re: Who here has started their own business?

LLC is just a hybrid entity where you can choose how you want to be taxed (e.g. partnership, s-corp). Just starting out I would roll as a sole proprietor since a single member LLC isn't going to offer you asset protection in 95% of US states.

Once you turn a profit you can then look at whether you want to stay as a sole proprietorship or form an S-Corp. No need to jump into those complexities until you start turning a profit or you're doing some high liability work.

As a sole proprietorship you still can take advantage of the new 20% deduction for qualified business income with the new tax Act and there are little to no fees when it comes to setting up a sole prop.