There's No Place Like Home for Many Americans to Start a Business
LegalZoom Surveys Current and Future Entrepreneurs for National Start a Business Month
| Source: LegalZoom
LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - February 10, 2010) - While long-term job losses continue to make
headlines, many Americans have stopped waiting to see what's next and are
creating their own opportunities in areas they know best. In time for
February's National Start a
Business Month, LegalZoom.com surveyed 1000 Americans to learn more
about their entrepreneurial ambitions. Their findings: when it comes to
starting a business, the most popular choices hit close to home.
When asked what their perfect business would be, the most popular response,
20% of the survey, was to own a restaurant or bar. "It makes sense that
opening a restaurant or bar is at the top of the list. People love to cook
and entertain at home. The entrepreneur who can transform a personal skill
into a viable business model holds a key part of the recipe for success,"
said Brian Liu, Co-founder and Chair of LegalZoom.com.
Professional consultant practices are the second most wished for
entrepreneurial option, 12% of the survey selected this choice. Consultants
often work from home and enjoy less overhead than a restaurant. A
successful practice may require an investment in education, training, and
on-the-job experience -- something many would-be self-employed consultants
already have thanks to years of working for somebody else. Three
professions round out the survey's top five most-desired business
start-ups: inventor (10%), professional contractor (8%) and performing
artist (7%).
When it comes to ownership, 88% of the survey respondents plan on keeping
their business in the family; working as a single owner, a husband and wife
team, or in partnership with adult children. Most of these respondents said
their ideal businesses would be home-based (62%) or online (21%).
To begin the journey to financial independence, each of these new business
owners will have to successfully navigate the formal start-up process. "A
great idea can't succeed in the long-term without taking the right legal
steps to create a solid business," said John Suh, CEO of LegalZoom.com. "LegalZoom.com makes basic start-up
legal documents quick, easy and affordable. While the entrepreneur focuses
on creating their product or service and attracting customers, they
can rest assured knowing they have protected themselves and their
intellectual property by having the proper legal documents in place.
In keeping with the theme, LegalZoom empowers entrepreneurs to form an LLC, Inc. or
DBA from the comfort of their home with an easy to use online process.
Plus:
-- LegalZoom offers a comprehensive Education Center to answer many
questions about different business formations, legal requirements and asset
protection.
-- The site makes it easy to protect your intellectual property with a patent,
copyright and trademark. Instead of finding, downloading, filling-out and
mailing-in all of the necessary government forms, simply answer LegalZoom's
easy-to-follow questionnaire and you're well on your way.
-- A proper business entity, whether an LLC, LLP, or Inc. can
give your business credibility, may limit liability, and can generate tax
advantages. From your first declaration, to your grand opening, and
throughout the business life cycle, LegalZoom has the self-help Legal
services entrepreneurs need to start their business within budget and
within the law.
About LegalZoom.com
Launched in 2001 by a founding team that includes famed attorney Robert
Shapiro, LegalZoom.com has become the nation's leading online legal
document company. LegalZoom merges innovative technology with personalized
service to deliver a simple, cost-effective way to take care of common
legal needs. Legal Zoom is not a law firm and can only provide self-help
services at your specific direction. LegalZoom service offerings include:
Wills, Living Wills, Incorporation, LLC Formation, Living Trusts, Powers of
Attorney, Divorce, Small Claims, Trademarks, Patents, and Copyrights.