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Starting a business requires choosing a legal name under which to operate. This may be your own name if you set up a sole proprietorship or a company name for an LLC or corporation. To operate under any other name, you must file a DBA.What is a DBA?Also called a fictitious business name, assumed business name or trade name, DBA stands for “doing business as.” Entrepreneur defin …

When you structure a company as a corporation, filing the articles of incorporation is one of the first official steps that you need to take. The articles act as a charter that establishes the existence of your business in the state in which it operates. The document basically identifies the traits of your corporation. That sounds simple, but there are several things that you n …

When natural disasters occur, they can devastate your business if you are not adequately prepared. Having sufficient insurance coverage and securely backing up your important files is important. Unfortunately, some natural disasters strike with little warning. After a disaster happens, you'll want to rebuild your business as quickly as you can. Rebuilding a business after a dis …

Entering into contracts is common for most small business owners. You may sign contracts when you lease office equipment, conduct business banking, lease vehicles or for many other purposes. Some small business owners make the mistake of making oral contracts or using form contracts that have boiler-plate language. You should avoid doing this because it can set you up for poten …

When you're launching a new business, choosing a name is one of the most important steps. After you choose a business name, you need to do everything possible to protect it. This process involves registering the legal or fictitious name as well as filing for trademark protection.Business Names That Register AutomaticallyWhen you register a corporation, limited liability company …