Central Florida Business Planning Services

Helping Florida Business Owners Enjoy Success

Small businesses offer a great deal of opportunity and wealth. Starting a business can be exciting, but it also comes with risks. Taking the time now to plan for your company’s future can minimize your risks and give you strong goals that propel you through tough times.

When you’ve invested your time, energy, and savings into a business, you probably want to know how to adequately manage your funds and get to the goals you’ve always dreamed of. You should also follow certain steps to ensure your business is protected legally. This includes choosing the proper structure for your small business. You will also need specific documents if you plan on hiring employees, working with other businesses, or renting commercial and residential units.

These legal matters can all seem complicated and overwhelming, especially when you want to hit the ground running and get your business started. However, you don’t have to go through this process alone. When you work with knowledgeable business law attorneys like at Lankford Law Firm, you might find the business planning period to be enjoyable and straightforward.

Our business planning attorney has many years of experience helping small business owners like you grow, start, and sell their companies. We know what it takes to achieve financial success, and we will apply that knowledge to your unique situation. We will spend the time necessary to get to know you and your business goals so we can develop a business plan that meets your needs.

If you own a business in Central Florida, call us today and discover what Lankford Law Firm can do for you! To arrange a case consultation, call 850-888-8992.

What Does a Business Plan Do?

A typical business plan outlines the goals of a job for the next three to five years. It’s a roadmap for the future that puts your company on a firm foundation. Especially in the early stages of a business, you want to avoid the mistakes that sink so many ventures before they ever really get off the ground.

Some examples of functions of a business plan include:

Outlines a structure for your business
Names managers and dictates who has what responsibilities
Specifies your goals and strategy for reaching those goals
Identifies potential issues that could arise and names potential solutions
Helps obtain funding from investors
Works as a marketing tool to attract talented individuals to work with you

When you make Lankford Law Firm your business partner, Attorney Lankford will go through every line of your venture’s plan and strategy to ensure it’s realistic, compliant, and doesn’t leave you unprepared for potential liability. Build your company on solid ground by constructing a solid business plan to guide your business growth and development. The Florida business lawyers with Lankford Law Firm can help small business owners develop a plan that reduces liabilities and fosters optimal growth.

How Can a Business Plan Give My Company a Solid Foundation for the Future?

A professional idea describes your company, vision, and what distinguishes you from your competitors. It describes your products or services and your target demographic(s). A professional idea should also address funding, projected growth and profits, and how your company will be marketed.

With decades of experience in business law, Lankford Law Firm can help you avoid some of the mistakes often made when a professional arrangement is developed. Optimism is good, but a professional arrangement should be based on the hard facts and market realities that potential investors must consider. Additionally, a comprehensive plan must not fail to address possible risks that could lead to lawsuits and litigation in the future.

As your legal counsel and business partner, Attorney Melody Lankford can ensure that your business plan leaves nothing to chance while addressing the concerns of investors and providing a solid basis for your company’s growth. You’ll also have regular access to sound legal advice and comprehensive corporate guidance.

What Are the Most Important Aspects of a Business Plan?

Before writing your business plan, it’s crucial to understand the most essential aspects of this document in order to give your company the best start possible. Part of business plans includes marketing your business to potential investors, employees, and partners, so having a powerful plan can help your company succeed by attracting as much talent as possible.

Some of the main aspects of a Florida business plan are:

Executive summary – This section comes first because it encompasses your business concept, goals, and strategies. You may also address additional matters, such as who your target market is and how you plan to reach them. The executive summary may also go into some detail about your expected costs and profits
Business overview – In the overview, you summarize what your business will do, what problems it will solve, and how you’ll make sales. You may also include what structure you’ll use, such as a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or limited liability company
Goals and vision – You’ll want to go into more detail here about your overall scope and vision for your company. This section is powerful when seeking funding from investors as it puts a heart into your business. You may have more in mind than just money; you can specify whether you hope to provide jobs, solve societal problems, or offer housing options
Marketing – Good business plans include answers about marketing issues, such as your target customers and how you’ll reach them. You could include information about your competition and what competitive advantage you will offer
Organization of your business – One critical aspect of business plans is that they outline how your business will be structured. You can answer questions here about who the company leaders are, what they bring to the organization, what duties each person will have, and how the legal structure will look
Service or product – In this section, you’ll want to discuss the exact products or services you will be selling in your business. You can also bring up why your offering is unique and valuable to potential customers
Financial information – In the financial sections of your business plan, you may address what budgets you will use and provide projections of what you expect as your business grows. Existing business owners can include actual numbers from income, cash flow, gross profits, losses, and more
Final sections – Many business plans include appendices with research, data, and other information to support your business plan. You can also include a request for funding if you plan to share your plan with investors

What Are My Options When Choosing a Business Entity?

Many entrepreneurs have wonderful ideas but fail when it comes to adequately structuring their companies. This crucial step involves some legal knowledge and a bit of planning. When you work with our law firm, you’ll get the legal counsel and support you need to get your company started on the right foot. Our counsel includes guidance on selecting the right entity and structure for your business.

