As a businesswoman and aerialist I started my company "Robin Lynch Aerialist".  As the daughter of a business professor in Westchester County, I set up my business by the book.  My business is registered and I have an EIN number.  Businesses like me because I have the EIN number and they can write me off as a legitimate business expense.   The EIN                 number makes people feel comfortable in hiring me because they know I won't charge them an arm and a leg for my services.  I did a lot of research and networking to know what people in Westchester County are willing to pay for entertainment. I charge a flat rate and not an hourly rate.  There are no hidden fees.  I don't charge surcharges for "difficult customers".  Everyone pays the same price. 

Before you hire a company, you can always check the Westchester County Clerk's office.  They have a database of all businesses registered in Westchester County.  You can also call NYS Dept. of Taxation and they will tell you if a company has an EIN or not.  If you have a company in NYS you must operate it with an EIN number.  You can initially set it up with a social security number but you must get an EIN number to operate the business.  I am the onlly registered aerial company in Westchester County. 

The next time you have a party, whip out your W9 forms.  Have the company provide their EIN number so you can legitmately write them off.