Business ideas and what each one takes to file
Pick the kind of business you are starting. You will see what the filing costs, and for 60 of the 145 types, a full guide to what comes after it.
What filing costs
- LLC formation
- $123.75 plus your state fee
- Registered agent, year one
- $74.25 a year, through our partner
- EIN filing
- $41.25 with a U.S. SSN, $165 without
One flat formation fee, the same in every state, with the state fee quoted live before you pay. Prices as of October 2026. Registered agent service is provided by our partner, Registered Agents Inc.
The directory
145 business types across 14 categories. Every one starts with the same LLC filing. 60 of them link to a full guide that lists the registrations, licenses and insurance that business usually needs.
Filter business types by category
- All business types 145
- Home & Property 11
- Professional Services 10
- Food & Hospitality 13
- Retail & E-commerce 13
- Health, Beauty & Wellness 12
- Trades & Industrial 10
- Education & Training 11
- Creative & Media 11
- Events & Entertainment 10
- Finance & Insurance 10
- Technology & Software 11
- Pets & Animal Care 10
- Auto & Transport 8
- Real Estate 5
Cards marked Full guide list the filings from our industry guide. For the others, plan on a local business license and an EIN, and check your state's licensing board.
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Full guide
House Cleaning
Residential cleaning, sold by the hour or by the visit.
What it takes
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Lawn Care
Mowing, trimming and seasonal yard work, usually on a recurring route.
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Full guide
Handyman
Small repair and installation jobs, billed by the project.
What it takes
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Full guide
Painting & Decorating
Interior and exterior painting, trim and wallpaper.
What it takes
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Full guide
Plumbing
Pipes, drains, water heaters and fixtures.
What it takes
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Full guide
Moving & Junk Removal
Household moves, hauling and estate cleanouts.
What it takes
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Interior Design & Staging
Room plans, furniture layout and staging for homes that are for sale.
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Home Inspection
Walk-through inspections and written reports for buyers, sellers and agents.
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Pool & Spa Service
Cleaning, chemicals and repairs for residential pools and spas.
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Locksmith
Lock changes, rekeying and emergency access for homes and businesses.
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Full guide
Pest Control
Insect, rodent and termite treatment for homes and businesses.
What it takes
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Full guide
Bookkeeping & Accounting
Books, payroll and tax prep for other small businesses.
What it takes
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Full guide
Business Consulting
Advice sold by the hour, by the project or on a retainer.
What it takes
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Legal Services
Contract review, filings and counsel for clients who need a licensed attorney.
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Architecture & Design
Drawings, permit sets and interior design for homes and small commercial work.
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Full guide
Marketing & Advertising
Campaigns, content and paid media for clients.
What it takes
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Full guide
IT & Managed Services
Network, cloud and security support for small offices.
What it takes
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Full guide
Recruiting & Staffing
Filling open roles for employers and placing candidates with them.
What it takes
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Translation & Interpretation
Documents and live interpreting for clients who work in a second language.
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Full guide
Notary & Document Services
Notarizing, certified copies and apostille work for people who cannot travel.
What it takes
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Full guide
Security Guard Services
Guards, patrols and loss prevention for local clients.
What it takes
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Full guide
Coffee Shop
Espresso, brewed drinks and a small food menu.
What it takes
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Full guide
Full-Service Restaurant
Table service, a full kitchen and alcohol service.
What it takes
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Full guide
Catering
Prepared food served at events, offices and weddings.
What it takes
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Full guide
Food Truck
A mobile kitchen that works events and daily stops.
What it takes
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Full guide
Bakery
Baked goods sold over the counter and by the box.
What it takes
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Mobile Bartending
Bar service at weddings, parties and corporate events.
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Delivery-Only Kitchen
A kitchen that cooks for delivery apps and several brands at once.
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Juice & Smoothie Bar
Cold-pressed juice, smoothies and protein drinks over the counter.
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Wine Bar & Tasting Room
By-the-glass pours and tasting flights for a small room of guests.
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Ice Cream & Frozen Treats
Scoops and small-batch pints pulled from a freezer.
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Full guide
Brewery
Beer brewed on site and sold in a taproom or to distributors.
What it takes
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Full guide
Winery
Wine made and sold from your own vineyard or crush facility.
What it takes
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Full guide
Distillery
Spirits distilled on site and sold by the bottle or through distributors.
What it takes
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Full guide
Online Store
Products sold from a website or a marketplace.
What it takes
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Boutique & Apparel
Clothing and accessories sold in a small storefront.
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Specialty Grocery
Shelf-stable goods and fresh produce in a storefront.
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Pet Supply Store
Food, toys and supplies for animals.
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Hardware & Building Supply
Tools, lumber and fasteners sold over a local counter.
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Vintage & Resale
Second-hand goods bought in and sold on.
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Furniture & Home Goods
Sofas, tables and shelving for rooms that are being set up.
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Jewelry & Fine Goods
Rings, stones and small pieces sold with a certificate of authenticity.
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Bookshop & Stationery
New and used books, cards and paper goods sold from a shop.
