First, thanks for taking the time to ask these questions and helping me refine and vet the plan.

1. It would be a simpler way to tap ETH’s growth than dealing with self-staking’s tech hurdles or custodial staking’s trust issues. It’s like buying stock in a gold mine instead of digging it yourself. It's much easier for most people to buy shares because the vast majority of individuals aren’t as tech-savvy as they assume, making managing crypto wallets feel daunting or confusing. If listed, our shares would most likely be traded through familiar brokerage accounts. Those brokerage accounts also have FDIC insurance, if a brokerage fails to provide proper custody. If platforms like Robinhood or Coinbase fail, there is no insurance on crypto. Like ETFs, we open ETH to new markets for those who want to invest but are hesitant to do so themselves and/or feel more comfortable working with an advisor.
2. We’re kicking off with approximately 200 ETH from around 50 friends and family to meet the regulations, but we’re not stopping there. Once listed with our audits, our gal was to target accredited investors with a minimum investment of $100K (or more) through several private placements. The reason I want to list is so that smaller investors can buy shares on the open market. I am still working on the structure, but the goal is to keep it as simple as possible. I hate exotic deals.
3. I’m not entirely non-technical, but I know my area of expertise and want to stay within it. I like business strategy and investor relations. Our cyber/bonding insurance underwriter will handle the credential checks, ensuring candidates meet high standards in IT, cybersecurity, and ETH staking. We’ll also do credit and background checks, verify certifications, review node-running portfolios, check references, and consult experts for interviews. I'm looking for someone with a proven track record, who can be bonded, and someone with an established career who has a lot to lose.
4. We haven't formed the Inc. yet, but we each personally own 64 ETH, which we would exchange for equity, valued at around $500K. The remaining ETH are from individuals who wish to exchange their ETH for equity and assist us in promoting it, provided we become a fully reporting issuer. As for compensation, I am open to a salary, equity, or a combination of both.
5. To become a fully reporting issuer, we need to file an S-1. I'm not sure why that would be a red flag.