Office Talk with Annette Stepanian

Do you want to use your customer’s testimonials when marketing your products or services, but not sure about the legal implications? In this Legal Quickie episode, I cover the legal basics of using testimonials in your business - like on your website, in email copy, or paid social media ads. Before you start flaunting your customer’s glowing reviews, listen to this episode.  To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer:  This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation.  If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

Is email marketing dead? Absolutely not! But some of the old strategies certainly are. In this episode, I’m chatting with email marketing strategist, Lesley Clavijo. We get super honest about email list size, why email marketing is still more important than social media, the truth behind lead magnets, and so much more! You’ll want to check out this episode before you hit “send” on your next email.  To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer:  This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation.  If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

From speaking on-stage to recording videos for social media, to team meetings, public speaking is a vital skill for any entrepreneur -  and you too can learn how to become a better speaker!  In this episode, I’m talking with speaking coach and speechwriter, Helena Bowen. We talk about some (very big) misconceptions about learning to become a better public speaker, including the double-edged sword that is your slides, and the #1 skill you need to improve to be a better public speaker. To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer:  This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation.  If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

If hearing the word “sell” makes you shudder, you’re not alone! Sales calls and closing sales can be the most difficult part of being a business owner for most of us, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, I’m chatting with long-time wedding planner and wedding business strategist, Lindsey Nickel. Lindsey shares how important contracts are, 4 great tips for standing out in crowded industries, how to overcome your anxiety when asking for the sale, and so much more! To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer:  This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation.  If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

Running an event rental business comes with its own unique challenges, especially with managing your inventory! In this episode, I’m chatting with long-time event rental pro and co-founder of RW Elephant, Allison Howell. Allison’s insights about inventory management, pricing, and how to stay profitable long-term are fantastic for event rental businesses and other businesses alike.   To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer:  This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation.  If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

Mamas-to-be, this one if for you! Whether this is your first baby, or you’re adding another member to your family, pregnancy can be different every time. In this episode, I’m sharing my favorite tips, tricks, and advice from friends, family, and my own experience to help you with your first or next pregnancy (guys, share this with the ladies in your life!) To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer:  This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation.  If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

When was the last time you sat down and did a legal audit of your business?  If you’re like most business owners, probably never. Likely, it’s low on your priority list. However, scheduling an annual review of all the legal aspects of your business is a great practice that can help protect you down the road - especially as your business continues to grow and scale.  In this episode, I share key questions to ask yourself during an annual legal review of your business.   To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer:  This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation.  If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

If you’re a contractor or business owner that does business in California, you may have heard about the new law on how to classify an Independent Contractor that goes into effect on January 1st, 2020. Confused? Overwhelmed? Not sure if the new law applies to you? Check out this episode, where we chat with employment lawyer and previous Office Talk guest, Jenny Wiegley, about all of the new changes, who they apply to, and what to do next. To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer:  This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation.  If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

Business horror story alert! Starting a new project with a new client is always exciting, especially when they’ve already paid you!   But what if the project needs to be canceled?  And worse off, what if the client asks for a refund? In this episode, I’m sharing a true story of a service provider who came across this exact situation, and unfortunately, because of one small oversight, had to refund nearly $25,000.   It happens more often than I’d like to admit, so that’s why I’m sharing this story and my insights on how to avoid this situation altogether!   To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer:  This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation.  If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

Have you ever wanted to take an extended break from your business? Maybe go on vacation, or a sabbatical, or even on maternity leave? Then this episode is for you! I’m sharing how I’m preparing for my upcoming maternity leave, including key ways I’m ensuring that my business can run without me. To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer:  This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation.  If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

Is there a legal question that you’ve had knocking around in your mind for a while? Then this is the episode for you! We’re doing a round-up of recent legal questions entrepreneurs and business owners have been asking - the answer to YOUR question may be in here too. In particular: The answer to, “Should I register the trademark for the logo of my business versus the name of my business? Or only the name of my program or product?” The answer to, “What should I do if one of my clients is asking for changes to my default contract, specifically the termination clause?” The answer to, “When hosting a group coaching program or a mastermind, do participants need to literally sign on the contract of can they just check a box to acknowledge the terms?” The answer to, “Any recommendations on how to work with vendors whose policies prohibit you from sharing examples of your work on social media or for marketing?”  Plus: Check out the new templates we’ve added to YourLegalBFF.com (specifically, the Event Venue Rental Agreement and the Group Coaching and Mastermind Terms of Service, with more to come!) To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk Disclaimer:  This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation.  If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

