
Founded: 2023 by David Seybert
Mission: To simplify everyday laundry with eco-conscious, compact detergent strips
Product: Travel-ready & low-carbon laundry detergent strips
Industry: E-commerce | Retail
Website: Strips
Headcount: 2-10
If building a US business from abroad sounds challenging, imagine launching a US-based eco-friendly, retail brand from overseas.
No US address. No Social Security Number. No local bank. On top of that, now you’ll have to get it on American shelves.
Sounds nearly impossible, right?
Most non-US founders get stuck in legalities, compliance confusion, or banking formalities for months, and reaching US customers remains a dream.
But David Seybert, the founder of Strips, beat the odds.
This blog isn’t just the story of how David Seybert built Strips. It’s a blueprint: a tactical, inspirational, proven playbook for building a real US business from outside the country.
We’ll also show how doola empowers thousands of global e-commerce entrepreneurs each year, guiding them through every step of the US business journey, from formation to compliance and beyond.
Meet David Seybert: The Visionary Behind Strips
David Seybert is the founder of Strips, a sustainability-first brand focused on simplifying everyday laundry with eco-friendly, compact detergent strips, reducing plastic waste while delivering unmatched convenience.
Designed to dissolve instantly and eliminate messy measuring, Strips delivers low-waste, low-carbon cleaning, perfect for home, travel, and the planet.
But David wasn’t in the US when the idea took off.
As a global citizen and entrepreneur, David understood the market potential of selling to US customers. But like many, he knew that getting started overseas would be a massive lift.
With vision, persistence, and the right tools, David transformed Strips from an idea into a DTC brand trusted by US consumers, and doola was at the heart of that transformation.
The Journey & Timeline: How David Seybert Built Strips With doola
Most people think building a US business from overseas takes months of paperwork and insider know-how.
David Seybert proved otherwise. With doola in his corner, he moved fast: forming his company, setting up banking, and shipping products to American customers in record time.
Let’s break down the key milestones that shaped Strips’ journey.
Idea & Conceptualization of Strips
David first envisioned Strips as a global-first brand that would revolutionize how people do laundry: no mess, no waste, no plastic.
Tired of bulky detergent jugs, spills, and single-use plastics, he spotted a major opportunity: ultra-light, pre-measured laundry detergent strips that are compact, eco-friendly, and travel-ready.
His mission was clear: make clean laundry cleaner for the planet and simpler for everyday life, whether at home or on the road.
Launched With doola
With his sights set on the US market, David chose to launch Strips the smart way. He teamed up with doola to handle the essentials: forming his US LLC, securing his EIN, and appointing a registered agent.
David knew that wasting time on paperwork could cost him momentum.
The entire process was fast, seamless, and handled remotely, allowing David to stay laser-focused on building the Strips brand while doola took care of the backend infrastructure.
This decision saved weeks (if not months) of back-and-forth and ensured compliance from day one.
First US Shipments
With a compliant US business entity and a fully functional bank account set up through doola, David was able to unlock key fulfillment partners and payment gateways fast.
In just a few months, Strips was shipping to customers across the US, proving that with the right infrastructure, global e-commerce brands can scale across borders with ease.
Rapid Brand Growth: Strategic Marketplace Partnerships
With a legitimate US business structure established through doola, Strips quickly gained access to leading wellness marketplaces, including Amazon, catapulting the brand into the spotlight.
The credibility opened doors, while David’s marketplace expertise built trust and traction with American consumers.
From concept to commerce, David’s journey with Strips is a masterclass in how global entrepreneurs can overcome borders, and with the right support, build brands that scale in the world’s most competitive market.
The Problem: Global Founder Barriers to US Business
For international entrepreneurs, starting a US business often means facing barriers before even hitting “start.” What should be a straightforward process is weighed down by regulations that don’t account for founders outside the system.
Common Challenges Faced by Global Entrepreneurs
Before bringing Strips to the US market, David ran into the following roadblocks, and if you’re a global entrepreneur, chances are you’ve faced them too.
