There's More to Launching a Business Than Forming an LLC
April 30, 2025 •BusinessInsights
Karl Reeves
CEO and Co-Founder at StartupWerx
You've seen the ads, heard the buzz: "Start an LLC and you're in business!" But that's only one piece of the puzzle.
More Than Forming an LLC
Forming an LLC isn't starting a business — it's creating the legal framework for one. That's one important step, but not the most important. There are quite a few more.
Launching Starts With You
Obvious, right? Or… is it?
Everything that happens before and after forming a business entity is even more impactful.
Why? Because those are all the things that can't be done for you.
Everything that happens before and after forming a business entity is even more impactful.
Why? Because those are all the things that can't be done for you.
- You're the one with the vision.
- You're the one with the motivation.
- You're the one who's going to make it happen.
- 👉 You have the inspiration
- 👉 You know yourself and the skills you can leverage
- 👉 You've identified a problem you're passionate about solving
- 👉 You're the engine behind your own momentum
An LLC provides the structure, but it's your passion and dedication that bring the business to life.
Dream. Launch. Grow.
The journey of entrepreneurship can be broken into three critical phases.
The Dream
Something inspired you to consider starting a business. That spark matters.
It's less about hating your day job than about achieving independence through innovation, drive, and risk.
It's about bringing those skills, that inspiration, and your drive to bear on the opportunity that you see.
And maybe… you just know you were never meant to work for someone else.
All good reasons to dive into the unknown.
Clarity on your "why" is your anchor.
When the rollercoaster kicks in — and it will — your purpose will keep you steady.
That's the ride.
Your dedication shapes every step, and that's what fuels the Dream.
It's less about hating your day job than about achieving independence through innovation, drive, and risk.
It's about bringing those skills, that inspiration, and your drive to bear on the opportunity that you see.
And maybe… you just know you were never meant to work for someone else.
All good reasons to dive into the unknown.
Clarity on your "why" is your anchor.
When the rollercoaster kicks in — and it will — your purpose will keep you steady.
Exhilarating. Terrifying. Nauseating. Unforgettable. Rewarding.
That's the ride.
Your dedication shapes every step, and that's what fuels the Dream.
The Launch
Ok, so this is an important step, business formation.
There are a number of structures to choose from, each with different tax and legal implications. With a little guidance, you can find the right structure to start with.
And know that business is flexible. Today's decision can be changed tomorrow if it makes sense for you. So take a breath and dive in.
Once you decide what type of business you want to launch, forming your entity might take 24 hours or up to a month, depending on your state and method.
But your business doesn't start when your paperwork is approved — it starts when you take action.
This is a lot to take in. But don't let the unknown paralyze you.
Decide fast. Test. Learn. Repeat.
Start with the basics and evolve.
Just don't get stuck overthinking, because someone else is already launching.
LLC? S-Corp? C-Corp?
There are a number of structures to choose from, each with different tax and legal implications. With a little guidance, you can find the right structure to start with.
And know that business is flexible. Today's decision can be changed tomorrow if it makes sense for you. So take a breath and dive in.
Once you decide what type of business you want to launch, forming your entity might take 24 hours or up to a month, depending on your state and method.
But your business doesn't start when your paperwork is approved — it starts when you take action.
Ask the real questions:
- Who is your ideal customer?
- How will you reach them?
- How much will you charge?
- Are you online-only, in-person, or hybrid?
- What startup capital do you need, and where will it come from?
- 💡 (Think loans, personal savings, friends & family, crowdfunding, or pre-sales.)
This is a lot to take in. But don't let the unknown paralyze you.
Decide fast. Test. Learn. Repeat.
Start with the basics and evolve.
Just don't get stuck overthinking, because someone else is already launching.
Grow
Now the real work begins.
Running and growing your business is what you do every single day.
Your business is an all-in exercise.
At a minimum, you want to maintain forward momentum every day.
To thrive, you must adapt to change and be aware at all times of what can affect your success.
Develop your radar, and stay tuned to:
All this while creating your system for managing sales, cash flow, hiring, inventory, and more.
Act and move forward, and find your equilibrium.
Once you've stabilized, it's time to grow. Maximize the sales potential of your company and connect with as many customers as you can.
More? On top of the basics of keeping the doors open? That's why you took time initially to establish your baseline of operations.
You can do this.
Focus on:
It's not about shouting louder. It's about connecting smarter.
No fluff: managing survival and establishing growth will lead to profitability.
But resilience is your secret weapon. Good times, ok times, hard times: none of these are predictable. And planning for the inevitable dips will give you the buffer to weather the unanticipated.
One founder we spoke to doubled sales in six months — only to lose half their customers overnight when a key supplier fell through.
Growth isn't just about more. It's about staying steady when things go sideways.
Running and growing your business is what you do every single day.
1. Survive: Keep the Doors Open
Your business is an all-in exercise.
At a minimum, you want to maintain forward momentum every day.
To thrive, you must adapt to change and be aware at all times of what can affect your success.
Develop your radar, and stay tuned to:
- Customer satisfaction
- Regulatory changes
- New technologies
- Market shifts
- The competitive landscape
All this while creating your system for managing sales, cash flow, hiring, inventory, and more.
Act and move forward, and find your equilibrium.
2. Scale: Reach More Customers
Once you've stabilized, it's time to grow. Maximize the sales potential of your company and connect with as many customers as you can.
More? On top of the basics of keeping the doors open? That's why you took time initially to establish your baseline of operations.
You can do this.
Focus on:
- What channels will you use to get your name out there?
- What's your marketing strategy?
- How will you turn visibility into conversions?
It's not about shouting louder. It's about connecting smarter.
3. Succeed: Make It Profitable
No fluff: managing survival and establishing growth will lead to profitability.
But resilience is your secret weapon. Good times, ok times, hard times: none of these are predictable. And planning for the inevitable dips will give you the buffer to weather the unanticipated.
One founder we spoke to doubled sales in six months — only to lose half their customers overnight when a key supplier fell through.
Growth isn't just about more. It's about staying steady when things go sideways.
Beyond Formation
The Real Work Begins
So, what's the takeaway?
Forming a business is exciting.
But growing one? That's where the real challenge — and reward — lies.
And here's the truth:
Business intelligence is your secret weapon.
Want to grow faster? Smarter?
- Use data
- Track what sells, who buys, and when
- Understand where your customers drop off
- Monitor changes in local, state, and federal regulations — from zoning laws and permitting to labor and tax requirements — and consider how each one could shift your operations, pricing, or compliance obligations.
- Know your competition — and where they're gaining ground
Business intelligence isn't a nice-to-have. It's a survival tool for small businesses. A successful business isn't just built on good ideas — it's built on your ability to adapt when the environment shifts.
Anticipating those shifts, and having a plan for them, is what keeps small businesses not just surviving — but thriving.
Start With Your Why
Sketch your plan.
Ask the hard questions.
Take a deep breath and dive in.
That's how real businesses begin.
What's your why?
Ask the hard questions.
Take a deep breath and dive in.
That's how real businesses begin.
Thinking about launching?
What's your why?
Karl Reeves
CEO and Co-Founder at StartupWerx