You never want to start out a relationship thinking about how it will end, right? Well, if you’re talking about your relationship with clients - whether you know it will be a short-term project or not - thinking about the end can save you a lot of stress and frustration! In this episode, we’re talking about terms and agreements for terminating a contract, no matter what the reason for the termination. Sometimes, a working relationship has to end, but it doesn’t have to be messy.  Check out this episode to learn how. To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer:  This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation.  If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

Working on a new product, service, or business, but not quite ready to launch yet?  If you’ve picked out a name that you’re super excited to use, but haven’t started using it yet, someone could start using that name before you.  Is there anything you can do to prevent that? Absolutely! You can buy yourself some time by filing an Intent to Use Trademark Application.  Sound complicated? It’s simple - check out this episode and learn all about how Intent to Use application can help you secure your favorite name for your new product, service, or business. To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer:  This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation.  If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

You’ve been wracking your brain to come up with a catchy name for your new business, product, or service … then you finally land on the winner! Before you rush off to get a logo created, there’s one extra step you need to take, and it’s really important. In this episode, I’m talking about trademarks and why having a unique and distinctive name is so important - both professionally and legally. Listen to this episode and save yourself lots of wasted brainstorming time (and possible trademark trouble)! To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk Disclaimer:  This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation.  If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

If you know me, you know I love a good ol’ burrito.  The flour tortilla, the guac, the cheese…. mmmmmm!  Well, believe it or not, building a legally sound business is just like building an epic burrito.    Yup, you read that right... Hear me out…. For many business owners, focusing on contracts, copyrights, and other legal topics often fall at the bottom of their to-do list.  Because it’s all so overwhelming, right? In this episode, I’m breaking down the 5 (appetizing and bite-sized) legal ingredients you need to have to build a legally sound business! To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk Disclaimer:  This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation.  If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

When the topic of copyrights comes up, there are a lot of questions! Are a copyright and a trademark the same thing? Can I copyright an idea? How can I monetize my copyrighted content? In this episode, I’ll simplify copyrights using another food analogy and a Harry Potter reference. If you create content (think: written work, visual designs, photographs, digital designs, and more) this episode is for you! To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer:  This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation.  If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

A great way to grow your business and your audience is to monetize your existing content through licensing deals with other companies (totally a win-win!).  Is a verbal agreement, maybe an email, enough in these situations? Absolutely not! A solid, detailed licensing agreement is what you need to ensure you retain ownership of your designs, while monetizing your work with more than one partner.  In this episode, we cover the basics of licensing and the most important items to understand when it comes to licensing agreements.  Whether you’re just starting out with licensing or you’ve been doing it for years, check out this episode to learn more about the essentials of licensing. To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk Disclaimer:  This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation.  If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve brought you a show!  In this episode, you’ll get an update on what’s been brewing both on the business and personal side of things.  I’m also getting a little personal in this episode by sharing some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned over the last few months as we embarked on our IVF journey. I hope this helps those of you who may be going through a similar experience.  To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk Disclaimer:  This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation.  If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

I’ve said it before, but where the heck did the year go? Are you also standing at the end of this year, wondering what you accomplished? This episode of Office Talk is particularly vulnerable for me because I’m sharing what this less-than-perfect year has brought me. I’m pretty goal-oriented but this year tells a different story. I’m reviewing my year for you and telling you about some of the changes I’ll make in 2019 to feel more at peace with where my business is going. I also share some tricks that I remembered from my past (that I’ve never talked about before) to help me meet my goals in the future. If I set goals, that is! To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian. Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential. The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

