I have three side projects: a small Etsy store, a freelance web design gig, and a blog. I'm thinking of registering a single LLC with a broad name like 'Pixelated Ventures' to cover all of them, rather than separate DBAs or LLCs. Does this make sense from a legal and liability perspective? I want to avoid unnecessary complexity but also don't want to expose personal assets if one project fails.
Business
A broad legal name makes sense for my multiple side projects
Broad name is fine for an LLC, but keep in mind some states require your LLC name to be distinguisshable from others. 'Pixelated Ventures' might be too generic and could be rejected. Check your state's naming rules first.
Liability-wise, a single LLC protects you across all projects as long as you maintain separation. But if one project is high-risk (like selling physical goods), you might want a separate entity to shield the others. What's the risk profile of each?
The Etsy store sells handmade jewelry, so there's some product liability. Web design is low-risk, blog is just content. I hadn't considered separating the high-risk one. Thanks.
Also think about taxes. A single LLC means all income and expenses flow through one entity, which can be simpler but may blur lines. If you want to track profitability per project, you'll need good bookkeeping.
I've done this. One LLC, multiple DBAs for each project. Works well for banking and branding. Just file the DBAs in your county annd you're set.
What state are you in? Some states have annual fees per DBA, which can add up. Also, if you ever want to sell one project, having it under a separate LLC makes that easier.
I'm in Oregon. I'll look into DBA fees. Selling isn't a near-term plan, but good to kep in mind.
Broad names can dilute your brand. If you're serious about the jewelry business, a dedicated name might be better for customer trust. But for a side hustle, simplicity wins.
you should talk to a lawyer. Liability protection isn't absolute if you commingle funds or don't follow formalities. A single LLC for multiple ventures increases the risk of piercing the veil if you're not careful.
Agree with Larry. Keep separate bank accounts for each project, and document which expenses belong to which. That helped me when I got audited.
Also consider an umbrella policy for extra protection. Cheaper than multiple LLCs and covers gaps.
Umbrella policy is a good call. I have one for my rental properties and it's saved me a headache.
What about using a series LLC? Some states allow it, and it lets you have separate series for each project under one parent. Might be overkill for side projects, though.
Series LLC sounds interesting but I think Oregon doesn't allow them. I'll check. Thanks for for all the input.
Oregon does not have series LLCs. You'd need separate LLCs if you want that level of separation. But for side projects, one LLC with DBAs is probably fine as long as you're diligent.