Many overlook the differentiating factor between most truly successful businesses and others: the business owner is separated from the business, leaving it flexible for whatever may come in the future. Owning a business means taking into account all potential options for the future (looking long term); not necessarily those that come to mind now (beware […]

First things first: if your business is anything other than a hobby, or even merely a profitable hobby, you should at least have an LLC. Here’s why. Second, generally speaking, an LLC is the most flexible, and therefore the most prudent form of business formation for the vast majority of small to mid-sized business owners. […]

Every business owner knows that at some point in the lifetime of their business, they must make a decision as to the proper type of formation. However, what many business owners fail to recognize is that this is an ongoing consideration that must be revisited time and time again during the lifespan of a business. […]

Entering into partnerships can oftentimes be one of the most prudent ways to grow your business; provided, of course, that you take time to do so correctly. It does not matter how well you and your business partner get along now, you must take the time to put the proper agreements in place. In a […]

This afternoon, Taylor Swift published a scathing and brutality honest response to the sale of Big Machine, and thereby, ownership of her masters. More can be found on her Instagram, but a snippet: “For years I asked, pleaded for a chance to own my work…Instead I was given an opportunity to sign back up to […]

There is a step of the registration process of trademarks that you must be informed of prior to filing: the tangible proof of your use of your goods and/or services in commerce required on your application. Trademark attorneys must walk a delicate balance in the name of protecting their clients: filing in a way that […]

Few people have had as great of an impact on my business than Katie O. Selvidge, and it was an absolute joy to join her recently for an interview on the Creative Well™. From Katie O. Selvidge: featuring my attorney Paige Hulse of Paige Hulse Law and Shop Creative Law I’m going to give you some tough love: […]

One of the easiest ways to invite legal liability onto your business’ proverbial doorstep? Rushing blindly into hiring, or outsourcing any tasks. Business owners must understand the general differences between employees and independent contractors. Not only is this this a fundamental legal consideration, but one that carries significant task penalties and repercussions. In other words, […]

This post is part two of the two-part series on becoming a visionary leader in business (post one can be found here). Nothing in business can be assumed, or taken for granted, and the longer you are in business, the more evident that becomes. According to some statisticians: “a surprising 42% of businesses fail because […]

This post is part one of a two part series on how to be a visionary leader in your business. Post two can be found here. In a word: integrity. We all have our own ways of defining our “guideposts” in how we conduct business. For some, they’ve been converted into clever taglines, beautiful slogans, […]