RACKNRUIN

I saw some old threads that touched on this a little bit, but I just wanted to ask again.

I've been printing my own designs and selling them here and there as a hobby for about 10+ years now and I'm at the point where I want to register as a business so I can buy wholesale shirts, and be able to write off any other expenses related to my screen printing as I buy better equipment.

I'm planning on registering a generic name as an LLC that I can use to offer t-shirt printing service to companies, teams, bands, etc. But then I'd also like to register a couple of "doing business as" names so that I can continue to put out my own designs as part of separate clothing lines.

So the generic LLC will be the printing service, while the DBA's will be like clothing 'brands'.

Does anyone have any advise for me!? I feel like I'm jumping into the fire since I've never registered a business before. I don't want to get myself into trouble when it comes to taxes, or paying myself from the t-shirt profits, etc.

Is an LLC the way to go? Should the generic name be the primary business, then the 'brands' just be the DBA's?

I should also mention that I am taking this very seriously and looking at this process as a way to start a business that I can eventually do full time and use as my only means of income. I do have a degree in business management and I've helped run a number of small companies. But I am still young (29..) and this is a new step for me and I'm nervous, so I'm looking for as much advise as I can get from those that have done it before me and succeeded

thanks!

~Anders

 

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FatKat Printz

We have our main name as our LLC we use this for establishing accounts and licenses. We use our DBA for our printed items incase we venture out into another business. You have the basic steps down and really its fairly easy to get established for an LLC and DBA, depending on what your state charges is very low cost. No need to hire a lawyer and what not at least in Florida everything is done online. Check with your states corporation websites and also post where you are because more than likely some here on the forum can direct you to the website.

Good Luck
Carla

 

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RACKNRUIN

Thanks Carla!

I'm in Massachusetts, but I'm planning on registering as an LLC thru Delaware because of the way they have things set up for businesses.

 

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