The last couple of days have been all about tackling the intricacies of incorporating a company. It’s been an eye-opening journey into the technicalities of U.S. business formation: choosing the right state, the appropriate company structure, and the sequence of steps to get everything in place.

Why Delaware and LLC?

After evaluating various options, I landed on Delaware and an LLC structure as the best fit for my needs. Delaware’s reputation as the gold standard for startups, thanks to its business-friendly laws and minimal red tape, made the decision easy. I did briefly consider Nevada out of personal attachment (I spent several years in Las Vegas and have a soft spot for the state), but Delaware’s advantages outweighed nostalgia.

Choosing a Service Provider

I ultimately decided to go with Stripe Atlas to handle the incorporation process. Admittedly, their reviews on platforms like TrustPilot aren’t glowing, but I’ve worked with Stripe before and had no major issues. For me, reviews matter — they’re a helpful guide, but I know to approach them with a healthy dose of skepticism, given the potential for fake reviews or overblown negativity.

There are plenty of alternatives to Stripe Atlas. Here’s a quick list of the other platforms I explored:

1. Firstbase
2. ZenBusiness
3. Doola
4. LegalZoom

I was seriously considering ZenBusiness — they’ve built a great reputation for streamlining the process and providing excellent customer support. However, a small logistical hurdle got in the way: they require a U.S. phone number, and I don’t currently have one (nor do I want to bother with getting one). So, back to Stripe Atlas it was.

Hidden Gems: Bonus Perks for Startups

One thing worth noting is the bonus perks that incorporation services often include. For example, many platforms offer discounts or free trials on popular tools for startups. Stripe Atlas partners with platforms like Webflow, which I’m already using to build my site. Here’s one such offer that caught my eye:

"Top startups use Webflow to design, develop, and iterate faster. Get 50% off an annual CMS site plan and 100% off a template to build and grow your website."

Offers like these can save thousands of dollars, which is a game-changer if you’re bootstrapping or working solo. With the right preparation, you might not even need a budget to get your MVP off the ground — many essential tools can be accessed for free during the first year.

Weekend Goals

With the incorporation process moving along, I’m turning my focus back to the core tasks:

1. Drafting a strategy for December's content marathon.
2. Polishing the mobile version of the site.
3. Recommitting to YouTube, even though it’s been an uphill battle.
4. Setting up a Calendar with Focus Time spots.

What’s Next?

I’m planning a detailed post about the company formation process soon, including all the nitty-gritty nuances you’ll want to know if you’re considering setting up in the U.S. For now, it feels great to make progress on the business side of things, even if the past few days have slowed my design work.

Remember, as a solopreneur, small wins like securing useful perks can make a massive difference in the long run. Stay tuned!

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