If you find yourself frustrated in your business (or in your life), you may not be asking the right questions. In this episode of Office Talk, I’m chatting with John G. Miller, author of QBQ! The Question Behind the Question (among others). Most of us ask externally-focused questions like, “Why are we going through this shift?” and “Why does this always happen to me?” Really, we should be asking ourselves questions about how we can ask more empowering questions that move us forward and help flip the switch on victim thinking, procrastination and blame. As John says in our conversation, the QBQ! The Question Behind the Question helps you get on a path of higher personal accountability and responsibility. Instead of waiting for change, you ask what you can do to make that change happen--and you help others in the process. Instead of trying to change others in your life, think instead of what you can do to support the team, partner, child, or be the best you can possibly be. If you’ve been struggling with moving forward in your business or in your home life, this episode is for you.     Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian. Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential. The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

I met Kristy Rice of Momental Designs at Be Sage Conference in 2017 I found her to be a force of creativity and energy. I’ve been so impressed with how she’s really transformed her creativity into a successful business. Kristy has a unique business because she took her own unique art skills and turned it into a scalable business with multiple revenue streams. She takes us behind the scenes of her business, sharing what her team looks like and how she created her own Silver Platter Moment. If you’re a creative who has reached her limit of time you can spend creating and developing, this episode is for you. If you’re in the wedding industry, we also talk about the changing climate and how you can stay relevant and top-of-mind. Listen in to our conversation now!   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian. Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential. The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

Launching a group program is a great way to move from a 1-to-1 business model to 1-to-many. In fact, online courses have become a $300 billion industry. It’s huge, and I’m seeing more and more business owners creating courses and other group programs--and just killing it. If making this shift or leap is one of your goals, I encourage you to make it happen. But before you start signing people up for your mastermind, group coaching or course, you have to make sure your ducks are in a row. You have contracts for your 1-to-1 work; it’s just as important (if not more so) to have a contract for your group program. In this episode, I’m sharing the three things you must include in your program’s terms of service and what to consider for each one. Because the terms of service you have on your website just aren’t enough to protect you should something not go as planned with your course. Listen in now, and if you need terms of service for your course or online program, head to my shop to get yours.   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian. Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential. The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

If you’re like most business owners, you’re looking for ways to grow in the new year. I don’t blame you! It takes planning and thoughtfulness if you want to grow in the right ways. In this episode, I asked 10 business owners this question: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give someone looking to elevate their businesses in the new year? As a result, I got 10 different answers-- all of which I think are pure gold. Take a listen and pull out the ideas that work for you and your business. And then head over to Instagram and let me know which ideas you loved. Be sure to tag the entrepreneurs whose advice most resonated with you!   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian. Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential. The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

Systems are a hot topic this time of year, as people look at their goals and wonder how in the heck they’re ever going to meet them. In this episode, I welcomed Chelsea Foster to the podcast to tell you that it is, in fact, possible. But first, you need to pull yourself out of the day-in, day-out mundane to figure out how to streamline, automate and delegate in your business. Chelsea dives into how to audit what you’re doing now to help you finish off the year on a high note (so you’re feeling less stressed and more mission-driven next year). This episode really piggybacks on last week’s pep talk episode in sharing how to make sure you have the systems in place to meet those goals you have. Listen in to my conversation with Chelsea, then share your biggest takeaway with me on Instagram.   To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian. Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential. The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year...Back to school time! But it’s also a busy time because I think we have our heads in 2019 already. We start thinking about what’s coming up next year and how the heck we’re going to meet our year-end goals to finish off this year right. If you’re trying to negotiate your goals because you don’t want to do the work or you feel like your goals aren’t reachable, I want you to shift your mindset. There are three big (but simple) things I do to help reach my goals--little tweaks on some of the popular methods. In this episode, I’m breaking down how I set myself up for success during this busy season of the year. And I’m even sharing a rather unusual makeup that I have to my business’s board of directors. Some big names may or may not have a big role in my success, unbeknownst to them! Listento this episode, then hop over to Instagram and share with me what strategies work for you!   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian. Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential. The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

Keeping your finger on the pulse of what’s happening in your industry is so important if you want to serve your audience well. Personally, because I work with a lot of wedding and events industry professionals, I’m always trying to keep up with what’s going on so I can better understand and serve my clients. In this episode,  I’m diving into this year's Wedding Wire report which provides a snapshot of the current state of the wedding industry.  I’m highlighting some really interesting statistics and what they might mean to you and your business if you’re also an events industry professional. The more you know about trends and challenges in your industry, the better you will understand and serve your clients. If you’re a wedding planner or serve a role for couples getting married, take a listen and think about how the numbers I’m talking about can help you to run your business better. Then head to my Facebook page and let me me know your biggest takeaway from the episode so we can chat about it! To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation.

