Client Profile: Fostering LLC

Here at Safe Shield we are proud to have a variety of clients ranging in many different businesses. Today we are excited to profile one of our clients, Matt Foster the owner of Fostering LLC.

Matt has made a name for himself in the St. Cloud area by customizing CRM solutions for the past 7 years. In February of 2014 Matt decided to go full time in the CRM business world and soon after sought out Safe Shield's services to make sure his LLC was set up properly.

Matt has always been familiar with entrepreneurship being around his father's successful business growing up. “The Entrepreneurial spirit is in my blood. My father owned his own business for over 50 years. I get energized knowing I can service my clients the right way and made decisions to move in that manner.”

Foster credits flexibility, freedom to carve his own path, and creating viable solutions for others as the most rewarding parts of owning his own company. He says Safe Shield has been a no-brainer for the service and the peace of mind. “Some of the beginning challenges are the “sideline” work just to get incorporated, business banking accounts, filings and insurance. I started my LLC over 6 years ago all by myself and realized that I wasn’t properly covered.”

In March of 2014 Safe Shield went to work researching the filings Matt had previously done, making the necessary changes and updating all the records for Fostering LLC. “I appreciate having someone trustworthy to call if I have questions and have all my documents online whenever I need them.”

For the future Matt plans to continue to grow Fostering LLC. “I truly enjoy serving other local business, knowing they are more efficient and profitable after our interactions.”

If you are looking into making some CRM improvements and would like to learn more about Fostering LLC, visit their website here:http://fosteringllc.com/

Safe Shield Keeps Filing Easy With it's Online Interface

At Safe Shield we make small business owners' lives a lot easier by monitoring their ever changing compliance standards, initiating regular compliance reviews, generating detailed documentation, and managing all of their business records. Continuing with this trend Safe Shield developed an online corporate record book for its clients to keep all of their business documents in one easy place.

Business owners no longer need to deal with the hassle of updating a stack of physical business records. Safe Shield manages all of your business records in a secure online environment allowing you convenient, any time access as well as the ability to share access with business associates and any of your other trusted advisors.

Caryn Stadther of Falcon National Bank explains that their company has greatly benefited from Safe Shield's easy online corporate record book. “We really are able to help our customers better by using Safe Shield's online record keeping. With the systems Safe Shield has in place, we can easily gather the documents we need to help our customers with their deposit accounts or loan needs.”

 

If you own multiple businesses, Safe Shield's online corporate record book also gives you access to all of the businesses you own in one convenient location.

 

Trust Safe Shield to manage your business documents and experience the Safe Shield difference! 

Safe Shield website

Benefits of an LLC

Limited Liability Companies, or LLCs, have seen a surge in popularity in recent years. There’s a good reason for it; the business model is incredibly flexible, and highly effective, if properly created and maintained. At Safe Shield, we have the expertise to get your LLC off the ground - here are a few features that make it worth considering.

A limited liability company, or LLC, is succinctly described by the U.S. Small Business Association as “a hybrid type of legal structure that provides the limited liability features of a corporation and the tax efficiencies and operational flexibility of a partnership.”

Sounds a little complicated? Probably. Still, all of this amounts to a very solid business model…but only if properly maintained.

What else do you need to know about LLCs?

Benefits of an LLC:

Flexibility

The owner or owners of an LLC are referred to as "members." Depending on the state, the members can consist of a single individual (one owner), two or more individuals, corporations or even other LLCs. In an LLC, percentage of ownership can be divided up in any way; all that matters is that the ownership totals up to 100%.

Taxation

LLCs are not taxed as separate entities, like corporations. Instead, these profits or losses pass through the business over to each member of the LLC. In turn, LLC members report financial happenings on their personal federal tax returns - just like the owners of a partnership would. However, an LLC also has the flexibility to elect S-Corp status with the IRS. This means that the legal structure is still that of an LLC, but the IRS treats the LLC as an S-Corporation for tax purposes.

Assets are Protected

By properly establishing and maintaining an LLC, small business owners gain a layer of protection. For example, if someone files a lawsuit against the LLC, the individual officers and members are typically not held personally liable on the judgment. This is a major bonus; a major financial situation such as a lawsuit can sink a small company. This means that LLCs can function as a huge security measure.

An LLC is only as strong as it’s structure; as we mentioned, if your LLC is not set up and regulated with care, it is doomed to fail. So, if you’re planning on establishing a business, and are contemplating the LLC structure, give us a ring at Safe Shield and we’ll help you navigate!

Client Profile: Abel & Wright

Safe Shield is only as successful as the clientele we support. And, fortunately for everyone involved, we work with some of the hardest working, most innovative people around.

