Brooklyn, MI Businesses: How to Respond to the CTA, BOI and FinCEN Now




The Corporate Transparency Act may require certain U.S. companies to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN to combat financial crimes.

While a Texas federal district court’s preliminary injunction puts this requirement on hold, many experts expect that to be overturned. In that event, failure to file could lead to fines of $500 per day, up to a maximum of $10,000, and possible criminal penalties.

However, filing your Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report will help you avoid fines if this injunction is overruled. Waiting could mean scrambling to meet compliance requirements or penalties. ZenBusiness facilitates BOI reporting for businesses with simple instructions and comprehensive yet painless processes. This is ideal for SBOs that want to avoid trouble by cleaning up their obligations in advance.

1. Determine if Your Business Must File.

A ‘reporting company’ is any small business, corporation, or LLC that is registered with the state, unless exempt. Exemptions apply to publicly traded companies, banks, and charities. For example, a local coffee shop in Brooklyn, MI would likely need to file a BOI report.

2. Identify Your Beneficial Owners.

A ‘beneficial owner’ is someone who either has substantial control over a company or owns at least 25% of it. For example, in a small doughnut shop in Brooklyn, if one of the co-owners has a 40% ownership stake and is actively involved in managing the daily operations and making strategic decisions, they would be considered a beneficial owner.

3. Gather the Required Information.

Prepare:

  • Business name, address, and EIN.

  • Beneficial owners’ names, addresses, DOBs, and ID details.

4. File Your BOI Report.

Deadlines:

  • Existing businesses: File by 01/01/2025.

  • New companies (2024): File within 90 days of formation.

  • New companies (2025+): File within 30 days of formation.

ZenBusiness provides SBOs with fine tuned tools and specialized resources for meeting BOI guidelines now and avoiding penalties. This type of service makes reporting your company’s information quick and easy.

Additional Resources:

We want to hear from you!

Join us in making an impact! Complete our BOI survey by December 18, 2024, and for every 25 responses, our Chamber will receive a $100 donation. Take the survey here! Your participation is greatly appreciated!

As of December 3, 2024, a Texas federal district court has issued a preliminary injunction for all states to block the CTA and its relevant regulations. However, filing your BOI will help you avoid fines if this injunction is overruled.

 
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First-Time Founder? Here’s What Those Business Buzzwords Actually Mean

Starting a business is an exciting, high-stakes decision moment. But if you're just getting started, the terminology alone can be overwhelming. Whether you're forming your first LLC, drafting your first contract, or navigating funding options, understanding key terms can boost your confidence — and help you make better decisions faster.

This guide breaks down the most important business terms for beginners, with a glossary-style table, an FAQ, and examples to help you put each concept into context.

 


 

Why Business Language Matters

Every transitional decision in your business journey — hiring your first employee, opening a second location, seeking funding — involves contracts, relationships, and responsibilities. Learning the language of business early helps you avoid costly misunderstandings, communicate clearly with stakeholders, and spot opportunities others might miss.

As you grow, these terms won’t just help you navigate deals and documents. They’ll also help you speak the language of investors, partners, and procurement officers who may vet your company through platforms like Crunchbase or LinkedIn Company Profiles.

 


 

Letters of Intent (LOIs): A Tool for Pre-Deal Clarity

One key term many new entrepreneurs encounter early is a Letter of Intent (LOI).

A letter of intent is a document that outlines a preliminary agreement between two or more parties before formalizing a full contract. Think of it as a handshake on paper — it sets expectations and terms without locking anyone in just yet.

Businesses often use LOIs to signal upcoming deals or partnerships. It’s a way to show intent and transparency, whether you're pursuing a merger, leasing a space, or entering a service agreement. If you want a more detailed walkthrough of how LOIs function (including templates and legal considerations), check it out here.

 


 

Essential Business Terms for Founders
 

Term

Definition

Why It Matters

Sole Proprietorship

A business owned and operated by one person, with no legal distinction.

Easiest to start, but the owner is personally liable for debts.

LLC

Limited Liability Company, a hybrid of a corporation and a sole proprietor.

Protects personal assets while offering flexible tax treatment.

Equity

Ownership stake in a business.

Used when raising funds or sharing ownership with partners or investors.

Runway

How long your business can operate before it runs out of money.

Vital for planning cash flow and understanding how fast you need revenue.

Churn Rate

Percentage of customers who stop using your service over time.

Helps you measure customer retention and long-term viability.

COGS

Cost of Goods Sold.

Key to calculating profit margins and pricing strategy.

Gross Margin

Revenue minus COGS, expressed as a percentage.

A core indicator of financial health.

B2B / B2C

Business-to-Business / Business-to-Consumer.

Shapes your sales, marketing, and product strategy.

Net 30 / Net 60

Invoice payment terms (client has 30 or 60 days to pay).

Impacts your cash flow — especially critical when working with agencies or government buyers.

Burn Rate

Monthly spending rate for startups.

Used by investors to assess how fast you're using capital.

 


 

Bulleted Quick Reference: 10 More Terms You’ll Hear Often

  • KPI (Key Performance Indicator): A measurable value tied to a business goal.
     

  • SaaS (Software as a Service): A cloud-based delivery model for software.
     

  • Term Sheet: A summary of the terms of an investment deal.
     

  • P&L Statement: Profit and Loss statement; shows revenue, expenses, and profit.
     

  • Accounts Receivable: Money owed to your business by customers.
     

  • Founder Vesting: The schedule by which equity is earned by founders.
     

  • Bridge Round: A short-term funding round before a larger one.
     

  • Conversion Rate: The percentage of users who take a desired action.
     

  • Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): Total cost to acquire one customer.
     

  • Bootstrapping: Growing your business without external investment.

 


 

FAQ: New Entrepreneur Questions

What’s the difference between revenue and profit?
Revenue is your total income before expenses. Profit is what’s left after subtracting your costs.

How do I protect my business name?
Registering your LLC is the first step. You might also want to file a trademark through USPTO.gov.

Do I need a business bank account?
Yes. It helps keep personal and business finances separate and simplifies taxes. Providers like Bluevine and Novo are popular options.

Q: What’s a registered agent?
A: A person or service responsible for receiving legal documents on behalf of your business. If you're forming an LLC, you'll need one. Some services, like Northwest Registered Agent, specialize in this.

 


 

Featured Tool: Bonsai

If you're a freelancer or solo founder juggling contracts, invoices, and proposals, Bonsai offers an all-in-one toolset designed to simplify your back office — with pre-built templates, time tracking, and tax reminders included.

 


 

Learn the Language, Build with Confidence

You don’t need an MBA to run a successful business. But learning the key business terms — and when to use them — helps you move with confidence, communicate with partners, and avoid common pitfalls. Bookmark this guide, revisit it often, and don’t be afraid to ask clarifying questions as your business grows. 

 


 

Discover the charm and excitement of southern Michigan by visiting the Irish Hills Regional Chamber of Commerce and plan your next adventure with our vibrant events and activities!
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Tangible Touch: Restoring Real Connection in the Small Business Digital Age

In a landscape increasingly shaped by frictionless payments, automated chatbots, and algorithmically targeted ads, the intimacy once characteristic of neighborhood shops and community-based businesses is slipping. Transactions have grown faster and more efficient, yet the warmth of personal connection has often been the cost. Many small businesses, built on the back of handshake relationships and loyal regulars, are struggling to retain that essence in an era where a customer’s journey is more likely to begin in a browser tab than a brick-and-mortar entrance. The question isn’t whether digital transformation is necessary — it’s how to keep humanity intact while adapting to it.

Treating Every Interaction Like a Conversation, Not a Click

Even online, there are ways to infuse human qualities into the customer experience. Thoughtfully written confirmation emails, real names in messages instead of generic support aliases, and responses that show understanding rather than scripted formality all help build rapport. Customers can tell when a brand actually listens rather than just replies. By slowing down enough to treat each inquiry as a conversation — rather than a ticket number — businesses can surprise people with a reminder that there’s still a human on the other end of the line.

When Technology Becomes the Messenger

Tools don’t earn or lose trust equally — their role in the customer journey shapes how they’re perceived. Some operate invisibly, managing internal systems like scheduling or analytics, while others step into the spotlight, crafting responses and content that mimic real human interactions. Try evaluating generative AI and other types compared to one another to understand which ones are helping you connect and which are simply speeding things up. That awareness can guide smarter decisions about which technologies deserve a front-facing role.

Reviving the Art of the Local Community Bulletin

In the age of national chains and overnight shipping, there’s still untapped power in serving the neighborhood. Local businesses that invest time in creating real community ties — sponsoring youth sports teams, setting up weekend sidewalk events, highlighting neighboring artisans — build loyalty that no algorithm can mimic. The digital space can support this effort through newsletters that spotlight local happenings or social media that amplifies other small players in the community. People remember businesses that don’t just serve them but show up for where they live.

Embedding Human Faces Into the Digital Storefront

Product listings and service pages shouldn’t look like they were written by a catalog engine. Putting faces to names — staff introductions, behind-the-scenes clips, or even handwritten thank-you notes scanned into order confirmations — fosters familiarity. These don’t need to be slick, edited videos or studio portraits; they just need to be real. When people recognize someone they trust, even from a screen, it’s easier to return, recommend, and reach out.

Making Time for Real-Time Engagement

In a world where automation is prized for its ability to remove delay, offering real-time human interaction has become a powerful differentiator. Hosting live Q&As on Instagram, holding virtual customer appreciation nights, or offering short consultations via video chat — these aren’t massive production lifts, but they do require a bit of intention. The reward is that they allow people to connect in a way that pre-scheduled, batched, or faceless systems never can. Just a few minutes of genuine attention can turn a casual customer into a vocal advocate.

Building Routines That Customers Can Count On

Consistency fosters familiarity, and familiarity lays the foundation for trust. Weekly check-in emails, recurring deals with personal twists, or even scheduled social posts that feature customer shoutouts build a sense of rhythm. In a time when everything changes quickly — from platforms to policies — being a reliable presence makes a business stand out. Ritual isn’t about routine so much as relationship: showing up in expected ways reminds customers they’re not forgotten.

Inviting Participation, Not Just Consumption

Today’s most beloved brands are not passive providers; they invite their audience to help shape the story. Whether it’s naming a new product, voting on next season’s offerings, or featuring customer content on social channels, people like to see their input acknowledged. For small businesses, this is not just a growth hack — it’s a reconnection strategy. The more invested customers feel in the process, the more they begin to feel like co-creators, not just consumers.

It’s tempting to think connection has to be sacrificed in the name of scaling up or staying current. But for small businesses, connection is the edge. In resisting the pull to become just another line of code in the customer’s day, and instead offering something a little warmer, a little more rooted, and a little more real, small businesses can build relationships that outlast any trend. The tools of modern commerce don’t have to erase personality — they can, with intention, amplify it.


Discover the charm of southern Michigan by visiting the Irish Hills Regional Chamber of Commerce and explore the endless adventures and events that await you in this picturesque region!
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Irish Hills Regional Chamber of Commerce