Entity compliance isn't the work most finance and operations leaders think about every day - but when something slips through the cracks, the consequences can be significant.

As the CFO and Head of Operations at Long Journey Ventures, Dani Tustin oversees finance, legal, compliance, investor relations, and firm operations. Entity compliance was just one item on a long list, and it had grown more complicated than it needed to be.

After partnering with Discern, Dani now has a single clear view of the entire entity portfolio, and that visibility identified opportunities to strengthen and standardize the existing process.

The Challenge: Centralizing Entity Management at Scale

Before Discern, Dani's entity registrations were spread across multiple providers:

• 11 self-managed California registrations

• One provider managed several Delaware entities

• Another served as the registered agent for the remaining registrations

As Long Journey’s entity count grew to 27 registrations across multiple jurisdictions and providers, Dani was frustrated by the lack of a single source of truth for compliance obligations, registered agent assignments, or filing responsibilities. Account access and reporting varied across providers, making it time-consuming to retrieve records, review upcoming deadlines, and maintain a consolidated view of the portfolio.

During onboarding, Discern’s review also surfaced a specific issue worth fixing immediately: 11 California entities listed Dani personally as the registered agent, rather than a commercial registered agent. Discern flagged it and managed the transition.

A Clearer View of Entity Compliance

As Discern reviewed Dani's entity portfolio, the team helped consolidate information that had previously been spread across multiple systems.

Discern not only managed the transition but also established an ongoing process she could trust.

Improving Visibility Before Small Issues Become Larger Ones

One of the biggest differences for Dani wasn't simply moving providers - it was gaining earlier visibility into items that could be addressed before they became operational or compliance concerns. Rather than acting solely as a registered agent, Discern helped provide visibility across the entire entity portfolio.

"Moving to Discern, we feel so much more taken care of and can trust the process." — Dani Tustin, Chief Financial Officer

Software That Makes Compliance Simpler

The Discern platform replaced fragmented systems with an intuitive experience and a straightforward onboarding.

When a new teammate joined, they were able to onboard independently and begin managing filings right away.

"It's super easy compared to the alternatives." — Dani Tustin, Chief Financial Officer

The intuitive platform made it easier for the team to access records, manage filings, and stay organized.

Less Administrative Work

Before Discern, Dani’s AP team often processed up to 15 separate invoices and receipts from different registered agents across different entities.

Today, billing is consolidated into a single invoice, reducing administrative work while making it easier to track compliance costs.

The time savings matter - but the larger benefit is confidence that nothing is being overlooked.

"The value isn’t just the platform – it’s having clearer visibility and confidence that the process is being managed consistently." — Dani Tustin, Chief Financial Officer

A Partner, Not Just a Provider

Technology alone wasn't what stood out most.

For Dani, the biggest difference has been having a responsive team she can rely on when questions arise.

Instead of navigating entity compliance alone, she has a partner who helps resolve issues and keeps the process moving.

As Dani puts it:

"With Discern, the team isn’t just doing their jobs; they actually care about our business."

The Result

Today, Dani has:

• Complete visibility across her entity portfolio

• Confidence that registered agent responsibilities are properly managed

• A centralized platform for filings, notices, and records

• Consolidated billing across registrations

• Proactive reminders and compliance monitoring

• A trusted partner to help resolve issues before they become problems

For finance and operations leaders, entity compliance is rarely the most visible part of the job - but it becomes critical when something goes wrong.

Discern helps ensure it doesn't.

"For people in roles like mine, there's so much on our plate constantly. Having a reliable process that doesn’t require constant manual oversight is incredibly impactful."

Today, Dani has a centralized view of the entity portfolio, clearer visibility into ongoing obligations, and a trusted partner supporting Long Journey’s compliance process.