Today, we talk a little with Amy Marquard, Founder/ President of Abel & Wright, LLC. This brand-new St. Cloud-based agency works to reclaim debt on a business-to-business basis.

Marquard is still settling into her new adventure, but she definitely has a strong idea of what she wants and where she’s heading professionally - but we’ll let her explain it all herself.

Q: So, what does Abel & Wright do?

A: Abel & Wright collects B2B debt while protecting your brand with respect and integrity. We believe companies should be paid on-time and in-full. It’s only right. And we’ll tell that to your customers in the very nicest possible way.

Q: How long have you been in business?

A: We formed on April 5, 2014.

Q: Why did you decide to go into business for yourself?

A: Well, I've always had a desire to build a strong brand and I feel lucky to have the opportunity at the same time that my experience, education and vision are so well-aligned. Business owners are telling me that, while they are profitable, their slow-paying customers cause them to struggle with cash flow. I love that I can provide a very necessary and valuable service in my hometown, with collection strategies focused on customer retention (working under their company name or mine).

Q: What is the most rewarding part of owning your own business?

A: Doing what I love  - passion motivates me. I hear really painful stories from business owners, detailing the hard work, time and money invested to build solid customer relationships - and then the disappointment and repercussions of having to chase money owed to them. It all really tugs at me. But their customers have struggles, too, so building rapport and collaborating on both ends is very necessary. Truly, what could be better than delivering cash to customers whose hope had been lost? I have the best job in the world.

Q:  Have you faced any challenges with being your own boss? Has Safe Shield made this easier?

A: Some people warned that being my own boss can be lonely and/or stressful. I know I'm in the early stages, but I really haven't found that to be true. Yes, there have been challenges and setbacks, but each presented an opportunity to build my professional network. Safe Shield LLC is a big part of that team and I rely on them to do what they do best.

Q: At what point in your business journey did you start using Safe Shield? What has been helpful about this?

A: I used Safe Shield, LLC to form my entity, so they were one of my first business partners. Using their service allowed me to really relax about something as important as how the company will be formed - and then focus my energy on improved cash flow for my customers. While I originally thought I could just form the LLC on my own, the large stack of documents Safe Shield LLC produced was proof that I would have had no idea what I was doing. I also like supporting local businesses and was happy to have been referred to them.

Q: What plans do you see in the future?

A: I love the idea that, with controlled growth, I will be able to create highly-skilled jobs for the St. Cloud area while solving real cash flow problems for businesses. The St. Cloud area business community has truly embraced Abel & Wright and the future excites me!

5 REASONS YOUR LLC SHOULD USE SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media is, without a doubt, becoming a major player in the business world. If you need some convincing, consider this: as of last year, around three-fourths of all Fortune 500 companies had an active presence on major social media platforms. These are companies with unlimited resources to spend on advertising, and a huge part of that effort is now participatory and actively being funneled into highly shareable media like Facebook and Twitter.

This strategy is also becoming indispensable for smaller, independently-owned enterprises.

If you’re a small business owner, there are, quite literally, hundreds of reasons to forge a presence on social media. We’ll keep it simple; here are a few of the top reasons to consider.

Going Social is Inexpensive

If you’re new to the business world, the odds are good that you’re operating on a slim promotional budget. Social media is a great way for home-based businesses with limited start-up resources to get themselves “out there.” These platforms allow business owners to deliver targeted messages without having to spend large amounts of money on traditional or print advertising. What’s more, unlike traditional advertising, social media messages are interactive; they have the power to begin a dialogue between your company and potential customers.

Going Social Creates Business Awareness

Many independently-owned new businesses are formed right in a person’s home office or living room - but social media can work around that! Cultivating a strong social image raises awareness of your business’ existence and the services offered. You can showcase your expertise and services with tips and advice through social media and generate a customer base - even from your family room.

Going Social Finds Your Target Audience

Billions of people are on social media…yes, billions. With that volume of users, it goes without  saying that they’re an easy way to find the right customers. By joining different industry-specific groups on social media, you’ll find it’s easier to find people in your target audience and reach out to them. Invite them to learn more about your company - start a social media conversation!

Going Social Increases Your Online Presence

Not only does being social have benefits in and of itself, but if you do it properly, you’ll bring those very same users to your website. Many home-based businesses rely on their website to act as the face of their business - and social media can direct users right to it. The result? A boost in SEO, and greater odds that new business will find you in the future!

Going Social Kickstarts Business Events

Many home-based businesses launch their brand by hosting parties or events to promote their products. Social media is a really easy means for promoting and inviting your friends and associates to join you. Those contacts can, in turn, invite their friends and associates to learn more about your event. After all, the best and most trusted form of advertising is organic promotion from others!

