If the pooled investment is large enough, it may even make sense to create it as a C Corp without an S Corp election.The main point I'd make is not to be penny smart and pound foolish.

I have a $200 pet fee and $25/month of pet rent if the dog is 25-50 pounds.

I'd tell him to pound sand.

I used to be as black and white as the OP about this subject until I actually went to a few of the really large events.Sat and talked to attendee's that paid 30 to 40k to go.. many frankly were real estate brokers... and other professionals.I do think though pounding on folks who have no money and getting them to run up their credit cards to pay to go to the event is something I am no totally comfortable with.. but then I think of that little company called Hewlet Packard and think back on how they started with a 10k loan in a garage in Palo Alto right down the street from were I used to live.. were did they end up.So when I go to these events as an invited vendor..

When I lived there the owner was like 60 years old at least, and he had some medical issues, one to do with site, that I know of, he was like 5'8 or so and maybe weighed about 250 pounds, it would not be what you would expect to keep all of these people in line.  

Additionally you might need to "pound the pavement" locally and hand out fliers to talk with business owners and managers if they would want to move to your location etc.  

When I had granite installed in the house I live in, one piece weighed 600 pounds.

You can still manage to use/distribute shares on an LLC and if it's privately done the SEC won't be pounding on your door eitherHope it helpsGarrett 

Now in my lease, I do include a $250 non refundable pet fee and give preference to tenants with no pets but will allow a small dog <25 pounds.

Your “superior” postings don’t indicate you have all the answers especially if it is to pound your chest as if we should all pay attention.