Starting a Business

Subscribe to Starting a Business via RSS

In a recent review of a franchise disclosure document (FDD), I spotted a provision from a franchisor requiring the franchisee to pay any state taxes imposed on the franchisor as a result of the franchise operations within the state. Franchisees (particularly here in Iowa) should think twice before agreeing to this type of provision due…

Do you know the difference between sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies? Do you know whether to set up an S corporation or is a C corporation better for you? Are limited liability companies really all that and a bag of chips?

If you are considering a business you should join me for…

 In my last post I shared my ABI Quick Bits Interview on Wage & Hour Lawsuits. In that interview I discussed how I often hear employers reference "1099 employees". I cautioned that you should make sure not to confuse independent contractors and employees. They are separate worker classifications and it’s important the your workers…

I recently sat down for an interview with Leisa Fox of the Iowa Association of Business & Industry to discuss wage and hour lawsuits. For a blog post I wrote on the topic see here.

Be sure to check out the other Quick Bits videos on a variety of business topics from

Rush Nigut of Brick Gentry, P.C. will be one of the featured speakers at the Iowa Association of Business and Industry’s Social Media Roundtable on November 14, 2012 at the Honey Creek Lodge Resort. Rush will deliver the keynote general session presentation on New Developments and the Future of Social Media. He will also lead…

Over the last several years I’ve had an opportunity to review many "License Agreements" that were actually thinly veiled attempts by companies to avoid franchising and the disclosures and regulations that come with it. It’s understandable why these businesses might want to avoid franchising. The costs of preparing franchise disclosure documents (FDDs) can be very…

If you’re interested in buying a franchise and in the process of reviewing the franchise disclosure document (FDD), I recommend a post from business attorney and franchise consultant Mike Sheehan on Item 19 financial disclosures. Mike starts his post by giving some good general information about FDDs including the fact, despite the voluminous nature…

A lot of business owners are understandably price conscious when it comes to their business insurance policies. Often, business owners will shop their business insurance and hop from insurance company to insurance company in the hopes of finding the most affordable policy.

The problem with this strategy is that if a claim occurs it may…

Yesterday the United States Supreme Court upheld, in a 5-4 decision, the constitutionality of the individual mandate under the Affordable Care Act. I am no expert on the act and I have not had time to closely review the decision. Consequently, I suggest you do what I am doing and go read some of the…