
How To Guides
You can easily start a business in every state. Learn how with our step-by-step guides and make your entrepreneurship journey simple and fun along the way.
Last Updated: By TRUiC Team
How to Start a Business
Have a great business idea and ready to build your future, but don’t know where to begin? Can’t afford the costs of an attorney and wondering what to do? Start here. We’ll walk you through planning and registration and touch on all the best practices to help ensure you’re compliant, protected, and informed.
- Learn about taxes & licensing, explore helpful options, and get a tidy list of free resources.
- Discover new innovative software solutions to optimize your time.
- Get introduced to a handful of incorporation services who can handle the process for you.
Use our guides below to learn how to start a business in your state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
How To Form an LLC
A limited liability company (LLC) is the most popular business structure thanks to its simplicity, tax benefits, and liability protection. Get the ins and outs of starting an LLC in your state along with a step-by-step list of helpful resources.
- Learn about the paperwork involved, like operating agreements and articles of organization.
- Explore your options when it comes to registered agent services.
- Learn about LLC costs and filing fees or check out our LLC Startup guide.
Use our guides below to learn how to start an LLC in your state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
How to File a DBA
You can use a DBA to brand your sole proprietorhship, partnership, LLC or corporation. Choose your state from the dropdown below and we’ll lead the way.
The term "DBA" is sometimes misunderstood to be the same thing as a sole proprietorship. You can learn more about starting a sole proprietorship in our Choosing a Business Structure guide.
- Visit our What is a DBA guide to learn more.
- Our DBA vs LLC guide can help clear up the confusion of what a DBA is and when it's the right choice to form an LLC.
- You’ll get access to all the top-performing DBA filing services that can handle the process.
Use our guides below to learn how to file a DBA in your state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
How to Start a Startup
Startups are businesses created with rapid growth in mind that shake up their industry and challenge the status quo. If you’re a self-motivated, passionate, creative, and adaptable person with a great idea; you might be made for startup entrepreneurship.
Learn more about how to start, manage, and scale your startup with this guide on everything from pitch decks and building your founding team to forming your company with our how to start a startup guide.
Use our guides below to learn how to start a startup in your state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
How To Form a Corporation
A corporation is right for bigger startups and more established brands that are ready to raise outside funding and issue stock. Question is, do you have a business attorney who can handle the legalities? If not, our helpful guides touch on all the important basics to get you started and well on your way.
- From corporate kits to business license research services, there’s plenty of resources.
- Incorporation specialists with incredible corporate packages are waiting to collaborate!
- You’ll get an idea of the more formal paperwork involved, like bylaws and meeting minutes.
Use our guides below to learn how to form a corporation in your state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
How to Form a Nonprofit
Get a rundown of each step involved in forming your nonprofit and start making an impact, bringing on volunteers, and changing things for the better as soon and as safely as possible. Nonprofits are complex, and there are plenty of variables to consider.
- There are several steps you’ll need to take to achieve tax-exempt status and maintain it.
- See which partner companies help nonprofits incorporate and manage compliance.
- Quick-access to the most important documents like certificates of formation and bylaws.
Use our guides below to learn how to form a nonprofit in your state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
How to Choose a Registered Agent
When choosing a registered agent for your small business, you can act as your own agent, select another individual, or hire a registered agent service.
We'll show you the differences to help you make the best choice.
Choose your state to get started:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
How to Start an S Corp
An S corporation (S corp) is a tax designation, not a formal business structure. S corps have certain tax advantages to business owners, particularly for those looking to withdraw funds from their business for personal use.
Use our guides to learn how your business can become an S corp in every state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Business Resources by State
Choose your state to get started:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming