Everything You Need to Know About Registering Your Business as an LLC

So I’ve gotten so many questions about my LLC since I announced it on Instagram at the beginning of August, so today I am going to be answering YOUR questions, and telling you all about the process, from start to finish!

As of July 27th 2020, my brand “The Curly Clinician” is officially registered as an LLC 🥳📝! When I first started my blog and this Instagram account in 2017, I never imagined it would turn into what it is today. My only goal at the time was to help pre-PT students, especially minority students, get accepted into PT school. Now I also have so many other goals, and a great support system (YOU GUYS, the ones who constantly inspire and motivate me ❤️) to be with me every step of the way. I never imagined that at 25 I would have my own small business, but here I am and I’m not mad about it 🙋🏾‍♀️. The Curly Clinician, LLC has given me the opportunity to collaborate with some great companies that also align with my values, and because of that I now actually have an income (‘cause the way my schedule and these student loans are setup, ya girl has to do something 🙃) and a SAVINGS ACCOUNT with more than $5 in it. So thank you for sticking around. Thank you for supporting and believing in me. Every message, comment, like, and email means the world to me 🥰🥺. Even though sometimes it may take a little while for me to get back to you, I promise I see and read everything! I am so so grateful for this community we are building, and I am excited to see where this lil biz journey takes me 🤩! Here’s to crushing our goals and building our empires, no matter what 2020 throws at us 💪🏾✨.

From my Instagram post announcing my LLC

Why did I register my blog/brand as an LLC?

I had been considering registering “The Curly Clinician” as an LLC for about a year. After researching and hearing other people’s stories and experiences, I figured it was the right move for me to make for my business. Once I started making what I considered a “significant” income from my blog, I knew it was time to register it as an LLC. Other reasons:

• For tax purposes (write offs, and to make sure that the money is filled and represented appropriately, I don’t want Uncle Sam coming for me in the future haha)
• To protect my personal assets, and my future license as a physical therapist (I want things to be SEPARATE, to avoid any future liability issues)
• To be taken more seriously as a business

I suggest doing your own research if this is something you are considering for your blog or brand, to make sure that it is the right decision for YOU.

Steps I followed:

1. I visited the Secretary of State website for North Carolina.
2. I made sure that “The Curly Clinician” was not already registered as an LLC (it wasn’t, so thankfully I didn’t have to fight to get it!).
3. I filled out the appropriate paperwork (Articles of Organization, it included basic information like my name, address, the name of my LLC, and my signature) and mailed it to the Secretary of State, along with a check for $125 (this price will differ by state).
4. A few weeks after filing, I received paperwork in the mail stating that “The Curly Clinician” was successfully registered as an LLC. I then had to sign for a Certificate of Existence, which was an additional $74.50. I mailed this information and another check to the NC Certificate Service. After a few more weeks, everything was finalized and I received my official Certificate of Existence in the mail! NOTE: I AM NOW AWARE THAT THIS IS A SCAM. According to the NC Secretary of State Website: “NC Certificate Service has mailed out forms so that businesses can order a NC Secretary of State 2019 Certificate of Existence at a cost of $74.50. This is a business scheme and not necessary. Businesses are not required to order a Certificate of Existence as a step in the formation process. See below for more information about Certificates of Existence. This company is using public information on the records of the Secretary of State’s office to solicit North Carolina businesses. Please click this sentence to see a copy of the scheme mailing.” Learn from me, do not send these people your money!!!
5. I also opened a business checking account, so that I could keep my personal funds and my blog funds separate. I HIGHLY suggest doing this (game changer for sure!), because now it is so easy to keep track of how much money is coming in, and how much is going out. If I need to pay for something for the business (my blog hosting fees, blog themes, my domain, G-Suite, courses, education, etc.), I have the funds to do so without dipping into my personal accounts. Eventually, I will apply for a business credit card as well!
6. About a month after receiving my Certificate of Existence in the mail, I registered online for an Employee Identification Number (EIN) so when I send tax forms to brands and companies, I don’t have to use my social security number. I was immediately issued this number online.

Overall, the entire process from filing to receiving my certificate in the mail took a little over a month. This could have been expedited, but all of my information was being sent to my permanent address at my parents’ house in Raleigh, while I was still living in my apartment in Durham (so I had to wait until I was home to fill out the last of the paperwork for the NC Certificate Service).

A few frequently asked questions that weren’t answered above

1. What made you decide to register your business? At what point did you want to start the process? I had been considering the process for about a year (maybe a little longer), but once I started making a steady income from my blog, I knew that it was time to get serious and register it as an LLC. This was no longer just a hobby or passion project of mine—it was now a small business!
2. Did you have to get a lawyer? Nope, not for registering!
3. When do you NEED one? For taxes and such? That will differ from case to case! It all depends on your goals. Like I said previously, when you are making a steady income from your brand or blog, it is probably time to register it as some type of business.

Tips for those interested in registering their business

• DO YOUR RESEARCH! Make sure that this is the right decision for you and your business. Don’t just do it because it sounds good. Read blogs, websites, whatever you need to do to make your decision.
• Speak with others who have gone through the process for advice. Mattie James and Clara Moon were my inspirations.
• Make sure you have enough money saved up for the fees. The fees aren’t too high in NC, but I know that this isn’t the case in other states.

Good luck on your business journey friends! You’ve got this! Feel free to reach out anytime if you have any questions about my LLC!