This is a brief list; the reasons to go social with your home or independent business are as varied as there are businesses in the world. Have you used social media to promote your business? What has worked for you? Leave us a comment and let us in on your thoughts!

Client Profile: Guytano Magno Photography

Here at Safe Shield, our business success is reflected perfectly in the successes of our clients. Today, we’re profiling Guytano Magno - the owner and head photographer of Guytano Magno Photography.

Magno has made quite a name for himself - and expanded his business - in a relatively short amount of time. Magno has been shooting weddings for the better part of a decade, but made the decision to create an entity and formalize his photography business three years ago.

Magno cites several reasons for forming his own business. He says he’s always been an adventurous, independent person, so the idea of starting something of his own - something without limitations - has always been very appealing.

“I don’t feel like I have a ceiling…in any capacity,” Magno explains. “The only thing that will hinder the growth of the business is me.”

Magno also appreciates the flexibility that comes with being able to craft his own work schedule.

“I work much harder now, but I have the control to take time off whenever I choose,” Magno says. “This is a huge blessing when it comes to helping my wife raise our beautiful son -  I love slow mornings when the 3 of us get to spend time together at the house.”

This blessing, however, does not come without cost. Magno says, as a business owner, he faces unique challenges all the time - many related to growth.

“If your business never grows or changes, you can stay put in the same structures you’ve always had,” Magno explains. “But, if you are growing and adapting, you will need to figure out how to do that in a way that is right and healthy.”

Magno says Safe Shield has been an integral part of making those growing pains manageable. While he’s only been working with Safe Shield for a few months, Magno says, since then, he’s developed a subsidiary business under the umbrella of the main business, hired a new employee, and remodeled his studio. Magno says Safe Shield's services have given him the structure and support he’s needed during this busy time. “All of these things take planning and structuring. Safe Shield has been invaluable in doing those things well.”

We have little doubt Guytano Magno Photography will continue to boom. The proof is in what Magno told us when asked what the future holds.

“I would like to go to the moon…or anything else equally ambitious.” Safe Shield is very excited to be along for the ride!

4 HOME-BASED BUSINESSES TO KEEP AN EYE ON

When it comes to self-employment, perhaps no other industry has provided quite the volume of opportunities as direct sales businesses. In fact, Women’s Day Magazine reports that, in 2009, over 16 million Americans generated more than 28 billion dollars in revenue from these home-based, consultation and party-style enterprises.

Some names - Avon, Mary Kay, Amway - are those you’ve probably heard. These are companies that have been granting extra income to home-based entrepreneurs for decades. But, there’s a whole new crop of direct-sales companies rising in popularity.

If you’re one of the millions of people kicking around the idea of joining this industry, take a peek at this list of 4 up-and-coming companies you might want to look into.

YOUNIQUE COSMETICS

Founded in 2012, this direct-sales cosmetics company has been expanding rapidly with an extensive inventory of natural cosmetics. Distributors, called “presenters,” typically make sales via an online presence, along with home and online demonstration parties. Online research finds presenters need to spend $99 on a start-up kit, and can expect to make a 25% commission on sales. Basically, $1,000 in sales nets the seller about $150.

THIRTY-ONE GIFTS

According to their website, Thirty-One Gifts formed 10 years ago “with a simple goal of helping women by giving them an opportunity to own their own business.” The business boasts a wide-ranging inventory with everything from handbags to stationary to creative storage solutions - and a nationwide consultant force of over 80,000. While not as new as some of our profiled companies, Thirty-One Gifts has staying power; it ranked 5th for fastest-growing Multi-Level-Marketing (MLM) companies in 2011, with over $100 million in profit.

JAMBERRY NAILS

This direct-seller, formed in 2010, has seen marked success with women by selling ready-to-wear decorative nail strips. Like all reputable work-at-home businesses, Jamberry has an online presence for customers to shop without a sales agent. However, the company employs thousands of sellers around the US who actually stand to earn a fair amount through commission. After a $99 startup cost, a Jamberry consultant will earn 30% commission from all sales.

LILLA ROSE

While not particularly new when compared to other direct-sales companies, Lilla Rose bears mentioning simply because it’s got a solid reputation. The business formed in 1992, selling all varieties of hair accessories. Like many other home-based businesses, consultants are encouraged to host parties to lure more customers and possibly consultants. The model has worked well for them; according to Find the Best, Lilla Rose consultants earn a 40% sales commission, one of the highest in the direct-sales universe.

Direct sales is a huge empire, and folks interested in venturing into it are not going to have trouble finding a product or company that interests them. Are you self-employed as a direct sales consultant? What’s the experience like for you? Leave us a comment below - and good luck!