Apr 29, 2025
When you’re in the thick of growing a business—juggling invoices, client work, taxes, and future plans—it’s easy to put off structural decisions like which business entity to choose. But what if that choice could be the difference between surviving and scaling?
Today, we’re spotlighting a member story that illustrates exactly that. Meet Jasmine Lee, a digital marketing strategist who made the leap from sole proprietorship to C‑Corporation as her business gained momentum. Her decision wasn’t made lightly—but the payoff has been well worth it.
This is her story.
Meet Jasmine: From Freelancer to Founder
Jasmine started her digital marketing consultancy in late 2020. Like many solopreneurs, she hit the ground running with a personal brand, a Squarespace site, and a handful of loyal clients. She operated as a sole proprietor, kept clean records, and focused on building relationships and delivering results.
“Honestly, I didn’t think much about structure in the beginning,” Jasmine told us. “I was just trying to get paid, stay organized, and not make tax season harder than it had to be.”
By mid-2023, things were changing. Jasmine had brought on a part-time assistant, launched a digital product, and was looking at her first six-figure year. With higher revenue came higher tax bills, more complicated systems, and a growing feeling that she needed to level up.
Why She Considered a C‑Corp
“I started researching LLCs and S‑Corps because everyone was talking about tax savings,” Jasmine explained. “But when I looked deeper, I realized a C‑Corp might actually be a better fit for how I wanted to grow.”
Her top priorities:
Paying herself a consistent salary
Keeping personal and business finances 100% separate
Retaining profits in the business for future investments
Reducing her audit risk as things scaled
“I didn’t want to be the bottleneck in my business,” she said. “I wanted a structure that could grow with me—not something I’d outgrow in a year.”
The double taxation myth gave her pause, but once she learned how owner compensation and smart expense management worked inside a C‑Corp, it started to make a lot more sense.
Making the Move (With Support)
Jasmine worked with Lifestyle to set up her C‑Corp. “It was a relief to have someone else handle the paperwork, make sure I filed in the right state, and get everything compliant from day one,” she said.
One of the biggest surprises? The peace of mind.
“I didn’t realize how much mental bandwidth I was wasting by always wondering if I was doing things ‘right.’ Now I know I’m paying myself the right way, I’ve got a legit payroll system, and I’m set up for tax season year-round.”
What Changed After Incorporating
Jasmine shared a few of the biggest shifts she noticed after becoming a C‑Corp:
Consistent salary: She now runs payroll monthly, paying herself like a true employee.
Smarter expenses: “I finally understood how to make my money work for me.”
Tax confidence: With Lifestyle handling her compliance, she knows exactly what to expect.
Business mindset: “It sounds small, but I started thinking like a CEO—not just a freelancer.”
She also appreciated the audit protection and formal recordkeeping that come with being a C‑Corp. “It’s like building on concrete instead of sand.”
Advice for Other Business Owners
“If your revenue is growing and you want to build real wealth—not just make money—don’t overlook the C‑Corp option,” Jasmine advises. “It’s not just for Silicon Valley startups. It’s for people who are serious about playing the long game.”
She encourages others to talk to a professional and think beyond the immediate tax season. “Structure is strategy. And getting support is an investment, not an expense.”
The Takeaway
Jasmine’s story is a powerful reminder that the right structure isn’t about what’s popular—it’s about what’s aligned with your growth, your goals, and your workflow.
Key lessons from her journey:
C‑Corp offers powerful tools for long-term growth—not just compliance
Paying yourself through payroll can bring simplicity and savings
Done-for-you support lets you focus on your genius zone
How Lifestyle Helps
At Lifestyle, we help members like Jasmine build and manage their C‑Corps with ease. From entity setup to ongoing compliance, we take the admin burden off your plate—so you can do what you love while building real wealth.