Straightforward Business Starter
Set Up Your Online Business the Right Way, Minus the Overwhelm
Exactly what you need to do to get your business set up legally and properly, and nothing you don’t. Business naming, entity choice, your EIN, and finances, all in plain English from a retired attorney who has run an online business since 2014.
One-time payment of $24.50 (50% off, normally $49) · Lifetime access and updates · Instant delivery
Taught by a retired attorney
Licensed in two states, in online business since 2014
Plain English throughout
No legalese, no overwhelm
Do it yourself for $24.50
Instead of paying hundreds to have it done
Lifetime access and updates
As laws and platforms change, you stay current
Start Here
If Any of These Sound Like You, Start Here
Most new business owners assume getting set up legally is complicated, so they either avoid it entirely or pay far too much to have someone else handle it. Neither one is necessary.
Why It Matters
Why Getting This Right Early Saves You Later
None of these decisions are hard once someone explains them. They are only expensive when you guess, or when you pay someone else to make them for you.
Your business name
Choosing a name you can actually use, and knowing how to check before you print anything or buy a domain.
LLC, sole proprietor, or something else
There is a right answer for where you are right now, and it is not automatically the most expensive option.
Getting your EIN
It is free, it takes minutes, and knowing the steps means you never pay a service to do it for you.
Separating your money
A dedicated business account is the single change that makes bookkeeping and tax season manageable.
Not overpaying
I once had a friend pay $800 to a lawyer to file an LLC in a state where the filing fee was $30. That is the gap this closes.
Confidence to move forward
The reason this sits undone is not difficulty. It is not knowing which decisions matter and in what order.
The Honest Comparison
The $800 LLC That Should Have Cost $30
I once had a friend pay a lawyer $800 to file an LLC. The filing fee in her state was $30. She did not get bad service; she paid for something she could have done herself in an afternoon if anyone had walked her through it.
That is the entire reason this course exists. Business setup has a reputation for being complicated, which keeps people either paralyzed or overpaying. The actual work is a short sequence of decisions, each one straightforward once someone explains what it means and what it costs.
What you get here instead: a plain-English walkthrough of every setup decision, with checklists and the links you need, so you make each choice knowingly and handle the filing yourself.
What You Get
What You’ll Learn Inside
Four decisions, walked through in order, with the resources to act on each one.
Delivered as video training with downloadable checklists, so you can work through it in one sitting or handle one decision at a time.
How It Works
Four Steps, Start to Official
1. Watch the Walkthroughs
Short videos covering each setup decision in plain English, in the order you actually need to make them.
2. Work the Checklists
Every lesson comes with a checklist and the links you need, so you are never wondering what the next step is.
3. Make It Official
File what needs filing, open what needs opening, and do it yourself for the price of the filing fee.
4. Run It Properly
With your finances separated and your structure sorted, the admin side stops being a source of low-grade worry.
Included With Your Purchase
Everything That Comes With It
Video walkthrough training
Step-by-step guidance through business formation, without the legal jargon.
Checklists and resource links
No guesswork. Every lesson tells you exactly what to do next.
Plain English throughout
Every term explained the first time it comes up.
Lifetime access and updates
As laws and platforms change, you stay current without repurchasing.
Make It Official
Ready to Stop Putting This Off?
A legitimate business setup for less than the cost of dinner out.
$24.50 one-time (normally $49) · Instant delivery
Meet Your Educator
I’m Liz Stapleton
I got licensed to practice law in two states, then spent years in a career most attorneys never have: teaching lawyers and judges how to use legal research tools more efficiently. If I could help the people who practice law for a living work smarter, I can walk you through setting up a business.
I’ve been in online business for 10+ years, so I know what it feels like to wear every hat and try to figure out what’s actually required, without spending thousands on attorneys who don’t speak your language.
“If your grandma can’t understand it, it’s not clear enough.”
I wrote these templates because the gap between “I know I need this” and “I can actually afford it” shouldn’t exist. I stay current on the legal changes that affect online businesses, including GDPR updates, FTC disclosure rules, and new AI use laws.
I’ve helped thousands of bloggers, creators, coaches, and online business owners get properly protected, and I’ve spoken at virtual and in-person conferences on website legal compliance.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this just for bloggers?
No. It’s for anyone starting an online business: bloggers, course creators, freelancers, service providers, and product sellers. The decisions are the same regardless of what you sell.
Is it US-based?
The core setup information is US-focused, since EINs and LLCs are US structures. The financial systems and the way the decisions are sequenced apply anywhere, and the EIN lesson covers what to do if you’re outside the US.
What if I already hired someone to set up my business?
You may still find it useful for double-checking what was done, filling in the gaps, and understanding how to maintain things going forward. A lot of people discover their setup is fine but their finances were never separated.
Do I need this if I already have a website?
Not necessarily. But if you’re unsure whether to register your business, how to structure it, or how to handle an EIN and business finances, this will help you understand those choices and act on them with confidence.
Do you offer refunds?
Because this is a digital product with instant access, I don’t offer refunds. I’ve packed it with practical, step-by-step guidance to make it worth every penny. If you’re not sure it’s the right fit, reach out with questions before you buy.
Is this legal advice?
No. This course is general education and information, not legal advice, and it doesn’t create an attorney-client relationship. It’s built to help you understand and act on the typical setup process, and it doesn’t replace speaking with an attorney about your specific situation.
One Less Thing on the List
Make Your Business Official This Week
Plain English. Every decision explained. Done for less than the cost of dinner out.
$24.50 one-time (normally $49) · Instant access · Lifetime access and updates
Disclaimer
ElizabethStapleton.com is not a law firm. While I am an attorney, I am not your attorney, and nothing on this website, downloads, or content available are to be construed as creating an attorney-client relationship. Additionally, nothing in this site or resources made available are to be considered legal advice. Content and resources provided on this site are meant for educational and informational purposes only. The author is not liable for any losses or damages related to actions or failure to act related to the content, downloads, or resources made available on or through this website. If you need specific legal advice, consult with an attorney who specializes in your subject matter and jurisdiction.
Testimonials and case studies about others’ experience with my website, products, and services are from actual customers and clients and are shown as examples of what is possible. There are several factors that determine a customer’s success, such as hard work and time, so I can in no way guarantee that current or future customers will achieve the same or similar results as previous customers. The examples, case studies, and testimonials are simply illustrative of what is possible.