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Too Tall Lanes Is A Real Business
You just did what most people talk about. LLC formed, EIN in hand, business account open, credit file started. Now when you walk into TexasBank or meet Susan's contact — you're not pitching an idea. You're running a company.
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File a Certificate of Formation with the Texas Secretary of State. This is the legal act that creates Too Tall Lanes LLC as a real entity. Takes 20 minutes online. Once you have the filing number, every other step opens up — EIN, bank account, lender applications.
📋 WHAT YOU NEED TO FILE
- LLC name: Too Tall Lanes LLC (check availability first on SOSDirect)
- Registered agent: Use yourself initially — put your Stephenville address
- Business purpose: "Bowling alley, arcade, and entertainment venue"
- Management structure: Member-managed (you're the only member)
- Registered office: Your Stephenville address
- Credit or debit card for the $300 filing fee
🗂 HOW TO FILL IT OUT
1
Go to SOSDirect at the link below. Create a free account (you'll need it for future filings too).
2
Select "File a New Business Organization" → Domestic Limited Liability Company.
3
Enter the name "Too Tall Lanes LLC" — run the availability check first. If taken, try "Too Tall Lanes, LLC" or add ", Stephenville".
4
Business purpose field: type "To operate a bowling alley, arcade, and entertainment venue."
5
Registered agent: Choose "I am the registered agent" and enter your full name and Stephenville address.
6
Management type: Select "Member-managed." Enter your name as the sole member.
7
Pay $300 by card. Download and save your Certificate of Formation PDF — you'll need this for the bank and lenders.
💡 Print it. The Certificate of Formation PDF you download is the document bankers and lenders will ask for. Save it to Google Drive and also text yourself a copy. Do not lose it.
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your business's Social Security number. You need it to open a business bank account, apply for loans, hire employees, and file taxes. It's issued instantly by the IRS — no wait. You must have your LLC formed first (you'll need the state filing number).
📋 WHAT YOU NEED
- Your LLC Certificate of Formation (from Step 1)
- Your Social Security Number (required as the "responsible party")
- LLC name and Stephenville address
- Business type: Limited Liability Company
- Reason for applying: "Started a new business"
🗂 HOW TO FILE
1
Go to the IRS EIN online application at the link below. Only available Mon–Fri, 7am–10pm ET.
2
Select "Limited Liability Company" as entity type. Then select "I started a new business."
3
Number of members: 1 (sole member). You are the responsible party — enter your name and SSN.
4
Business name: Too Tall Lanes LLC. Principal business activity: Amusement and Recreation Services.
5
Complete the application. Your EIN is issued immediately on screen and by email. Print or save the confirmation letter (CP575) — banks require this.
💡 Save the CP575 letter. The IRS EIN confirmation letter is what banks want when you open a business account. It has your EIN printed on it. Screenshot it, download it, don't lose it.
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WHERE
In-person, Stephenville
A separate business checking account keeps your personal and business money apart — which is the #1 thing lenders and investors look for. It also starts your business banking relationship with TexasBank, the same bank you'll eventually approach for the SBA 7(a) loan. Walk in, bring your docs, walk out with an account.
📋 BRING ALL OF THESE
- Certificate of Formation (the PDF you downloaded from SOS in Step 1)
- EIN confirmation letter (CP575 from the IRS in Step 2)
- Your personal government ID (driver's license)
- A small opening deposit ($25 or whatever they require — ask ahead)
- Your personal SSN (for account verification)
🏦 AT THE BRANCH — SAY THIS
1
Ask for "a business checking account for a new LLC." Hand them your Certificate of Formation and EIN letter.
2
Ask about "no minimum balance business checking" — you don't want monthly fees while the business is pre-revenue.
3
Tell them you're pursuing an SBA 7(a) loan in the next 6–12 months. Ask who handles SBA loans and get that person's card. This starts the relationship early.
4
Ask if they work with PeopleFund or LiftFund CDFIs as co-lenders. TexasBank may have done CDFI stack deals before.
💡 Why TexasBank Stephenville specifically: They're local, they know Erath County, and building a banking relationship there early makes your eventual SBA loan conversation much warmer. You want to be a known customer, not a cold applicant.
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APPLY TIME
5–10 minutes
A DUNS Number is a 9-digit business credit identifier issued by Dun & Bradstreet. It's required for most government grants, federal programs (including many SBA applications), and some CDFI lenders. Apply now — it takes 1–2 weeks to receive, so start the clock while you're doing everything else.
📋 WHAT YOU NEED
- Your LLC name: Too Tall Lanes LLC
- Stephenville, TX business address
- Your EIN (from Step 2)
- Year business started: 2026
- Number of employees: 1 (just you, for now)
- Primary business description: "Bowling alley and entertainment venue"
🗂 HOW TO APPLY
1
Go to the D&B registration link below. Select "Get a D-U-N-S Number" for a U.S. business.
2
Search for your company first — it may already exist if the SOS filing propagated. If not, select "Request a new DUNS."
3
Fill in your LLC name, Stephenville address, EIN, and business description. Submit — it's free, no credit card needed.
4
You'll receive your DUNS number by email in 1–2 weeks. Note it in your files — you'll need it for USDA, SBA, and some CDFI applications.
💡 Why this matters later: The USDA Rural Business Development Grant and many SBA programs require a DUNS number. Apply now so it's ready when you need it — don't let a 2-week wait slow you down at a critical moment.
WHY THIS MATTERS
From Idea to Real Company — Today
"Have to act like we do in order to get someone to give it to us."
An LLC + EIN + business bank account costs $300 total and takes one afternoon. After that, Too Tall Lanes is a real legal entity. Not an idea — a company.
When Susan introduces you to an investor or a CDFI lender, you can say "we're already incorporated, here's our EIN" instead of "we're thinking about it." That's the difference between a conversation and a deal. Every step on this page moves you from talker to operator.