Starting Your Own Business: Legal Considerations

Are you tired of working for other people, tired of having to answer to someone else, tired of having to conform to someone else's business hours, or tired of having to put up with the mundane details of someone else's management strategy? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not alone! You are about to join the ranks of hundreds of your predecessors and your peers who chose to leave their employers behind and strike out on their own.



Entrepreneurs are a vital part of our nation's economy; growth and advancement would be slow without them. If you are thinking about starting your own business, the team at the Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. is here to support you along every step of the way. Starting your own business at the Lake of the Ozarks can be unbelievably rewarding, but it does carry a considerable amount of legal considerations and requirements. Our experienced business attorneys are here to help guide you through some of these challenges.


Business Entities

One of the very first decisions you'll have to make is how you want to incorporate your business. There are several different options to choose from, including C-corporation, S-corporation, partnership, sole-proprietorship, or limited liability company. See our previous blog to learn more about the different types of business entities you can choose from.

Business Name

You will also have to choose what to name your business. This is an important step not only for the set-up and incorporation, but also for the branding of your business. You will want to choose a name that will stick in your customers' minds and clearly differentiate your business from your competition. Once you choose the name you want, you will have to register it with the Missouri Secretary Of State.

Business Licenses

The exact requirements vary from business type to business type, but many businesses require some form of licencing or registration to operate legally. At a bare minimum, you need to be registered to legally operate a business in the state and have documented tax registration. Depending on your type of business, you may need additional licensing. 

Confidentiality Contracts

Starting your own business is takes a lot of time and hard work. The last thing you want to do is make yourself vulnerable to individuals who might try to take advantage of your hard work and use it for their own advantage. Before you enter into agreements with other business professionals or hire any employees, it's important to carefully draft an all-encompassing confidentiality agreement to protect yourself. Your Lake of the Ozarks business attorney will be able to help you do this.

Zoning Laws

If you are establishing a business that will require you to purchase or build on real property, zoning laws are an important consideration. Zoning laws regulate what types of businesses are allowed to operate in certain areas. Zoning laws are constantly changing, so it may be unwise to assume that you will be able to operate your business in your desired location just because a similar business is already operating there. It's important to do your research ahead of time!

Our Experienced Business Attorneys Can Help!
These five considerations are important, but they barely scratch the surface of the vast array of legal challenges awaiting new entrepreneurs. Protect your investment in your new company by consulting with an experienced business lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks before the process really gets underway. We would be honored to help you pursue your dream of starting your own business!


Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising. When you need a knowledgeable attorney, we invite you to contact us to set up a consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available. We have access to interpreters.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.


85 Court Circle N.W., P.O. Box 559
Camdenton, MO 65020   GET A MAP
(573) 346-7231 - Telephone
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(573) 346-4411 - Fax

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