Launching a business is an exciting milestone—but it also comes with a long list of legal decisions that can make or break your success. At Hughes Companies, we help entrepreneurs, student-athletes, and local innovators throughout Oregon form their businesses the right way from day one. Whether you’re establishing a personal brand, launching a merchandise line, or creating a scalable startup, our firm ensures your business is compliant, protected, and structured to grow.

If you’re ready to take your idea from concept to reality, our team can help you lay a strong legal foundation with clarity and strategy—not guesswork.

Why Business Formation Matters

Choosing the right business structure affects everything from your personal liability to how you’re taxed and how you raise capital. For student-athletes entering the NIL (name, image, and likeness) space, forming a business can help manage income, limit liability, and simplify endorsement agreements.

Whether you’re in Eugene, Portland, Corvallis, or anywhere else in Oregon, having a legal entity in place is a critical step in building a legitimate, enduring brand.

Common Business Structures in Oregon

We guide clients through the pros and cons of several legal entities, including:

Sole Proprietorship

  • Easiest to form but offers no liability protection
  • Income is taxed as personal income
  • Ideal for low-risk, low-capital ventures

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

  • Popular among athletes and influencers
  • Offers liability protection and flexible tax options
  • Easy to manage and ideal for small to mid-sized businesses

Corporation (C or S Corp)

  • Better for companies seeking outside investors
  • More formal structure with greater compliance requirements
  • Can provide tax advantages in some circumstances

Partnerships

  • Suitable for ventures with multiple owners
  • Shared liability and profits
  • Should include a clear partnership agreement

Each structure has its own implications for taxes, control, and protection. We tailor our guidance based on your goals, industry, and long-term vision.

Formation Services We Provide

Hughes Companies offers end-to-end business formation services tailored to Oregon’s legal landscape. Our services include:

  • Entity Selection Guidance: Helping you choose the best structure based on your liability risk, funding needs, and future plans.
  • Filing with the Oregon Secretary of State: We prepare and file all required documents, including Articles of Organization or Incorporation.
  • Operating Agreements and Bylaws: Custom-drafted agreements to clarify ownership, responsibilities, and dispute resolution.
  • Tax ID (EIN) Registration: Obtaining your federal Employer Identification Number for banking and payroll.
  • State and Local Compliance: Guidance on Oregon-specific licensing, business name registration, and city/county rules.
  • Trademark and Brand Protection: We can also help protect your logo, slogans, and personal brand through trademarks and IP strategies.

Why Student-Athletes in Oregon Are Forming Businesses

Thanks to the NCAA’s changes to NIL policy, college athletes can now profit from their name, image, and likeness. Forming an LLC or corporation allows athletes to:

  • Collect endorsement income under a business name
  • Limit personal liability from contract disputes
  • Open a business bank account for more transparent finances
  • Deduct legitimate business expenses (travel, gear, etc.)

At Hughes Companies, we help student-athletes across Oregon build business entities that align with school policies and state laws, while positioning them for long-term financial success.

Oregon-Specific Considerations

Oregon has its own rules for starting and running a business, including:

  • State Business Registry: All entities must register with the Oregon Secretary of State and renew annually.
  • Business Name Rules: Your chosen business name must be distinguishable from existing entities and include the appropriate designator (LLC, Inc., etc.).
  • Licensing: Some Oregon counties and cities, like Portland and Eugene, require local business licenses.
  • Oregon Corporate Activity Tax (CAT): Applies to businesses with more than $1 million in Oregon commercial activity annually.

We stay up to date with Oregon’s laws to make sure your business is compliant and protected at every step.

Partner with Hughes Companies

Business formation is more than paperwork—it’s a legal roadmap for your future. Whether you’re building a brand, launching a startup, or preparing for your first NIL deal, Hughes Companies helps Oregon entrepreneurs and athletes lay the groundwork with clarity and confidence.

From choosing the right structure to preparing operating agreements, we offer strategic legal support tailored to your goals and Oregon’s business laws. Contact us today for a confidential consultation.