Looking to start or grow a small business? Discover practical ideas, helpful tips, and simple advice to manage your business and achieve long-term success.
You don't need to be a US citizen or resident to register a US LLC. Choose a state, hire a registered agent with an address there, file your formation papers, then get an EIN from the IRS by phone, fax or mail. After that, open a bank account and file Form 5472 every year if you are the sole foreign owner.
To register a small business in the US, choose a structure, pick a name, appoint a registered agent and file formation papers with your state. Then get a free EIN from the IRS, apply for any state tax accounts and local licences, and open a business bank account. Most state filings cost under $300.
No business is failure-proof, but the data points to essential, repeat-demand services such as healthcare, education, bookkeeping, repairs and home services as the sturdiest. Businesses that depend on trends, heavy stock or expensive premises fail more often. How you run the business matters more than the label on it.
The easiest businesses to start are the ones that sell a skill you already have or a product you don't have to stock: freelancing, tutoring, social media management for local shops, reselling, home-cooked food and simple local services. Pick one, get your first paying customer within a month, and improve from there.
