At exactly 5:10 PM, I opened an email that made me exhale a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding: Inkwell Imprints is now officially a registered LLC in Washington, DC. The approval letter came after a rollercoaster of forms, rejections, corrections, and confusion. But it’s done. I’m legal. I have the receipts. And I feel really damn proud of myself.
Filing an LLC sounded simple when I first started the process. But DC’s online system threw me for more than a few loops. Despite having an organizer page, website, business email, and PayPal already set up, I still had my initial filing rejected due to missing “Beneficial Owner” information. Honestly, it was frustrating. I was ready to scream into the void. But I regrouped, fixed the issues, and resubmitted. And now? That persistence paid off.
Seeing my business name next to “Limited Liability Company” feels surreal. It might not change what I do on a day-to-day basis—writing, publishing, building stories—but it does change how I see myself. I’m not just dabbling in writing anymore. I’m building a business with a foundation. I’m claiming my space in the world of publishing with structure, intention, and legal standing.
For anyone thinking about registering their own LLC: be prepared to feel confused, overwhelmed, and unsure. But also be ready to feel incredibly empowered when you finally hit “submit” and see that approval come through. There’s something deeply validating about turning your creative work into something official.
So what comes next? Now that Inkwell Imprints is registered, I can move forward with business banking, tax filing, and contract work under my LLC name. I already have my business website up and running, and my PayPal is linked and active. But my next steps will include opening a business bank account, registering for an EIN, and figuring out any required local business licenses or permits.
I’ll also be reviewing how I want to position Inkwell Imprints as a brand. It’s not just a name—it’s a creative identity. Will I offer publishing services? Will I expand into coaching or workshops? There’s room to dream and evolve now, and that’s part of the beauty of making it official.
If you’re a fellow writer or artist who’s on the fence about starting a business, let this be your sign. You don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need to take the first step—and then the next. The clarity comes in the doing. The confidence builds with every new milestone.
Today, my milestone is legal recognition. Tomorrow? Who knows. But I’m showing up as a business owner now, and that shift is already changing how I approach everything from blog posts to book releases.
Thank you to everyone who’s been cheering me on, even quietly. This is just the beginning—and I can’t wait to share what’s next.
Add comment
Comments