Who doesn’t want more profit in their business? (I see you over there raising your hand).   We’ve all heard the saying, “You have to spend money to make money.” No matter what industry you’re in, it’s pretty darn true. You need to be willing to invest in your business if you want your business to grow.   It’s not always easy, or comfortable. But luckily it doesn’t always have to be expensive. In fact, there are a lot of investments you can make for your business that don’t cost any money at all.   In this episode, I’m talking about three of the best investments you can make in your business if you want to grow, attract new audiences to you and be more profitable. Nothing super complicated, but still oh--so important! Listen up, and then let me know what investment you’re ready to make next!   To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

What isn’t working in your wedding planning business? Sometimes you’re too close and emotionally attached to it to know exactly where you should make changes. But something might just feel “off” to you. One thing that trips up most newer business owners, no matter the industry, is that they treat their business like a passion project or hobby. If you got into business because you have a passion for the process or your clients, you may be overlooking some of the common mistakes you’re making. Don’t learn the hard lessons the hard way. I don’t want you to have unhappy clients or legal issues on your plate. Insead, take a listen to this episode and course-correct now. As a side note: These mistakes aren’t exclusive to wedding planners; I’ve seen them made in all different industries. So just because you’re not a wedding planner or in the wedding industry, don’t discount this episode. You could very well be making these mistakes in your own business too!   To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.  

Where did the summer go? (Where did the year go!?) If you’ve been pushing, pushing, pushing to meet those year-end goals, you might be feeling burned out right now. Things start to get messy when you’re constantly in hustle mode and that’s not good for you, your business, your clients or your life. If you know me at all, you know how important tidiness is to me--both in my business and at home. I did an episode (ep.72) about spring cleaning your business, but the idea has stuck with me. I’ve been feeling a little spread too thin recently, as my business has grown, and I really started feeling like something needed to change. I think it’s important to be more intentional about what you’re doing in your business, day to day. Even if you’re not feeling burned out, it might be time to recharge. I recently did just that and it’s made a huge difference in my productivity and my business. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE How growing a business is a lot like growing a giant pumpkin (really!) How to ask yourself the right questions to get the weeds out of your business Little things you can do today to help you feel more alive in your business and in life Why taking a step back can help you realign your business to why you started it in the first place The difference between a result and a to-do in your business How to determine what you can let go of in your business To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk

If you’ve ever thought of turning your passion into your full-time job, then you’re going to love this episode with Maghon Taylor!   Maghon is the “she” behind All She Wrote Notes - the business she’s built around teaching her hand-lettering skills to other aspiring artists. As you’ll hear, Maghon launched her business on her iPhone one night after work! Since then she’s grown her business to include fun products, as well as in-person (and soon to-be online) hand-lettering classes. If you’ve ever wanted to take your skills and your personality and turn them into a business that you love, then you’ll want to catch this episode! To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk

Have you ever wanted to get paid to be creative? In this episode of the Office Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Bonnie Christine Forkner - an artist, a fabric designer and a teacher who has made a living creating her art and she’s sharing her story of how she got there with you! You’ll hear Bonnie’s evolution about how she went from working in her mom’s fabric shop to making an amazing living licensing her products, teaching her secrets, and building a beautiful community of other designers who are interested in surface pattern design. To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk  

In this episode, I’m shaking things up a bit and have not just one, but two guests! Leah Weinberg, the founder of Color Pop Events is an event and wedding planner based in New York City and Debbie Orwat is a former planner and venue owner, and currently runs Planner’s Lounge - an online resource for wedding and event planners. I asked them on to show to take a walk down memory lane with me about how they each got started and what obstacles they faced in doing so. As you’ll hear, both ladies have a wealth of knowledge to share. Even if wedding and event planning isn’t your niche, don’t dismiss this episode. You just might find a little nugget here that you can apply to your own business and industry! To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk  

