What is the best way to go about starting a design company?
Is becoming incorporated important or is there some other things we should do first? What other positions should we hire?
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M$2 Answers
Make sure you have the appropriate "Work Place Signs"
Go to your local state's Corporate Commission page and review their requirements. You'll most likely need to "submit" your new company to a local paper if you choose anything other than a Sole Proprietor.
Make sure your employees have completed their appropriate paperwork and you have copies of 2 forms of I.D.'s.
Keep this type of paperwork separate from their General Human Resource File. Plus you should consider some type of "Letter" regarding all design work is the "property of - your company" in case some one leaves and wishes to shop "work created for your company" to another company - this letter will prevent them from doing so - consult a Lawyer or a Paralegal Service.
Decide whether they are salary or on a commission basis? Like the person below says - the list is endless
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html (general overview of the below)
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98350,00.html (EIN)
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99200,00.html (small business forms)
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
I can't really compete with these answers, so I'll just add to make sure you also consider "Assumed Name" with your register of deeds or whoever handles that sort of thing in your locality. If you plan on naming your company something other than your own name, you need to verify the name is free and clear and register your intent to do business under that name. Banks will require this and a business license to set up an account under an assumed name.