Some legal entities business owners can use in Florida include:

Sole proprietorship – The sole proprietor can set up a business that operates under their own name. This results in a very simple business structure but also opens the owner up to some risks. Your liabilities and assets would be tied into the business name, making you personally liable for the company’s debts. Please seek legal assistance before starting a sole proprietorship to ensure you have the protection you need in your venture
Limited partnership – In a limited partnership, only one partner usually controls most of the company and has unlimited liability. The other partners have less control and less liability
Corporation – There are various forms of corporations, including the S and C corp. These entities have a lot in common, such as offering excellent liability protection for the owners. However, corporations are more difficult to start since they require shareholders, a board of directors, and other legal documentation. However, a corporation can be attractive to investors since it comes with the ability to raise money by selling stocks
Limited liability company – Many small business owners use the limited liability company (LLC) to structure their business because it offers a hybrid of liability protection and simplicity. With an LLC, there is minimal paperwork to get started, and you don’t have to name a board of directors or sell stocks. Reach out to our Central Florida legal team for help getting your LLC going

What Is the Process for Starting a Limited Liability Company?

If you are like many small business owners in Central Florida, you want liability protection without the hassle and expense of starting a corporation. The limited liability company (LLC) provides a great solution for people like you who want to get their business started quickly and easily without the risk of combining your personal and business finances. However, you should be aware of a few crucial steps before beginning your LLC.

Some of the basic steps of starting an LLC in Florida are:

Picking a business name – Naming your business is exciting but should be done thoughtfully. You’ll want to ensure the name presents the proper image and that it is not being currently used by anyone else in Florida
Filing the DBA – A “doing business as” form indicates that your business is separate from your legal name and is crucial to starting a Florida business. Our legal team can help you get the right forms properly filed to ensure you can start doing business without any unnecessary delays
Naming a registered agent – Choosing a registered agent is required in Florida. Your agent can be yourself or a partner, employee, family member, or your lawyer. The registered agent receives mail on your behalf, and their address goes on the public record
Creating and filing articles of organization – As an LLC owner, you are legally required to create articles of organization. Your business attorney can help you navigate this critical aspect of business planning, which includes providing your business’s name, address, registered agent, and so on
Paying fees – Florida has specific regulations requiring fees to file an article of organization and name registered agent. These must be paid to start your LLC

Reach out to our Florida business law firm to see if starting an LLC is right for you and for help throughout the process.

How Can a Lawyer Help Me with Business Formation?

Having a lawyer on your team is critical to starting or expanding your business. Your attorney can help with various aspects of the process from the beginning to when it’s time to sell. You can also rely on your business lawyer for advice when obstacles arise while growing or operating your business.

Some ways a lawyer can help as you start your new business include:

Helping you create a business plan to attract investors and provide a vision for your business
Offering advice on how to structure your new business to start your company out on the right foot
Restructuring your business to maximize profits and benefits
Guiding you through the steps of business formation
Creating contracts to protect your interests, including employment contracts, transactions, and business-to-business (B2B) contracts
Representing you in case disputes arise that threaten your business
Helping develop exit strategies as part of your business plan
Aiding with succession planning in case you are ever not able to run your business due to retirement, illness, injury, or death
Navigating the transaction process when it’s time to sell

As a small business owner, you have unique needs that many large corporations don’t have to deal with. When you hire our law firm, you’ll get advice based on your goals and needs. Call today to schedule your initial consultation!

What Documents Do I Need to Start or Expand My Business?

Although creating documentation may not be the most exciting part of starting or growing your company, this step is crucial to providing legal protection for the future. Our small business lawyer can help you navigate the legal aspects of business development, including creating contracts, business plans, and other documents necessary to achieve the success you want.

Some examples of documents that can provide structure and protection for Florida businesses include the following:

Business plans – Businesses that operate based on business plans have a much greater chance of success because the owners and operators have clear goals in mind. These companies also stand a better chance of getting the resources they need because investors are more likely to provide funding when they are confident about the company
Articles of organization – This document is legally required for some companies, such as LLCs. The articles of organization provide the name, address, registered agent, and other basic information about your company
Beneficial ownership information – The Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOIR) is another requirement under Florida law. This submission outlines who owns your company to provide transparency and eliminate crimes like money laundering. You must file your BOIR soon after registering your business, or you could pay extensive fines. Call our law firm for excellent representatives who can get your BOIR submitted on time to prevent fines and delays
Employment contracts – Many businesses get into trouble by not having adequate protection through employment contracts. Having good employees is crucial in growing a strong business in Florida, which means you need the ability to ensure good employee performance. Having adequate contracts also protects you in case of future disputes
Shareholder agreements – For owners of corporations, outlining shareholder duties and privileges is essential. You can prevent disputes and indicate proper procedures through legally sound shareholder documents
Partnership agreements – One of the most devastating issues a business can face is partner disputes. Various individuals may share similar ideas and goals but have different methods and preferences. You can avoid conflict by starting out with contracts that indicate who makes what decisions and under what terms

How Can I Get Financing for a New Small Business in Florida?