In this episode I’m talking to one of my favorite people that I have come across since starting my business, Alisha Johns of Lish Creative. If you’ve ever checked out my website or the cover art for this podcast, most of those pictures have been taken by Alisha. Lish Creative is a content agency for vibrant beauty and lifestyle brands, and since founding the company, Alisha has worked with some amazing brands including Benefit Cosmetics, Delta, Dunkin’ Donuts, and many more If you’re a photographer and looking for advice on getting your business to the next level, or if you’re a business owner wanting to develop a vibrant and consistent brand identity, then you’ll enjoy this episode.   To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk  

In this real girl-to-girl conversation, I’m speaking with Jill Stanton, one-half of the Screw The 9 to 5 community - which helps new and existing entrepreneurs solve problems related to life and business through actionable insights and simple “how to’s.” Jill is sharing what it’s taken them to get their business to where it is today and how she sees the online marketing space shifting. She reveals what it’s been like being a new mother and how it has affected their life and business. I think you’re really going to appreciate how honest and forthcoming Jill is in this episode. So, grab yourself a coffee, sit back, and enjoy this episode. To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk

You may have been hearing the term “GDPR” a lot over the past few months and wondering what exactly is this talk all about? In this episode, my goal is to break down GDPR - to give you some basic background context to what this law is all about, why it’s important to understand, and what it means for your small business. To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian. Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential. The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

In this episode, I’m joined by Lindsay Lucas of Lean on Me Consultants for a bit of a niche topic, but it’s a trend I’m seeing in the events industry - starting and operating a venue business. Lindsay consults with folks to help build strong foundation for their venue businesses and teaches them how to run their businesses efficiently, profitably and most importantly, sustainably. She’s sharing some of that insight with us in this episode. Even if opening an event venue is not a part of your future business plans, still give this episode a listen - there are helpful tips and valuable nuggets to benefit you! To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk  

In this week’s episode, I’m talking about two of my favorite things: spring cleaning and your business. As we approach the spring season, that usually brings on an urge to do some spring cleaning around the house. But we can take that same approach and spring clean our business too! I’m sharing the three questions that you can ask yourself to free up space in your life and business in order to invite the magic to happen. To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian. Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential. The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

Do you have the next blockbuster idea? Are you itching to get your products in front of the likes of Mr. Wonderful and Mark Cuban on Shark Tank? Well, I can’t tell you how to get on the show, but I can tell you that if you have a product, invention, method, or something that you think is a pretty unique idea and you pitch it to the sharks - they almost always ask if the contestant has applied for a patent.  The topic of patents can be super confusing so in this episode I’m chatting all about it with patent attorney, Karima Gulick.  After listening you’ll have a much clearer idea about what patents are, who needs to be considering them, what the patent filing process looks like and much more.   To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk

In this week’s episode, we’re shaking things up a little bit! It’s a new flavor of episodes that I’m bringing you and it’s with my friend and fellow podcast host, Kinsey Roberts. If you don’t know Kinsey, she’s the wonderfully charming host of She Creates Business, A Podcast for Wedding Pros. Over the last few years, we’ve developed a friendship and the last time we chatted we realized that we needed to share our conversations with you. We suspect that so many of you can relate to some of the struggles and revelations that both she and I have experienced during our time as business owners.  About once a month you can expect to hear these talks, which we’re calling Chit Chat with Annette and Kinsey. It’s totally casual and super chill – just two girlfriends chatting about business, life and everything in between. To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk  

If you’ve been listening to the podcast over the last few weeks, you’ll have noticed that I’ve been answering the most common questions I get from professionals in a number of different industries. In this week’s episode, I’m sharing your FAQs from photographers. Regardless of what industry you’re in, don’t skip over these episodes. They all include legal nuggets that you might find helpful with your business.    To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk  Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian. Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential. The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

In this week’s episode, we’re diving into the most common questions I get from designers. So if you’re a graphic designer, a web designer, a print designer -- you’re going to want to have a listen. And if you’re not, listen up anyway! There might be a nugget in there for you!    To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian. Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential. The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.  

