iNET Web Bashing

iNET Web is a website design and development company based in Waukesha, Wisconsin. They are mainly focused in the Milwaukee market, but are also involved on the state (Wisconsin) level as well.

Let this be the first video bashing I ever undertake. You can make a decision of whether you want to get a website designed from them after you’ve watched it, the choice is up to you. I personally will NEVER recommend them for any reason whatsoever.

Here is the link to the video and my personal story: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1904450

Have you read why iNET Web’s Marketing Fails? I think you’ll be more than surprised.

#96: The Next Step, Dale Beaumont Part 1, and Google Chrome OS

Interview Special!

Sponsored by GoToMeeting, try it FREE for 30 days: http://www.gotomeeting.com/techpodcasts

It is smack in the middle of the night, and I am releasing this episode a couple days behind schedule. Oh well, such is my life eh? ;P

Finances: The Next Step

Bouncing off of Episode #95, You aren’t going anywhere if you are standing still. Have you taken that next step?

Business: Dale Beaumont Interview Part 1

I was introduced to Dale via Twitter. Once I read his personal site and found out he does video posts over at GetPublishedTV.com, I was hooked. Hear how he wrote his first book at the age of 19 and what inspired him to do so.

http://www.secretsexposed.com.au/

Technology: Google Chrome OS

Yup, Google has kicked in another door. This one being the OS on netbooks. Take a listen!

http://www.pcworld.com/article/168628/googles_chrome_os_may_fail_even_as_it_changes_computing_forever.html

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Lets continue the conversation, comment below or use these options:

• Toll Free Comment Line: 1-866-867(TMP)-2860
• Send me an e-mail.
• @taylormarek me on Twitter
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/taylormarek

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:04 — 30.3MB)

How to start an LLC

This could also be titled, “How to File an LLC Yourself”, but I decided against it…

• For anyone interested, this is the exact steps I did to create my company.

If you want to go the easy route, “fill in the blank” option, may I recommend LegalZoom.com?

The first thing you need to do is figure out what your small business will be about. Have that down pat first. LLC’s tend to work for “small businesses” and the “entrepreneur type” in the beginning. As you grow and mature your company, you can look into Corporations for a business structure.

I wanted to create a website design company about 5 years ago, but didn’t have the money to invest in a lawyer to write up and file the documents. My dad did the same thing with his home repair company, but I wanted to see if I could file the papers myself and save a boatload of money. Turns out I could, it just takes attention to details and double checking everything before you send it off.

After I decided on what I wanted to do, I had to think of a name. I thought up of a couple ideas, clever name twists, and wrote them down on paper.

After I had a list of possible names, I googled each one in quotation brackets to see if it pulled up in a search result. If it did, I would cross it off. If it didn’t, I would visit GoDaddy and see if the domain name was taken. If it was, I would cross it off the list. If it wasn’t, I would then go to my states DFI (Dept. of Financial Institutions) website (In this case, I live in WI, so I would go here): http://wdfi.org/ and “Search Business Records” there. If the name pulled up in their records, I would cross it off. If it didn’t, I would consider that a possible name for my LLC. It took me roughly a week doing it this route, but I’m glad I did. I found a really good name, and it made perfect sense to me (meaning it had an inside meaning that only I knew).

I then went to register my LLC in my States (WI in this case) DFI records. I clicked on the “Create a Corporation or LLC” link, and clicked “Limited Liability Company – Wisconsin”. This may or may not be different in the state you live in, and the laws governing that DFI, so always browse your States DFI website first.

For Wisconsin, they have a “What You Need” list, so be sure you have all the information and payment they need before you file. Also be sure to read and double read over the information and the steps they give you, you don’t want to make a mistake and have to pay for it to be corrected later.

Once you have all that information, click the “start filing link” and fill in the information they ask you to provide. Once that is finished, and you have paid your respective fee, print off the confirmation receipt and information and hold onto it! You will usually get an e-mail within a week saying your LLC was filed and accepted. In that e-mail, you will be provided with a link to the “Official Articles of Organization”. Print them off, and guard them with your life! That, and file them away with all your other important papers, and know where they are at all times. There are occasions you will need to pull them out, like making a copy for creating a business banking account, but for the most part they will sit in one area.

Taking this route, I only had to pay $130 for my LLC. There is an annual fee and report I have to provide my states DFI with every year, but it goes pretty smoothly. I saved having to pay $100-$1k+ because I filed it myself!

So, that’s how I did it, and saved money in the process. What route did you take or are planning on going? Comment below and lets get a conversation started around this.

A couple tips for LLC’s:

When you file, file as a “member managed LLC”. You could go for “Manager managed LLC”, but then there is the possibility of a LLP or Partnership problem down the road.

Also, you have to use LLC/ a limited liability company/limited liability co. when you mention your company. You can’t just use the name alone, except when buying the domain name for the company. I prefer to use the LLC option to make it shorter and easier to remember.

Here is another point a friend e-mailed me!

(7-28-09)Scott L.: An LLC is organized, not incorporated. Corporations are incorporated.

Have anything you would like to add regarding LLC’s?

Hope this post helps!

Panasonic Plasma Update

I mentioned in Episode #85 of my podcast about the Panasonic Plasma 103inch television. Well, I have an update to that.

I’m a little behind on posting this, but this is roughly a years span from when I first talked about it, to some news coming out about it.

Panasonic is slashing the price on this gigantic tv. And not just by a couple hundred bucks. By at least 20 grand!

Finding itself in the odd position of selling a suddenly low-end 103-inch 1080p plasma, Panasonic has responded by cutting the price of the professional model TH-103PF10UK by $20,000 to a mere $50,000.

What do you guys think? Here is the link to the full story:

http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/05/08/panasonic-slashes-price-of-103-inch-plasma/

You will be known by these 4 things

Did you know that during your life, as well as afterwards, you will be known by these 4 things?

1. What you follow after
2. What you fight for
3. What you flee from
4. Who you put your faith in

How will this change the way YOU do things? How will this affect your Life? Lets start a conversation below. First person that does will WIN in life. Are you that person?

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