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Sporting Goods & Outfitters
Equipment, apparel and rental gear for the outdoors.
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Full guide
Amazon FBA
Products sold on Amazon and shipped from its warehouses.
What it takes
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Full guide
Import & Export
Goods bought abroad and sold here, or shipped out to buyers overseas.
What it takes
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Full guide
Vending Machines
Snack, drink and specialty machines placed in other people's locations.
What it takes
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Full guide
Personal Training
One-on-one or small-group coaching sessions.
What it takes
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Massage Therapy
Therapeutic massage in a studio or on the move.
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Dental Practice
Preventive and restorative dentistry.
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Physical Therapy Clinic
Rehabilitation and movement care for patients.
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Yoga & Pilates Studio
Classes, mats and studio memberships.
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Wellness Coaching
Coaching on habits, nutrition and routine, one client at a time.
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Optometry & Eyewear
Eye exams, lenses and frames for patients who need a licensed optometrist.
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Full guide
Home Care Agency
Non-medical help at home: personal care, errands and companionship.
What it takes
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Nutrition & Dietetics
Meal plans and nutrition counseling written by a licensed dietitian.
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Recovery & Cryotherapy Studio
Recovery sessions sold by the slot in a small studio.
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Full guide
Hair Salon
Cuts, color and styling in a shop you run or rent chairs in.
What it takes
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Full guide
Barbershop
Cuts, shaves and beard work, often with barbers renting chairs.
What it takes
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Full guide
General Contracting
Build-outs, remodels and small commercial jobs.
What it takes
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Full guide
Electrical Contracting
Residential and commercial electrical work.
What it takes
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Full guide
Trucking & Freight
Local and regional hauling for other businesses.
What it takes
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Full guide
Landscaping & Tree Service
Planting, irrigation and tree care.
What it takes
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Welding & Fabrication
Custom metalwork, repairs and fabrication.
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Solar Installation
Rooftop and ground solar for homes and businesses.
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Full guide
HVAC Contracting
Heating and air conditioning installed and serviced for buildings.
What it takes
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Full guide
Roofing & Siding
Roof repairs, replacements and siding on houses and small buildings.
What it takes
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Equipment Rental
Tools, trailers and machinery rented out by the day or the week.
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Manufacturing & Assembly
Small-batch parts made to order for other businesses.
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Full guide
Tutoring & Test Prep
One-on-one tutoring and exam prep for students and their parents.
What it takes
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Language School
Classes in a second language for adults, students and staff teams.
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Online Course Creator
Courses and lesson plans sold online to self-paced learners.
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Music Lessons & Studio
Private lessons, group classes and practice room rentals.
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Corporate Training
Workshops and team sessions booked by businesses.
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Driving School
Behind-the-wheel instruction and road test prep for new drivers.
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STEM Lab & Workshops
Hands-on science and robotics workshops sold to schools and families.
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Art & Craft Workshops
Studio classes in painting, ceramics and printmaking.
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Camp & After-School Programs
Week-long and daily programs for kids over school breaks.
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Teacher Training & Coaching
Professional development for teachers and school staff.
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Full guide
Daycare & Child Care
Licensed care for children in a center or at home.
What it takes
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Full guide
Photography
Shoots for couples, families and small businesses, plus prints.
What it takes
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Full guide
Videography & Editing
Event video, interviews and edited cuts for small brands.
What it takes
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Full guide
Graphic Design Studio
Brand, packaging and marketing design for small businesses.
What it takes
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Copywriting & Content
Web copy, emails and articles sold by the piece or the month.
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Voice Over & Narration
Voice work for ads, audiobooks and phone systems.
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Podcast Production
Recording, editing and hosting for shows that need a producer.
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Printing & Signage
Banners, decals and printed pieces for local businesses.
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Social Media Management
Content calendars and posting run for brands that would rather not post themselves.
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Book Publishing & Editorial
Editing, cover design and print runs for self-published authors.
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Music Production
Beats, mixes and master audio for other artists and brands.
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Full guide
Content Creator
Videos, posts and streams paid for by sponsors, ads and platform revenue.
What it takes
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Full guide
Event & Wedding Planning
Full or partial planning for weddings and other events.
What it takes
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Event & Party Rentals
Tents, tables, chairs and decor rented out for events.
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DJ & Live Music
Music for weddings, parties and club nights.
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Lighting & Production
Lighting, sound and stage tech for events and productions.
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Event Staffing & Security
Event staff and licensed security for venues and promoters.
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Event Florals
Arrangements, centerpieces and bouquets for venues and couples.
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Photo Booth
Booths and props for weddings, parties and brand events.
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Meeting & Event Facilitation
Facilitated sessions and on-site logistics for company offsites.
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Ticket Sales & Promotion
Tickets and promotion for clubs, shows and local events.
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Space & Venue Rental
Space rented by the hour or the day for shoots, meetings and events.
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Full guide
Insurance Agency
Policies written for individuals and small businesses through carriers.
What it takes
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Full guide
Tax Preparation
Returns filed for individuals and small businesses before the deadline.
What it takes
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Mortgage Broker
Loans matched to borrowers, with the lender doing the underwriting.