To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian. Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential. The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

I’m really excited about today’s Office Talk interview because we’re diving into a topic that I get so many questions about! I’m joined by fellow lawyer, Jenny Wiegley as we walk through what you need to do when you’re ready to hire your very first employee. Based here in California, Jenny has specialized in employment law for her entire career, and in this episode, she’s sharing her checklist of what you need to know when you’re ready to hire. As you’ll hear us mention many times in the interview, the laws around employment issues can be confusing and sometimes it can feel like you’re navigating a maze, but it really doesn’t have to be that way. To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian. Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential. The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR! To kick off the new year, in this brand new episode I’m sharing what’s coming your way in 2018 with this podcast, webinars, and events. I’m also sharing my thoughts on how to handle when a potential client comes to you requesting changes to your contract. I’m super pumped about this new year and I can’t wait to make this our best year yet - together! To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented  nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

On today's episode I'm speaking with Katie Doherty and Phil Van Nostrand of La Rousse Shoppe, a company that sells beautiful glass photo boxes. You're going to hear how the two of them took their background as long-time photographers to develop a business that, in about two years, is generating over $200,000 in sales annually. All this while taking up very little of their time. In fact, you'll be surprised to hear how many hours a week each of them are actively working on this business.... Whether or not you strive for similar results, our conversation will provide some valuable nuggets and insight on how to start designing a business and life on your terms.    To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk  

You may have heard that Google is making changes (in fact, they’re making changes all the time), but there are some big ones coming to their algorithm as it relates to searchability and search results. As we head into the new year, I want to make sure that you have all of the information and the best tips on how to stay ahead of these changes. Cause who doesn’t love some free website traffic? In this week’s episode I’m talking to digital strategist and SEO expert Myrna Daramy, all about the ABCs of SEO. To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk    

If you’ve ever thought to yourself: “I have so much to do and not enough time to do it,” then I think you’re really going to love this episode of the Office Talk podcast! Tonya Dalton, the owner of Inkwell Press and I are geeking out over how we can better structure our days, our to-do lists, and our lives so that we reduce the overwhelm and up the joy in our lives. And spoiler alert - it doesn’t involve a to-do list! To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk

If you’ve ever thought about attending a live event or conference, it can get quite overwhelming trying to decide amongst the many events taking place. And given the costs involved for things like tickets, flights and hotels - not to mention the time away from work and family - it can be quite a financial investment. So how can you ensure that you’re getting the best return on your hard-earned dollars when deciding which conference to attend? In this episode, Michelle Loretta, the organizer of the Be Sage conference, and I are sharing our best tips on how you can go about deciding which conference to spend your hard earned dollars on. We’re talking about how to do your research, what you should be doing before, during and after the event, and even some savvy tricks on how you can start budgeting to attend that conference you’ve been eyeing.  To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk

As a business owner, we often spend a lot of time thinking about how to brand our businesses. We think through the details of our website, We fuss over our logos, We take a million pictures before we get that perfect Instagram shot… Yet one piece of brand collateral that often doesn’t get thought of that way - are your contracts. (Yes, I said contracts.) You see, beyond just having the right terms and conditions, there’s another element at play with your contract. One that can help you reach and book bigger and better clients. And I’m sharing it in this episode of the Office Talk podcast. To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian. Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential. The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.  

  It's been said that we all have a story, but do you know how to tell yours?  How could effectively telling your own story help you better connect with your audience? Your clients? Your customers?  Someone who knows all about the value of storytelling when building a brand and business is Brady Hahn, founder of Insight Collective and my guest for this week’s episode of the Office Talk podcast. She helps entrepreneurs tap into their true leadership potential by focusing on bringing people together through storytelling. This episode is jammed packed with information that you can use today in building your brand, including the specific steps to take when starting to think about how to present your own story. To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk

When you get an inquiry from a potential client, you probably send over a proposal or quote that outlines the basic terms of your services, but when the customer accepts and wants to proceed, then what do you do? Are they supposed to sign the proposal? A separate contract? Or should the contract terms be part of the proposal? In this episode, I’m sharing three different solutions for this often-asked question: Should my client proposals be separate from my client contracts? To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian. Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential. The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.