❌ No SSN or US Address = No Bank Account
Most US banks require a Social Security Number and a residential US address to open a business account.
For non-resident founders, this shuts the door on accessing essential financial infrastructure, crippling operations before they’ve even begun.
❌ Confusion Around IRS Forms & Compliance
From obtaining an EIN to staying compliant with federal and state tax requirements, US paperwork can be complex.
Without localized legal context or expert guidance, international founders risk making missteps that could trigger fines or jeopardize their business standing.
❌ Costly DIY Errors & Legal Bills
The “do-it-yourself” route may often seem cheaper, until a missed filing or wrong entity type causes IRS issues.
On the other hand, hiring traditional lawyers often comes with sky-high retainers and hourly fees, making it unsustainable for early-stage entrepreneurs operating across borders.
❌ Rejections From US Service Providers
Founders are frequently met with rejections, unsupported documentation requirements, or endless back-and-forth, slowing growth and blocking momentum.
Many US-based platforms and financial services aren’t built for non-residents.
And it doesn’t take long for visionary founders like David to spot the cracks in traditional solutions like LegalZoom and Stripe Atlas. These platforms offer templates, not “tailored support” for non-resident entrepreneurs ready to build big.
But what these founders really need is an all-in-one platform designed for global scale.
The Solution: Why David Chose doola
Here’s exactly what convinced him to go ahead with doola:
✅ LLC Formation: No Travel Required
David formed a fully compliant US LLC, without ever setting foot in the country. doola handled the paperwork, filings, and state-level requirements end-to-end.
✅ EIN Issuance for Banking Access
doola secured David’s Employer Identification Number (EIN), a must-have for tax filings and financial operations, without requiring US residency or a Social Security Number..
✅ US Business Bank Account: 100% Remote Setup
With doola’s banking partners, David opened a US business bank account entirely online, bypassing the legal complexities that trip up global founders.
✅ Total Compliance & Ongoing Support
From annual filings to IRS deadlines, doola’s services ensured David’s company stayed on the right side of the law, year-round and stress-free.
✅ Human Support: Real Experts, Not Bots
Every question David had was answered by real humans, startup specialists who understood the non-resident journey and provided guidance at every turn.
In less than 3 weeks, David went from signup to a fully operational US business. doola proved to be the ultimate global-friendly launchpad, delivering speed, precision, and peace of mind.
Now, let’s compare the conventional approach with doola’s founder-first model and uncover why international entrepreneurs trust doola to launch with confidence.
Service | Built for Non-US Founders | EIN | US Bank Account | Tax Filing Support | Annual Compliance | Support Quality |
doola | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Human-led |
LegalZoom | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | Mixed |
Stripe Atlas | ❌Invite-only | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | Limited |
DIY | ❌No support | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌None |
For David and thousands of e-commerce founders operating globally, doola is the only solution that checks every box.
It isn’t just about setup, it’s about formation that can fuel real traction in high-stakes marketplaces like Amazon.
Behind the Brand: How Strips Reached US Customers
When David launched Strips, he wasn’t just selling products, he was building a brand meant to thrive globally. And the game changed the moment he set up a real US LLC and business bank account through doola.
With the right infrastructure in place, his brand gained the credibility, access, and momentum it needed to break into the American market, fast.
Growth Milestones That Took Strips to the Next Level
Equipped with the proper setup, David was finally able to operate like a US brand, and the results speak for themselves.
These key milestones show how Strips leveled up from a global idea to a trusted brand in the US market.
1. Onboarded With Major US Marketplaces
David was finally able to list on top-tier platforms (e.g., Amazon) that only work with US-registered businesses, unlocking massive visibility and credibility.
2. Displayed Real US Address & Payment Gateway
A verified US business address and bank-powered checkout experience helped boost customer confidence, especially among American shoppers.
