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God, Family, and

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God, Family, and

In the United States the American Dream is what we all strive for. Technology has made this dream even more achievable. The advantages of technology have made almost every aspect of life better, easier, faster, and more accessibility. Innovation of technology has become a major factor in the success of operating a business. There has not been a better time to become a business owner than right now. 

          The Entity

Shania Jackson is someone who is trying to take advantage of the times. Mrs. Jackson is interested in starting a Christian coffeehouse in Denver, Colorado. She has a lot to consider upon starting her business, like business entities. I would recommend Shania use an LLC (Limited Liability Company) for the business entity to best help accomplish her business goals. Limited Liability Company means just that, limited liability. When you file an LLC, it separates your business from your personal assets. For example, if Shania business involved in a lawsuit or has accumulated debt, her personal assets are secure. Another benefit to consider is an LLC is considered a pass-through taxation entity. Amy Fontinelle (2020) defines a pass-through taxation as, “An LLC is considered a pass-through entity—also called a flow-through entity—which means it pays taxes through an individual income tax code rather than through a corporate tax code.” In other words, you only get taxed once unlike a C-Corporation. Simple maintenance is also a contributing factor to the popularity of an LLC. The LLC has a simple business structure, which makes it easier to form and maintain compared to corporations. In an LLC, an owner is known as a member. There can be a single-member or multi-member, which are good options for Shania, considering her husband is interested in contributing to the business. There are only a few restrictions on who can be a member and location requirements. If Shania and her husband decides to uproot to another state and keep their company in Colorado, they can do so.
                                                          The Legacy of the Name

You only get one chance of a first impression. The first impression of a company is its name. A company’s name is the first thing a customer sees (Fridman, 2015). The name plays a significant role for the identity of branding, which is vital for a business success. A brand’s identity is a company’s introduction to an audience. Uniqueness in name is a step in the right direction. 
            Shania has a brand identity in mind for her business. Her business idea is a good example of what 2 Corinthians 5:20 speaks about, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (New International Version, 2011). Considering her brand identity is based on a Christian coffeehouse, she is thinking about calling her business The Gathering Place. Searching the availability of The Gathering Place, forty-three matches were found. There is a current LLC that has the name The Gathering Place. Even if the name was available, I would not recommend the name. From the results of the search, the name is commonly used. Shania should not only want a name that represents her but stands out from others with a similar idea. 
            Once the brand identity and entity are established, executing what the brand is about is next. The company’s product and services are a part of the consumer’s experience. Product and services are critical to the type of business Shania is running because it is a space where you are constantly dealing with people. Hiring the right people to promote the product and provide good services could contribute to the company’s success or failure.
                                                        Family and/or

Who Shania hires is a representation of her business, who better to hire than people she knows? Well mixing family and business could be a great idea or a horrible one. The potential positives of working with family is the comfort of having them around. Family adds to confidence, knowing you have the support of your family. Family members are more invested due to the connection to the business. Family has an understanding of comradery when accomplishing a common goal (“Working In”, “n.d.”). Understanding how to separate business from personal is difficult dealing with family. When unable to separate the two is the result of the potential negatives Shania could face hiring family. If a disagreement in business spills over to personal, not only is an employee lost, but the relationship as family. Entitlement among family is a big one. Some family may think they are the exception to the rules or feel because they are family things should be given and not earned. Resentment from other employees is a possibility. Whether it is an accurate perception or not, employees who are not related may feel they are at a disadvantage or treated unfairly due to circumstances. 
             Considering the pros and cons that come with mixing family and business, a way for it to be successful is the foundation. A foundation to any structure is key. Shania working with her husband, I believe could work. The foundation of their marriage is going to be the glue that holds everything together. Keeping in mind God’s Knot, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (New International Version, 2011, Ecclesiastes 4:12). I think it is a good idea for them to have different roles.
She deals with the day to day of the business he deals with the finance side. 
As for her Shania’s sister Kelsey, I do not believe bringing her on board is a good idea. I think Kelsey could contribute greatly considering her motivation of wanting to do something different. However, she and her husband are not on the same page, which could lead to further conflict in the marriage, the sisterhood, and possibly the business if hired. Before bringing Kelsey on board, I would give her time to figure out the situation between she and her husband. 
                                    Believer Plus Non-Believer

Carlos, Shania’s neighbor who is a non-believer, also has an interest in Shania’s business. I do not see Carlos being a non-believer as an issue. Jesus and the disciples are the best example of excepting everyone from all walks of life. Shania should look for good and qualified people, who adds to the success of the company regardless of background. Jesus did not discriminate people, who showed interest in his message, if so, the message would have been lost. A possible outcome of hiring a non-believer is one becoming a believer. Jesus demonstrated the commonly used phrase, “Come as you are.” In scripture John 6:37 Jesus says, “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (New International Version, 2011).
 
 
 
 
 

References

Fridman, A. (2021, February 09). Why Your Company Name Is As Important As Your Company Function. Inc. 
https://www.inc.com/adam-fridman/why-your-company-name-is-as-important-as-your-company-function-adam.html

Fontinelle, A. (2021, February 17). How Becoming an LLC Could Save Taxes Under Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Investopedia. 
https://www.investopedia.com/taxes/how-becoming-llc-could-save-taxes-under-trump/

Working in a Family . (n.d.). MindTools. 
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_40.htm

New International Version. (2011). BibleGateway. 
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6%3A35-37&version=NIV

New International Version. (2011). BibleGateway. 
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+corinthians+5%3A20&version=NIV

New International Version. (2011). BibleGateway. 
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+4%3A12&version=NIV

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