Privacy Strategies for Business Owners: How to Protect Your Name, Address & Assets
Privacy isn’t just a luxury anymore—it’s a necessity. As you build wealth and grow your business, more people can find your name, your home address, and even your asset holdings online. And that kind of visibility can lead to lawsuits, angry tenants, stalkers, identity theft—or just plain discomfort.
In this week’s episode of the Main Street Business Podcast, Mark J. Kohler and Mat Sorensen dive deep into the growing importance of privacy for business owners and investors, and how entity structuring plays a crucial role in keeping your life and assets protected.
Watch the full episode of the Main Street Business Podcast for the complete breakdown.
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The Two Types of Privacy You Need to Know
There are two privacy goals every business owner should understand:
- Personal Privacy: Keeping your name and address off public records and state filings.
- Asset Privacy: Hiding ownership of specific assets (like a rental property or investment) so that no one knows you own it.
This isn’t about doing something shady—it’s about staying safe. Mark shares story after story of real clients who’ve had angry tenants show up at their homes, or investors who’ve gotten lawsuits simply because their name was easily accessible.
The #1 Mistake: Member-Managed LLCs
Most DIY LLCs are member-managed, which means your name is right there on the state database as the owner. Bad move. The better structure? A manager-managed LLC with a registered agent who isn’t you.
Even better? Use a Wyoming LLC (or similar private state) as the owner and manager of a second LLC in your home state. This layering tactic allows you to file entities with zero personal name or address exposure on public record—legally.
What About Your Address?
Your address shows up in multiple places on state documents:
- Registered agent
- Manager/owner
- Company address
You should avoid using your home address at all costs. Instead, use a registered agent service and a privacy address service, both offered by Main Street Business Services. These services let you use our addresses instead of your own, so you’re not getting legal notices—or worse—at your front door.
- Low-Cost, High-Impact Privacy Moves
- Use a manager-managed LLC, not member-managed
- Hire a registered agent (don’t list yourself)
- Set up a Wyoming LLC to own your public-facing LLC
- Get a privacy address service to avoid using your home or PO box
- Consult with a lawyer to understand your options before setting up
Privacy doesn’t have to be expensive or complex. But doing nothing? That could cost you far more than you think.
Camouflage + Bulletproof Vest: The Perfect Protection Combo
As Mark puts it, privacy is like a camouflage jacket. Asset protection is your bulletproof vest. If someone’s determined, they might still find you—but for 99% of threats, these tools will shield you from legal and personal chaos.
And the sooner you implement these tools, the better. The deeper the paper trail, the harder it is to erase.
Ready to Fortify Your Structure? Talk to our legal team for a Privacy & Asset Protection Consultation today and learn what holes exist in your current structure—and how to patch them before it’s too late. Schedule a Consultation with KKOS Lawyers.
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