Why Choose Us?

Here are some reasons you’ll have an enjoyable Oregon incorporation experience here:

• Over a decade of experience helping companies incorporate online through our network of websites.
• Fair prices. We’ve not changed prices in 10 years. We were lower than most competitors before. Even more so now.
• Fast turnaround. We are able to process your company within 1-business day on our end – everytime. We don’t charge extra for it – it’s included.
• We include services other companies charge hundreds of dollars extra for. Helping you obtain your EIN, Subchapter S designation, and fast service are 3 such areas.
• We’re here to help – not sell you on something. You want it? Great. You don’t want it? We don’t do any “sales” on the phone – just help.

Financing Your New Oregon Business

Not many of us have a couple million dollars to start our new Oregon business. That’s what we want, but the reality is that most new businesses are on a shoe-string budget and will only get partial funding.

One of the most important points to remember is – the sooner you can sell something, the better off you’re going to be. Money coming in is more important than anything else. If you can find funding that gets you started – run with it and don’t look back. Crank up sales as fast as you can, and make it work!

Before you do anything you’ll create a business plan or a detailed plan that resembles a business plan so you can show potential investors that you’ve done a LOT of thinking about the matter and have a plan for starting out, continuing, and furthering your business. Of course someone investing in your new Oregon business would have a serious interest in getting their money back. Consider that this is the primary focus of investors… how will you get me my money back plus interest or plus some tangible stake in the company?

When you plan your business you might think you don’t need investment capital. Don’t forget to look at needs like:

• inventory
• offline and online marketing
• internet experts to help you
• physical facilities
• incorporation expenses

The SBA (Small Business Administration) states that inadequately funded businesses is the 2nd most prominent reason businesses fail. What’s the first? Poor management.

I’ve found that, with the companies I’ve worked with – if they get through the initial period where they’re not making sales – and get into some sales – they’ll pull through generally.

As I said, the faster you can bring cash IN – the better.

Some questions about money you’ll need for your business…

Will you need just an initial cash-infusion – or will it be ongoing over years?

How quickly do you anticipate being able to repay investor’s cash? Would they accept stock in your company instead?

Are your major expenses for advertising – which is basically gone when spent, or is it for capital expenditures like real estate, vehicles, something with tangible re-sale value? You’ll likely get more investors in your Oregon business if you’re buying some assets.

Do you want to assume all the risk if the business doesn’t succeed, or do you want others to share the risks?

Answering these questions will help you figure out the best funding options for your business.

Basically there are two types of financing you can pursue for your Oregon business:

Debt financing – You take a loan for your business at a set interest rate and with repayment schedule worked out. If your new business succeeds, great, you owe the money. If not? You still owe the money.

Equity Financing – You sell stock in your new business to investors that think you will succeed. If the venture fails – the investors lose their money. if the business succeeds – they typically get great returns on their investment.

If you sell stock – the investors in your business will have more of a role in decisions because they want to help you succeed. You’ll get advice and lose some control over your company. Be careful to layout exactly what their contribution will be – you don’t want someone to run your business for you, unless they’re experts!

Resources to look at:

Friends, co-workers, and family are the most frequently used resource for loans and equity arrangments. You’ll want to make the agreements legal with all the formalities to protect both parties. You don’t want to destroy a family relationship over this!

Many new business owners use their credit cards to get cash. You might be able to get $5,000 per credit card – in cash to fund your new business. That might be all you need. If you have a hard time paying it back you’ll likely be able to get reduced monthly rates – as the card companies will get high interest over a longer term. Credit cards are dangerous – and many businesses fail and lose their credit – personal and business when their new business fails. Careful not to overextend yourself here.

Bank loans are plentiful. There are microloans of several hundred to a thousand dollars. There are 100,000+ loans at national banks. If you have assets you’re willing to put up as collateral you can generally find large loans.

Look into line of credit loans – where you don’t owe until you use the money.

Leasing can be the best choice if you need large items like real estate, equipment or expensive electronics.

Angel investors typically loan $5,000 to a million dollars and, though hard to find – are worth the effort. They’ll take a percentage of your business more than likely. Just be sure not to give a controlling interest unless it makes a lot of sense to do so.

Private lenders like credit unions or small financial institutions can specialize in certain industries and be more likely to take on a higher-risk loan if there is a lot of potential on the upside for them.

If your business idea makes sense. If you’re a trustable person. If you have a great plan… you’ll be able to find funding. You may need to jump into your business and show some small success before some funders are ready to give you money – but, if that’s what it takes – get started!

Protecting Personal Assets with Incorporation

When you decide to start a business you really need to go at this the smart way. A very high percentage of new Oregon businesses start and then “stop”. New businesses fail everyday. You don’t want your new business to fall into this category. Right?

A very big problem with new businesses is that they are afraid to take the step of incorporation. Why is that? Incorporation is seen as serious. Incorporation is seen as more responsibility. Incorporation is a legal process that many are afraid to make mistakes about.

These are all common views of incorporation among the unincorporated public. Naturally we fear it.

“There is something you should fear more – losing all your assets if you don’t incorporate.”

Incorporating your new Oregon business creates a separate legal entity – in the eyes of the IRS and the justice system. The company you create is not you, it’s separate from you. It has a federal ID number like you have a social security number. It has separate taxes. It is separate from you if your business is sued in legal action.

Before you incorporate your personal assets are wide open. A court can judge against you and take your personal savings, home, cars, boat, electronics – whatever they choose really. The courts are not kind, they can’t be – they’re fair though.

What’s fair is fair… if you haven’t incorporated, your personal assets are all at risk.

Much better to incorporate your Oregon business as soon as possible and protect your assets from legal action against your business. Keep in mind that there are many things you could do once incorporated that can cause the court to “Pierce the corporate veil” and still take your personal assets – but, you’d have to screw up pretty bad to get to that point. Read up on how to act as a business owner. Intent to commit fraud and other things are good reasons for the court to grab your personal assets anyway.

• Incorporate.
• Act Responsibly.
• Protect your personal assets from ending up in someone else’s garage.