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Financial Coaching
Money habits, debt payoff and savings plans built with clients one session at a time.
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Payroll Processing
Payroll runs and paystubs handled for small employers.
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Money Services
Check cashing, bill payment and transfers for walk-in clients.
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Investment Advisory
Model portfolios and advice for individuals and small trusts.
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Retirement Plan Administration
Set-up and upkeep of 401(k) and simple retirement plans for small employers.
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Fractional CFO
Part-time financial leadership for owners who need a CFO rather than a bookkeeper.
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Financial Statement Preparation
Profit and loss, balance sheet and cash-flow statements prepared for clients.
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Full guide
Software Development
Web apps, integrations and internal tools built for clients.
What it takes
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QA & Software Testing
Test plans, automation and release checks for teams shipping software.
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Managed Hosting & DevOps
Servers, databases and uptime monitored on behalf of other businesses.
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Cybersecurity Consulting
Security reviews, hardening and incident response for small teams.
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Mobile App Development
iOS and Android apps, from prototype through store release.
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Website Design & Build
Marketing sites, storefronts and CMS setups for small businesses.
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Store Operations & Fulfilment
Packing, shipping, listings and customer service for online sellers.
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Data & Analytics
Dashboards, reporting and measurement for companies with data but no reading of it.
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Technical Writing
Manuals, help docs and SOPs written for software products and teams.
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AI & Automation Consulting
Workflow automation, assistants and model setups for back-office work.
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Full guide
Drone Services
Aerial photography, mapping and inspections flown under FAA Part 107.
What it takes
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Full guide
Pet Grooming
Baths, haircuts and nail trims, by appointment or walk-in.
What it takes
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Dog Boarding & Daycare
Overnight boarding and day care for pets while owners work or travel.
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Dog Training & Behavior
Obedience and puppy classes, private or in groups.
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Pet Walking & Drop-Ins
Scheduled walks and short visits to pets at home.
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Mobile Veterinary Care
House calls and mobile exams for pets that do not travel well.
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Pet Sitting & Overnight Care
Boarding and overnight stays in a sitter's own home for pets whose owners travel.
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Pet Transport
Trips to vets, groomers and boarding for pet owners who cannot drive.
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Pet Memorial Services
Private cremation and keepsakes for families and veterinary clinics.
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Animal Rescue & Sanctuary
Foster, intake and rehoming for animals that need a temporary home.
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Equine Services
Boarding, lessons and daily care for horses and their owners.
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Full guide
Auto Repair Shop
Brakes, engines and diagnostics for customers' cars.
What it takes
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Full guide
Mobile Detailing
Washing, polishing and interior cleaning in the customer's driveway.
What it takes
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Full guide
Courier & Delivery
Local pickups and drop-offs by van, car or bike.
What it takes
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Full guide
Freight Brokerage
Matching shippers with carriers without owning a truck.
What it takes
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Full guide
Hotshot Trucking
Expedited loads hauled on a pickup and gooseneck trailer.
What it takes
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Full guide
Limo & Passenger Transport
Chauffeured rides for airports, weddings and corporate clients.
What it takes
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Full guide
Towing Company
Roadside tows, recovery and impound work.
What it takes
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Full guide
Used Car Dealership
Buying and reselling vehicles from a licensed lot.
What it takes
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Full guide
Rental Property
A house or unit you own and rent out long term.
What it takes
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Full guide
Short-Term Rental
Nightly or weekly stays listed on booking platforms.
What it takes
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Full guide
House Flipping
Buying, renovating and reselling homes.
What it takes
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Full guide
Property Management
Running rentals for owners: tenants, rent and repairs.
What it takes
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Full guide
Real Estate Agent
Representing buyers and sellers under a licensed brokerage.
What it takes
We do not have that category
The address you opened carries a category name we do not recognize. Nothing was lost, and the full directory is still here.
Browse all 145 business typesAll 145 business types are listed below.
Licenses and permits are set by your state and your city, not by us. A card marked Full guide lists what that business usually needs; for the rest, the note above the directory gives the general answer. Check with the agency that issues yours before you rely on it. The guides also live on their own page: LLC by industry.
See the fee for your state, or put the deadlines on a calendar once the entity exists.
How the filing works
Choose the business
Pick the type that matches what you will actually sell. The entity is the same either way, but the licenses on top of it are not.
File the formation
We file the Articles of Organization with your state for a flat $123.75. Your state fee is quoted before you pay.
Get an EIN and open an account
The IRS issues the EIN free. We file it for $41.25 if you have a U.S. SSN. Banks ask for the EIN and the formation documents together, so have both ready.
Questions people ask before filing
Do I need an LLC to start this business?
Which state should I form the LLC in?
How much does it really cost to get started?
Do I need a business license or permit too?
What happens after the LLC is filed?
Found your type? File the LLC
One flat formation fee, the state fee quoted before you pay, and an EIN filing for $41.25 if you have a U.S. SSN.
This page is general information. It is not legal, tax, or financial advice, and license requirements change. Check with the agency that issues yours.