Securing financing for your new company is crucial to starting a business. Often, small business owners have a fantastic idea but lack the means to implement their plan. Many organizations start by securing debt from banks, private investors, and other fundraising sources. When you speak with our attorney, we’ll analyze your situation and determine the best options for finding the money you need to get started.

Some options for financing your small business include getting a loan from the bank, borrowing money from family or friends, and using private investor funds. Depending on your type of business and future aspirations, it might make sense for you to start a corporation and raise funds through selling stock. Some other options include getting a line of credit or financing based on your personal assets.

Getting the money you need is crucial when starting or expanding a small business in Florida. Don’t let the matter of funding get in your way. Contact our law firm for advice on securing financing for your venture. Our dedicated legal team is ready to help you find the resources you need to fund your new or growing company, so call today for your initial consultation.

What Are the Benefits of Having a Business Plan?

There are many benefits of having a business plan, including:

Faster growth – Many businesses that have business plans experience more rapid and sustainable growth
Fundraising – Having a plan in place demonstrates that you are worth the investor’s time and money
Goals – When you put your ideas down on paper and map out how you will achieve them, you are more able to develop goals that help you achieve the success you’ve dreamed of
Decision-making – When you have a business plan, it becomes much easier to make critical decisions based on your circumstances and goals
Competitive advantage – Business plans give a competitive edge over companies that lack the extra planning and structure
Marketing – When you understand your target market, you can create a method for reaching the individuals who are most likely to buy your products and services
Succession planning – Another critical aspect of a business plan is preparing for the future, including the event where you are not able to lead the company

When you are ready to formulate a plan for your Florida business, you need reliable legal advice and guidance. Our attorney has helped many clients take the next step by planning for their company’s future. We will give you the support you need in this critical endeavor. We’ll also stand by your side to advocate for you if you encounter any legal obstacles.

What Is Business Succession Planning?

Succession planning refers to a company’s change in leadership. This may happen when key leaders either can’t or don’t want to continue in management positions. Without succession planning, the company could suffer from confusion and a lack of leadership when a leader dies, retires, or is too ill to work.

Some business owners make the mistake of skipping succession planning in their business plan. Others don’t fully prepare for the event of their displacement or fail to explain important processes to employees. Creating a solid succession plan can ensure that your wishes are carried out even if you leave the company or pass away. You can also ensure that employees who perform well are rewarded and move up in the company.

Don’t let your company suffer or let business matters get in the way of your retirement. Contact Lankford Law Firm right away to learn more about how your company can benefit from a succession plan. We’ll ensure the critical aspects of this vital document are present to give you the peace of mind you need about your company’s future.

How Can Your Law Firm Help with Employment Matters?

Running a business can be highly complex, with many important decisions that have potentially huge repercussions. One of the most challenging aspects of running a business may be dealing with employees. Good employees have the potential to create amazing growth and innovation within your company. However, a worker who performs poorly can cost you thousands of dollars or even your reputation.

Hiring, reprimanding, and firing employees are all closely regulated by federal and state laws. Our law firm can help you understand your duties and rights when working with employees. We can coach you on how to get the best performance possible from your team members while avoiding legal issues. Contact our law firm immediately for help navigating employee disputes and to prevent future problems.

Do I Need a Business Structure for My Real Estate Business?

Many investors and entrepreneurs realize that the real estate business can be incredibly lucrative in Florida. However, running a real estate business carries some heavy risks. Before starting a rental or house-flipping business, you should consider the nuances of real estate sales and rentals in the Sunshine State. Our attorney is happy to discuss your real estate hopes and dreams and find a plan that matches your situation.

Structuring your real estate business is just as important as with any other type of company. It would be best if you took the time now to make a plan that prepares you for your company’s growth. We can help develop goals, strategies, and plans that accommodate your real estate business. We are also standing by to construct legal contracts that protect your interests. For example, we have vast experience with commercial and residential leases.

We know what it takes to give your real estate company the solid foundation you need for the future. Contact our skilled team of dedicated legal professionals for the counsel and representation you need. We will happily come to your current office or place of work to meet in a convenient initial consultation.

Should You Hire Our Central Florida Business Planning Services?

Business planning can seem overwhelming, but it comes with too many benefits to mention. You can avoid the risks many small business owners make by having the goals and funding you need. Business plans can also help you have more successful marketing strategies. You’ll also have a sound structure that makes decision-making that much easier.

With the right business lawyer by your side, you can approach this task with excitement and confidence. Our law firm has helped countless clients and has given their companies the preparation necessary for the future. We understand Florida’s unique business laws and will apply that knowledge and experience in every legal recommendation. We are also prepared to fight for your interests should disputes arise at any point in the process.

To learn more about developing a plan that’s right for your company, call the Daytona Beach-based business plan lawyers at Lankford Law Firm today. We represent and serve businesses throughout Volusia County and Brevard, Flagler, Orange, and Seminole counties.

Attorney Lankford provides a comfortable, friendly setting for clients and potential clients to discuss their business and legal needs by setting appointments around their clients’ schedules and coming to their place of business for meetings. Lankford Law Firm for a consultation today to get the legal counsel and representation you need in your unique circumstances. Call 850-888-8992 to schedule your initial case review right away. Se Habla Español.