Small business start up advice

[Joe]

The LLC is meant to limit tax and personal liability. I don't think there is much inherent liability in the wholesale produce business.

In this economy, I'd limit my start-up costs and start the business as a sole proprietorship. If it works and your business becomes profitable, then at that point, re-evaluate. Skip the lawyer bill and skip the insurance until the business is viable to the point where it is necessary.

There are tax benefits to an LLC when compared to a sole proprietorship, but you won't realize them unless you earn enough where taxes are an issue. From what I understand about an LLC, you have to put yourself on a salary - which can be an issue if you want to access your business money for personal use.

The biggest issue to worry about is extending credit to dealers. I don't know if dealers would pay C.O.D. or you would be extending credit. I've seen under-capitalized businesses fail because one dealer got into them for a lot of money, and then left them holding the bag.