Choosing the right legal structure is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when starting or growing a business. Your choice can affect how you pay taxes, manage your business, protect your personal assets, bring in additional owners, and plan for future growth.
If you’re unsure whether a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, corporation, or nonprofit is right for you, this upcoming educational webinar can help you better understand your options.
Join SCORE Certified Mentor Walter A. Lassiter on September 23, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST for a 60-minute LIVE Online Workshop: “What Legal Structure Should I Choose for My Business?”
The session will introduce the most common organizational structures used by small businesses and explain the general advantages, disadvantages, and considerations associated with each.
Meet the Instructor
Walter A. Lassiter is a SCORE volunteer mentor and retired educator with more than 41 years of experience teaching middle school, high school, adult education, and community college students.
Throughout his career, he specialized in trade and industrial education, including drafting, graphic arts, and pre-engineering, helping students develop practical skills for success. He has also worked with Sylvan Learning Systems, further expanding his experience in education and professional development.
As a SCORE mentor, Walter enjoys helping entrepreneurs build strong business foundations by providing guidance in areas such as business planning, marketing, technology, and work-life balance.
His extensive teaching background and practical approach help make complex business concepts easier for entrepreneurs to understand and apply.
Whether you’re preparing to launch your first business or looking to strengthen an existing company, this workshop offers an opportunity to learn more about the organizational structures available to small business owners.
Event Details
- Workshop: What Legal Structure Should I Choose for My Business?
- Date: September 23, 2026
- Time: 12:00 PM EST
- Duration: 60 Minutes
- Format: LIVE Online Workshop
- Instructor: SCORE Certified Mentor Walter A. Lassiter
Register for the Workshop
Space may be limited, so entrepreneurs and small business owners interested in attending are encouraged to register in advance.
REGISTER FOR THE LIVE ONLINE WORKSHOP
What You’ll Learn
Choosing a business structure involves more than simply completing paperwork. During this workshop, participants will receive an introduction to the most common types of business entities and the factors that should be considered when choosing among them.
Topics will include:
- Sole Proprietorships — Learn about simplicity, ownership, taxation, and personal liability.
- Partnerships — Understand shared ownership, responsibilities, and important partnership considerations.
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) — Explore the flexibility of an LLC and important liability considerations.
- C Corporations and S Corporations — Learn about ownership, taxation, access to capital, and organizational complexity.
- Nonprofits — Understand some of the key ways nonprofit organizations differ from traditional for-profit businesses.
- Taxation and Liability — Learn why taxes, personal liability, and business risk should be considered before selecting an entity.
- Management and Continuity — Explore how different structures can affect management responsibilities and the continuation of a business.
- Transferability, Cost, and Formality — Understand additional considerations that may influence which structure works for a particular business.
- Business Planning and Long-Term Goals — Learn why your business plan and future objectives should help guide your decision.
Why Does Your Business Structure Matter?
Your legal business structure can influence nearly every part of your company.
It may affect your personal liability, taxes, management responsibilities, administrative requirements, ability to raise capital, ownership structure, and plans for future growth.
For example, a sole proprietorship may offer simplicity for someone starting a small business independently, while an LLC may provide additional flexibility and liability considerations. Corporations can offer different ownership and capital-raising opportunities but generally involve additional organizational requirements.
There is no single structure that works for every business.
Understanding the basic differences can help entrepreneurs ask better questions and have more productive conversations with qualified legal, accounting, and tax professionals before establishing their business entity.
Who Should Attend?
This workshop is designed for:
- Aspiring entrepreneurs preparing to start a business
- New small business owners
- Existing business owners considering a different organizational structure
- Entrepreneurs developing a business plan
- Individuals trying to understand the differences between LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships
- Anyone who wants a clearer understanding of common business structures before establishing a company
No advanced legal, tax, or business experience is required.
Why Attend This Workshop?
Starting a business involves many decisions, but your business structure can have long-term implications.
Choosing an entity without understanding how it works could create complications later involving taxation, ownership, liability, management, or growth.
This workshop provides a practical introduction to the available options so you can better understand the questions you should consider before establishing your business.
Rather than simply asking, “Should I form an LLC?”, you’ll learn to consider the bigger picture—including your business goals, ownership plans, risk exposure, management needs, costs, and long-term strategy.
Important Disclaimer
This workshop is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, accounting, or tax advice.
The appropriate legal structure depends on the specific circumstances of each business and its owners. Participants should consult a qualified attorney, accountant, or tax professional before determining or changing the legal structure of their business.
Reserve Your Spot Today
Your business structure can affect much more than the paperwork required to establish your company.
Understanding the differences between a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, C Corporation, S Corporation, and nonprofit can help you make more informed decisions as you build and grow your business.
Join SCORE Certified Mentor Walter A. Lassiter on September 23, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST for this 60-minute LIVE Online Workshop and gain a practical introduction to choosing a legal structure for your business.
REGISTER TODAY and take another step toward building a stronger foundation for your business.
About YMA Financial
YMA Financial is committed to empowering individuals, families, and entrepreneurs through financial education, business resources, and practical strategies that help create lasting financial success. We proudly share educational workshops, community events, and expert insights that support small business growth and financial well-being.