3. Increased Conversion Rates With Local Checkout Flow
By switching from an international payment processor to a US-based one, Strips saw a sharp increase in conversions: less friction, more trust.
4. Formed Key Partnerships With US Logistics Providers
Having a registered US business entity opened doors with fulfillment and shipping partners who required local documentation.
What Made the Difference: The doola Advantage
✔️ US Presence = Instant Legitimacy: A real US LLC, business bank account, and EIN were trust signals that helped David win over customers, suppliers, and partners from the start.
✔️ Stress-Free Compliance, Handled Automatically: With doola handling annual filings and deadline reminders, compliance became one less thing to worry about, freeing up more time.
✔️ More Focus, Less Admin: Instead of getting buried in paperwork or scrambling to stay compliant, David focused on what mattered most: building a standout brand and scaling growth.
Lessons & Tips from David’s Global Founder Journey
During a recent chat with doola, David shared a piece of advice he received early on that continues to shape how he runs his business:
Everyone has the power to be in a good mood or bad mood, no matter what the outcome of any situation is.
From the earliest days of building Strips, David has lived this lesson, anchored in resilience, clarity, and smart decision-making. And for founders around the globe, especially those launching from outside the US, his story is packed with practical takeaways.
Here are the biggest learnings from his playbook:
1. Don’t DIY Your Dream
When you try to piece together legal filings, tax paperwork, and banking setup on your own, you’re burning hours, and energy, that should be going into your product and customers.
Time is your most precious resource. DIY formation eats it up with trial and error.
David learned this firsthand. In his words:
Instead of falling into the trap of reactive to-do lists, he doubled down on prioritization and brought in doola to handle the backend. The result? More time to build, less time stressing over forms and filings.
2. Invest in Structure Early
Founders often think formation and compliance are one-time hurdles. They’re not, they’re foundations and need continuous attention.
David emphasized that clear structure at the start helped him avoid messy cleanups later and made his business “scale-ready” when the time came to grow.
With doola, he didn’t just form an LLC, he built a system that could support his ambitions globally.
3. Customer Trust Starts with Paperwork
In any global marketplace today:
First impressions are made in milliseconds.
And credibility is currency. So a US business entity and bank account don’t just keep the wheels turning, they signal trust and professionalism.
For David, these weren’t just boxes to tick. They were vital assets that gave his business immediate credibility with partners, suppliers, and investors.
With doola, he gained the legitimacy to scale quickly and confidently in the US market.
How doola Empowers Global Entrepreneurs (Beyond Formation)
doola turns your global vision into a US reality. We set up your LLC, secure your EIN (no SSN or US address required), and help you open a US bank account remotely.
You’ll get instant access to payment platforms like Stripe and PayPal, plus tax filing and compliance support, so you can scale with confidence and credibility from anywhere.
Why Global E-Commerce Founders like David Choose doola
International sellers who understand the intricacies of platforms like Amazon know that success starts with structure, and that structure has to be built by experts who get e-commerce. That’s why e-commerce sellers worldwide trust doola to get every detail right.
- Built specifically for non-residents: Every service by doola is designed to serve international founders, regardless of location, visa status, or citizenship.
- The Total Compliance Plan has your back: From annual reports and filings to ongoing support, you’ll never miss a deadline.
- Registered agent service included: You get a real US address and a trusted point of contact for all legal and government communications.
- Compliance reminders: Powered by automation, doola keeps tabs on every filing deadline and sends you smart, timely reminders, so you never have to worry about messy spreadsheets or tax-time chaos.
- Seamless US business banking: Open and manage your US bank account without stepping foot in the country.
- Real human support: Our customer success team understands the unique challenges of global founders and is ready to help you every step of the way.
David Seybert built a brand from outside the US with no SSN, no US address, and no background in American compliance.
But he had doola. Today, Strips is thriving in the US e-commerce space, with more growth on the way.
And now, it’s your turn to chart your path to success.Ready to launch your US dream like David?