Critical Mass Blog

💸 The Real Cost of Starting an LLC

Fred Marino

Published on: 17/11/2025

💸 The Real Cost of Starting an LLC (Spoiler: It’s Not Just Filing Fees) So, you’ve decided to start your business — congrats, CEO! 🥳 You’ve got the name picked out, the dream, the drive, and now you’re ready to make it official. And then someone says, “You just have to pay the filing fee.” Ah, yes. The filing fee. The sweet little government number that sounds like the whole cost… until it isn’t. Let’s talk about what it really costs to start an LLC — and what nobody tells you before you swipe your card.

🏁 Starting Your Business: From Idea to Formation

💼 From Side Hustle to LLC: When It’s Time to Make It Official

Fred Marino

Published on: 17/11/2025

💼 From Side Hustle to LLC: When It’s Time to Make It Official (Because your “little thing on the side” just got serious) Let’s be honest: what started as a “fun little side gig” has officially gotten out of hand. You said you’d sell a few T-shirts, bake some cookies, or take a couple of freelance gigs — and suddenly, you’re making more money than your day job. Your Venmo looks like a stock ticker. Your “temporary logo” has been on your Instagram for 18 months. And your mom’s starting to introduce you as “a business owner.” Welcome, my friend, to the moment where your side hustle becomes a real business. It’s time to stop hiding behind “just for fun” and file those three little letters that make it official: LLC.

🚀 Growth, Momentum & Scaling

⚖️ LLC vs. S-Corp: Which One Deserves Your Signature?

Fred Marino

Published on: 05/11/2025

⚖️ LLC vs. S-Corp: Which One Deserves Your Signature? (Spoiler: It depends on how fancy your business is — and how allergic you are to taxes.) So, you’ve decided to finally make your business official. Congratulations! 🎉 You’re ready to stop being “that person Venmoing themselves for work” and start acting like the CEO you already tell your friends you are. But now you’ve hit the paperwork wall — that eternal small business question: Should I start an LLC or an S-Corp? Let’s be honest. At this point, you’ve probably Googled it, gotten five different answers, and now you’re questioning every life choice that led to this moment. Don’t worry — I’ve got you. Let’s break it down without the legal mumbo jumbo, and figure out which one actually deserves your signature.

🏁 Starting Your Business: From Idea to Formation

🏁 Your LLC Is Formed — Now What?

Fred Marino

Published on: 03/11/2025

🏁 Your LLC Is Formed — Now What? 7 Next Steps Nobody Tells You About Congratulations! You just formed your LLC. 🎉 You’ve got the official papers, the fancy state seal, and maybe even a celebratory selfie holding your Articles of Organization. So… now what? Here’s the secret: forming an LLC is just the beginning — not the finish line. Think of it like buying gym shoes — the shoes don’t get you fit; the work does. Let’s walk through the seven steps nobody tells you about once your LLC is official — the ones that turn a piece of paper into a real, fundable business.

⚙️ Running & Structuring Your Business