Earlier last month I turned 40… which once seemed like a pretty big milestone.
But there were no tears, no dread, and no attempts to forget the day. I realized I’m not just at peace with myself and my age, but I’m actually happy. And granted I have my health and a fabulous family (including a newborn!), but another key thing is I absolutely love what I do. And that’s a good thing, because I’ve now done it twice.
Let me explain. Shortly after law school, I launched a business with my husband. We provided online legal filing services to entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses. Basically that means we helped companies incorporate, form LLCs, and start their businesses the right way without having to pay an arm and a leg in attorney fees.
In 2005, we had the good fortune to sell the company to Intuit. We now had plenty of capital. We had the freedom to travel, spend time with our children, and dream up other business ideas. I had a great time during this interim, don’t get be wrong. But, the other ventures just didn’t carry the same spark for me. So, in 2009, we started all over again with CorpNet, our latest (and last?) document filing service. And every day since, I’ve been so grateful we made that decision.
First and foremost, I love helping other entrepreneurs. I love the concept of the small business. And I love giving small business owners access to resources they might not be able to afford otherwise. Because every business, no matter how small, should have the right legal protection to help them thrive. Over the course of my career, I’ve helped form more than 100,000 corporations and LLCs across the U.S.
Running our own business has proved to be more challenging today than our first time around, but it’s this tough economic climate that makes what I do all the more rewarding. In today’s economy, I want to give everyone a shot. I want to help as many Americans as I can start their own business and feed this economy. For full disclosure, I can get a little teary eyed when I hear the president talk about the power and potential of the small business and American entrepreneur.

First and foremost, I love helping other entrepreneurs. I love the concept of the small business. And I love giving small business owners access to resources they might not be able to afford otherwise.

Every day, aspiring entrepreneurs call our office. We talk to brilliant workers who have been laid off, can’t find other work, and have decided to take matters into their own hands by launching a business. We see busy moms who want to supplement their family’s income and make their own mark on the world. We see career professionals who are finally ready to put the 9-5 way of life aside and follow their dreams.
Each and every story touches and inspires me. And this entrepreneurial passion is contagious. I might be CEO of the company, but I will never stop fielding customer calls. Talking to business owners and potential business owners is why I started this company, and it’s what keeps me going.
Yes, the economy is difficult, the jobs numbers aren’t improving, and the stock market is pretty shaky at best. But in these tough times, people are doing some incredibly remarkable things. They’re showing just how determined, creative, and courageous human beings can be. And if I can help these individuals get the ball rolling on their ideas, I can’t imagine anything better.

Nellie Akalp is the CEO & Co-Founder of CorpNet, Incorporated.  Her second incorporation-filing-service
company based on the simple philosophy of truth in business and her strong passion to assist small
business owners and entrepreneurs.   Mrs. Akalp also frequently authors much of the content published
at www.CorpNet.com and her work frequently appears in a variety of publications.