will try to answer your questions one by one:

1) You could do both. It all depends on the level of liability thats you are exposed to. Keep in mind that in California you file DBA with county clerk and there is a newspaper publication requirement (nothing drastic though).

2) You can give your DBA/LLC any name you want as long as it is available (and not trademarked). You don't have to match it with your domain (but its advisable of course).

3) You can't add people to sole proprietorship (hence "sole"). If you plan on adding members go for LLC.

Thanks blog bookmarked,thanks also in behalf of information. I am going to bookmark this page.

 Because you are dealing with and entering into agreements will several different companies around the globe, then you may want to file an LLC or Corporation for your business. This will limited the liability should anything go wrong. You also get pass through taxation. Your LLC can own the domain name and other assets you want to contribute to the LLC.  Something to keep in mind is you will be treated as a single member LLC. Here is an article Jennifer @MyLLC put together on Single Member LLCs http://www.myllc.com/single-Member-LLC.aspx