Not sure if this helps in your industry but my SO works in hotels. First thing she does is update the product aka the rooms. Next she a Brand Deck. This is the over all look of what people see when they are looking for your product. Basically changes the look of the name, colors, advertisements, the way you address the customers. Basically anything your customers see gets tweaked over time. Could be a few weeks or months depending on how rapidly your customers see it. If repeat costumers buy the product daily it’s fairly fast, if it’s 2 times a year than slower. Lastly once people start to get use to the new look, if needed, the name will change. Normally something like “Beach Front Hotel” smaller words underneath “A Great Spot Hotel*. This gets people seeing the new name associated with the old. Once all that’s done it’s switched.

Again not sure if this helps but I think the idea is slowly letting people know things are changing but it’s still the same great product they are use to.

On a side note. If you’re rebranding because something happened where you don’t want to be associated with the old brand this probably won’t work.

Please talk to a CPA or Lawyer about this but what it sounds like to me is that you want to keep you and your brothers liability separate from the business. One LLC with a new business checking, saving, CC, etc, should be fine but if you truly want to keep the business separate from your own money/liability then you should look into an S(maybe c) Corp. This structure basically take all profits and loses and passes them through the business and then pays you a as an employee of the business. There is lots of things to look at in any business structure but with a S Corp you should only be liable for the amount each investor contributes. Basically if you throw in 100k and your brother puts 50k then neither of you are on the hook for the full 150k.

Again look into each and then talk to a professional before you make a decision. 1-5k now in fees will save you a lot more later. Also, 100% get an Operating Agreement vetted by a lawyer before you do anything. They will ask you shit you will never think of like if you’re in a coma for 30 days who does your authority go to. Trust it’s better to get this out of the way now then if/when shit goes wrong.

This is the one. I always say “ I’m sorry but unfortunately I’m booked up on X date.” And if they ask for the nearest date I give it a month or two later. Don’t think I’ve ever gotten a persistent person after that. Side note, I’m a private chef so specific days are normally asked for so this may not work for everyone.