trademarks

Still a newbie in search of a truck/trailer, and I have question...so many questions  LOL
 
Good idea to structure as a LLC even if I am the sole owner with nothing to loose? I say yes, family says no. Friends have no clue what an LLC is. What expenses are involved in that (filing for it, paying taxes on it even if I'm not selling yet, etc).
 
How many of y'all have trademarks on your business name and/or hot dog names? Found a search tool on mobile cuisine (great little resource).  If a trademark is 'dead' is it then available to be issued to someone else?  Business school was a long time ago for me LOL
 
Thanks in advance :-)
 
 
 
 
 

I trade marked my business name for the reason of I don't want anyone else using my name.

In regards to the taxes, the dept of revenue will ask you what month do you plan on actually make sales.

My tax lady ( who has over 30 yrs exp) says for my state of Arizona I only need to start reporting when I make my first transaction, now this may vary by state and I'm no where near a tax specialist, but I'm sure if you ask the person who does your taxes they could give you a better idea.