2014 Shows Surge in New Business Startups and Consumer Confidence
The economy is steadily on the rise and so is the rate of people quitting their jobs. According to CorpNet.com, that coincides with a steady increase in small business startups over the years and major upswing this month. Unemployment is at a five year low and the US Bureau of Economic Analysis reports consumer spending is skyrocketing, making this the perfect time to start your own business.
“It’s the perfect trifecta!” explained Nellie Akalp, CEO of CorpNet. “The consumers are there, companies are hiring again, the economy’s on track for the best growth since ’05… so if you’ve ever wanted to be your own boss, the time is now.”
Over the past four and a half years, CorpNet.com has helped tens of thousands of start up businesses establish and submit legal filings nationwide. Akalp says there’s been an increase in filings yearly, by nearly 40%, but this January has shown a major shift.
“This January, compared to last, we saw a 100% growth in business filings and the month isn’t even over yet,” said Akalp. “So not only are market conditions and consumer willingness ripe, but there’s an increased comfort in purchasing and transacting online.”
Fear of the job market has permeated the workforce too long creating a general “I feel trapped” malaise that Akalp says it’s time to let go of. Even in a less stable economy, her clients have felt empowered after setting up their own businesses. Once new business owners realize they just have to know their business not the business of filing for a corporation, the concept is less daunting.
“I was afraid to go out on my own, but I had a passion to share what I learned about my son’s autism with others and CorpNet.com made it easy,” said Dina Kimmel, owner of We Rock The Spectrum Kid’s Gym. “I now have a franchise with seven gyms for children across the spectrum with and without Autism.”
Attorney Darren Kavinoky broke away from the corporate world and started his own law firm, with help from CorpNet. ”Somehow I actually found the courage to start my own firm, and it’s the fulfillment of my destiny,” said Kavinoky. ”Even though I’m a lawyer I didn’t know about business formation or what my corporate responsibilities were. CorpNet.com has been a trusted advisor, like a partner to me.”
Akalp has been guiding entrepreneurs since 1997, and says while quitting your job may sound appealing, the decision must be well thought out. Trends like the new “Quit Your Job” application on iTunes make it sound fun, but Akalp says this is no laughing matter. “This is a good time to start a business if you have a passion you’ve been wanting to pursue and you’re willing to put the work in,” says Akalp. ”A decision to quit for no other reason than to get back at your boss will result in unemployment, not empowerment.”
Nellie Akalp CEO of CorpNet.com which provides business filing services for businesses and startups across the country. Akalp is nationally recognized for her business advice in regular articles for Forbes, Mashable, Entrepreneur, SmallBizTrends and Huffington Post. She also appears as a regular contributor on Fox Business News, and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Inc., US News, MSN, Bloomberg Businessweek, American Express Open, KTLA News and Morning Blend. Akalp was honored as a Small Business Influencer Champion for 2012 and 2013.
Nellie and her husband Phil of 17 years are partners in life and business. The Akalps pioneered the business filings industry in 1997 while still in law school. After selling MyCorporation.com to Intuit in 2005 they formed new corporations to continue assisting small business owners. They’re also busy parents with four young children.