How to actually register a business (in 60 minutes)

Step 1: Decide structure (5 min)

• Sole proprietor: free, instant, no protection. Your name = your business.
• LLC (Limited Liability Company): ~$100-300 filing fee, separates personal from business. Recommended.
• S-Corp / C-Corp: only worth it past ~$60K/year in profit. Talk to a CPA.

Step 2: File LLC with your state (15 min)

Go to your Secretary of State website. Search 'register LLC [your state]'. Fill out Articles of Organization. Pay the fee. Done.

Step 3: Get an EIN from the IRS (free, 5 min)

irs.gov → 'Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online.' This is your business's social security number. Free. Do not pay third-party sites that offer to do this.

Step 4: Open a business bank account (30 min)

Bring: LLC articles, EIN letter, your ID. Open at a credit union or Black-owned bank. Keep business and personal money separate from day 1 — mixing them is what breaks LLC liability protection.

Step 5: Get the licenses you actually need

Varies by state, industry, and city. SBA.gov has a license lookup tool. Don't skip this — operating unlicensed in a regulated industry voids your insurance and can shut you down.