261. How to Start an Online Business (legally!)

Thinking about starting an online business—or finally making your “side hustle” official—but don’t want to get buried in legal confusion? This episode is your crash course on exactly how to start your business the right way before 2025 ends.

Whether you’re a coach, course creator, service provider, or product-based entrepreneur, I’m walking you through the five simple legal steps you must take to set up your business, protect your content, and get paid confidently.

No law degree (or stress spiral) required.

In this episode, you’ll hear…

1. 5 things you must have in place before accepting even $1 (more) online
2. Exact steps to form your business
3. Should you become an LLC or sole prop?
4. Why you NEED to have business insurance (it’s so worth it)
5. An actual method for figuring out what you can (and cannot) do online or when you’re NOT working under your professional license
6. Your 2025 To-do List: things to do before Dec 31st to make your biz legally sound

RESOURCES:

1. The Ultimate Bundle® is on sale through Oct 24, 2025. If you buy it before Oct 22nd, 2024, you’ll receive 3 bonus templates + my last live call of the year.

CONNECT:

1. Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
2. Follow Sam on Instagram
3. Follow Sam on YouTube
4. Subscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond Business
5. Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER