Unspoken Terms

Today’s episode is a gem-filled interview with Bonnie Bakhtiari of B is for Bonnie Design. Casey and Bonnie chat about everything from brand strategy to the common mistakes that Bonnie sees her clients make at the beginning of their business journeys.   Bonnie shares some of the roadblocks she has encountered, like imposter syndrome and the belief that success is in the hustle. She also shares some of the legal mishaps she’s had along the way and how not to miss out on your life while you're trying to build your business.   Whether you’re building a brand or maintaining one, you don’t want to miss this one! Make sure you have your pen and paper ready!   Subscribe Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify   Meet our Guest Bonnie Bakhtiari is a brand designer, strategist, and educator for creative women entrepreneurs. She specializes in empowering her clients to create purposeful brands that powerfully impact their bottom lines without sacrificing intentionality. She's based in beautiful Waco, Texas with her husband and their two golden retrievers.   Connect with Bonnie Instagram Facebook Website Email   Show Notes   [0:36] – Casey opens the episode with some background information about Bonnie.      [3:08 – The interview begins.   [3:24] – Bonnie talks about what she does as a brand designer and business coach.   [4:40] – Casey asks Bonnie how she got into the branding space. Bonnie talks about her unconventional journey to where she is today.   [10:10] – Casey askes Bonnie to explain how strategy ties into visual branding.   [15:44] – Bonnie talks about the tips she gives her clients as they begin to implement the design assets she has created for them. She talks about why it’s important to stay on your own path and avoid the comparison game.   [20:24] – Casey asks what common mistakes Bonnie sees entrepreneurs make as they are getting started.   [25:12] – Casey asks Bonnie about the roadblocks she has run into on her journey as an entrepreneur.   [33:18] – Bonnie talks about the importance of having contracts in business. She shares that she had some assumptions that in the beginning that got her into some tight places, so she had to revamp her client contracts.    [37:54] – Casey asks Bonnie what made her aware that she needed contacts from the very beginning.   [42:08] – Casey asks if Bonnie has any tips for designers who are trying to grow their brand and increase their income sustainably.   [46:22] – Casey asks how listeners can connect with Bonnie.   Resources mentioned during this episode: Bonnie’s Free Training Bonnie’s Podcast   Meet our Host Casey is an entertainment and digital media law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their businesses and brands, specifically as it relates to contracts. She prides herself on helping creatives negotiate fair deals with Fortune 500 companies and leading entertainment brands, all while helping them build legally sound businesses that are built for generational wealth and impact. Here on the podcast, she normally does that by sharing the stories of successful entrepreneurs and influencers to help you learn from their mistakes. But occasionally, like today, switches things up and highlights popular culture.    Subscribe Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify  

If you have a podcast or are interested in starting one, today’s episode is for you! Casey chats with Ahyiana Angel about all things podcasting and entrepreneurship. There are so many gems for business owners and anyone looking to transition from where there are to something that is fulfilling and in line with their purpose and passion.   Ahyiana shares cautionary anecdotes and lessons learned over the years. You don’t want to miss this conversation!   Subscribe Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify   Meet our Guest Ahyiana Angel is the Founder of Mayzie Media, a podcast production company, and host of the personal growth podcast Switch, Pivot, or Quit®. She is also a traditionally published author and speaker, who for her proven track record of success and dedication to her craft, has been invited to speak at companies and conferences including Google, Spotify, Create & Cultivate, Tech Inclusion, and more. Ahyiana and her work have been featured by Apple, Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Girlboss among others. Quit Playing Small is her latest buzzed-about book that's a must-have for the ambitious person's morning routine.   Connect with Ahyiana Instagram Website   Show Notes   [0:36] – Casey opens the episode with a little background about Ahyiana.      [4:34] – The interview begins.   [5:00] – Ahyiana shares a little more about who she is and what she does.   [7:26] – Casey asks Ahyiana what drew her to the podcast space.   [11:26] – Casey asks Ahyiana how corporate podcasting is different from consumer podcasting, and they talk about the benefits of internal podcasts for corporations.   [16:20] – Ahyiana shares tips for new podcasters.   [19:28] – Casey asks about Ahyiana’s transition from corporate to entrepreneurship.   [27:50] – Ahyiana talks about her recent book, Quit Playing Small, and how it came to be.   [32:12] – Casey asks Ahyiana to share any legal or financial lessons she’s learned along the way.   [39:10] – Casey asks Ahyiana how her business has changed due to the global pandemic.   [42:18] – Ahyiana shares some last tips for entrepreneurship.   Resources mentioned during this episode: Get Ahyiana’s Book   Meet our Host Casey is an entertainment and digital media law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their businesses and brands, specifically as it relates to contracts. She prides herself on helping creatives negotiate fair deals with Fortune 500 companies and leading entertainment brands, all while helping them build legally sound businesses that are built for generational wealth and impact. Here on the podcast, she normally does that by sharing the stories of successful entrepreneurs and influencers to help you learn from their mistakes. But occasionally, like today, switches things up and highlights popular culture.    Subscribe Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify

Casey is an entertainment and digital media law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their businesses and brands, specifically as it relates to contracts. She prides herself on helping creatives negotiate fair deals with Fortune 500 companies and leading entertainment brands, all while helping them build legally sound businesses that are built for generational wealth and impact. Here on the podcast, she normally does that by sharing the stories of successful entrepreneurs and influencers to help you learn from their mistakes. But occasionally, like today, switches things up and highlights popular culture.    Subscribe Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify   Key Takeaways   Handshake deals and verbal agreements are a hard no. There are numerous public receipts that attest to this fact. There is just too much room for miscommunication and misunderstanding. Don’t do it!   Understand manager’s commission Commission percentage (10-20%) Commissionable income Post-term commission (sunset clause)   It’s important to stay in sync with your manager and the creative process.    Show Notes     [0:38] – Casey opens the episode by saying, welcome back!   [3:45] – Casey introduces the Chance the Rapper dispute.   [4:25] – A brief background of the dispute:   Chance the Rapper and his former manager are feuding in a high-profile dispute over the manager’s April 2020 firing in the wake of the Chicago hip-hop star’s disappointing album and concert ticket sales. In a lawsuit filed in Illinois on Nov. 30, 2020, Pat Corcoran, the former manager, is suing the rapper for a breach of contract, alleging he is owed millions in management commissions and unreimbursed expenses. In a statement, the legal team for Chance the Rapper, whose real name is Chancelor Bennett, said that “Mr. Corcoran has been paid all of the commissions to which he is legally entitled” and that “most of the complaint consists of self-serving and fabricated allegations.”  The dispute is a surprise for many in the music business because of how closely Mr. Bennett and Mr. Corcoran have worked over the past decade to build the 27-year-old rapper’s reputation as one of the most famous and successful independent artists.   Related Article: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chance-the-rapper-sued-by-former-manager-11607127219   [7:06] – Some specifics of this case:   One of the central claims of Corcoran’s lawsuit is this one: “In or around June 2013, Corcoran and Bennett entered into an oral agreement pursuant to which Bennett promised to pay Corcoran fifteen percent (15%) of the net profits on all revenues generated by CTR, Cool Pop Merch and CTR Touring in exchange for Corcoran’s management service.” Corcoran says that he is still owed for a number of unpaid commissions across Chance’s businesses that in total amount to more than $3 million.  Corcoran claims he should legally be paid a 15% net income post-term commission from Chance’s recorded music, merch, and touring for three years after the point the manager’s contract was terminated (on April 27, 2020). Pat Corcoran also claims that Chance the Rapper fired him and replaced him with his father Ken and brother Taylor Bennett due to “fan disappointment in Bennett’s most recent album [The Big Day] and underwhelming fan support for its associated tour.” Corcoran and Chance’s relationship apparently began to fissure when Chance, in February 2019, announced a July release date for his debut album. Corcoran expressed serious concern with the projected release date Bennett had unilaterally announced for the album. Corcoran knew that in view of the commitments Bennett had in early 2019—including his own wedding—it was likely there was not enough time for the creative process that was involved in releasing an album, and Corcoran advised Bennett in that regard. Corcoran opposed announcing the release of any album before the recording or writing process even began, let alone was substantially completed. Compounding the issue, Bennett’s recording efforts were compromised by unproductive and undisciplined studio sessions. Procrastination and lackadaisical effort, perpetuated by various hangers-on uninterested in the hard work of writing and recording, resulted in a freestyle-driven product of sub-par quality, a complete deviation from the meticulous writing process that brought Bennett fame for his wordplay and wit. Instead of acknowledging the numerous distractions and artistic compromises that inevitably resulted from the time wasted in the studio, all of which contributed to a lackluster album evidenced by historically low ticket sales, Bennett ultimately blamed Corcoran for the judgment rendered by his fan base rather than accept that his own lack of dedication had doomed the project. Corcoran says he recommended Chance “step away from the public and regroup” instead of performing on Ellen, Good Morning America, and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Corcoran claims that the TV appearances “only forced Bennett to publicly address his album’s shortcomings, rather than generate excitement about a newly-released album, which is what such appearances are calculated to do. These appearances served only to further exacerbate the failure of The Big Day.”  Related Article: https://pitchfork.com/news/chance-the-rapper-ex-manager-sues-for-millions-trashes-the-big-day/   [12:20] – Key Takeaways   Handshake deals and verbal agreements are a hard no.  Understand your manager’s commission It’s important to stay in sync with your manager and the creative process.    Resources: Check out my contract templates Join My Newsletter Email List Clubhouse: @contractcasey   Subscribe Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify

Today’s episode is an enlightening conversation between Casey and Genecia Alluora! They talk about everything from humble beginnings to building international teams and managing it all while living the life you want.    They talk about the many transitions that Genecia has had along her entrepreneurial journey and all of the lessons she’s learned. As usual, they chat about the legal mishaps that Genecia has run into, to top off a very inspirational and empowering episode. You don’t want to miss this case study in knowing what you want any going after it, full force!   Subscribe Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify   Meet our Guest Genecia Alluora is former Miss Singapore and Southeast Asia Woman of Excellence 2010. She is the Founder of Soul Rich Woman, the #1 female entrepreneur network in Southeast Asia that connects more than 200,000 women across the region, including Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia. With the Soul Rich Woman Blueprint, she has coached and mentored thousands of women to bring their business and leadership online. Her goal is for women to own and love the F-word: Being Fabulous, Having Freedom, Financial Independence, and Family. She is also the host for 2 podcasts “For Women Who Love The F Word” with listeners in 131 countries and a daily 10 minutes marketing podcast “Soul Why”.   Before establishing Soul Rich Woman, Genecia was an owner of a cafe retail chain with a presence in 3 countries with 18 franchisees and licensees that successfully exited to a public listed company after 4 years.    Connect with Genecia Instagram Facebook Website LinkedIn Pinterest   Show Notes   [3:56] – The interview starts with Genecia introducing herself.      [5:02] – Casey asks Genecia how she manages all of the hats she wears.   [8:10] – Genecia talks about how she got started in entrepreneurship.   [12:06] – Casey asks Genecia about her interesting start in entrepreneurship as the youngest line dancing instructor in Singapore.   [14:36] – Genecia talks about her transition from healthcare to Miss Singapore and being an entrepreneur.   [20:50] – Casey asks Genecia to share some common mistakes she sees entrepreneurs making when they first start.   [24:24] – Genecia talks about difficulties that entrepreneurs have with finding their niche and focusing on that niche.   [27:40] – Casey asks Genecia what systems she uses to keep her international team on track.   [32:06] – Genecia shares some of the legal issues she has run into in her journey as an entrepreneur.   [36:12] – Casey asks Genecia if she’s had to shift her business to survive during the global pandemic.   [38:38] – Genecia shares some last tips and resources for entrepreneurs.   Resources mentioned during this episode: Get Genecia’s Free Book Free Delegation Workbook For Women Who Love the F Word Podcast   Meet our Host Casey is an entertainment and digital media law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their businesses and brands, specifically as it relates to contracts. She prides herself on helping creatives negotiate fair deals with Fortune 500 companies and leading entertainment brands, all while helping them build legally sound businesses that are built for generational wealth and impact. Here on the podcast, she normally does that by sharing the stories of successful entrepreneurs and influencers to help you learn from their mistakes. But occasionally, like today, switches things up and highlights popular culture.    Subscribe Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify

Casey is an entertainment and digital media law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their businesses and brands, specifically as it relates to contracts. She prides herself on helping creatives negotiate fair deals with Fortune 500 companies and leading entertainment brands, all while helping them build legally sound businesses that are built for generational wealth and impact. Here on the podcast, she normally does that by sharing the stories of successful entrepreneurs and influencers to help you learn from their mistakes. But occasionally, she switches things up and highlights popular culture or educates listeners on how to get the legal side of entrepreneurship in place.   Subscribe Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify   Key Takeaways     Don’t wait until there’s an issue with your contract or agreement to find a good lawyer or legal resource. Choose a lawyer who you like personally and can trust professionally. Know the type of lawyer you need to work with and be clear about the services they provide before you get involved     Show Notes     [2:26] – Casey highlights the importance of having a lawyer or contracts in place from the very beginning of your business journey.   [4:34] – Next, Casey shares some things to keep in mind when choosing a lawyer. Choose someone you’re comfortable with. Choose someone who offers the services you desire. Choose someone who specializes in your area of need.   [7:45] – Casey clarifies that her firm, C. Handy Law, specializes in Entertainment and Intellectual Property contracts.   [9:16] – Entertainment Lawyers Entertainment lawyers represent clients in the entertainment industry.  Their clients could be individuals, like singers, or companies, like record agencies.  Their work involves a lot of business deals.  Most entertainment lawyers negotiate and draft many contracts and frequently deal with intellectual property issues like trademarks and copyrights.   Who might need this lawyer: Music artists, Actors, Influencers, Internet Personalities   [11:22] – Digital Media and Internet Lawyer: This type of lawyer deals with more than just internet law – they deal with all sorts of legal issues that arise out of the use of digital platforms like mobile phones, tablets, and computers as well as the internet.  Issues range from ensuring a website complies with the law, or dealing with privacy complaints, to advising entities about how they can and cannot use tracking tools in their apps and on their websites.    These lawyers would not be who to talk to about your contract and agreement disputes.   Who might need this lawyer: Bloggers, Youtubers, Anyone using the internet   [13:12] – Tax Lawyer: Taxes can be complicated, especially for creative entrepreneurs. Still, it’s the work of the tax lawyers, along with the accountant, to make it uncomplicated for their clients, especially if they have many assets. Tax lawyers may also help businesses or individuals with their disputes with the IRS. Ideally, this should be a lawyer who’s also familiar with litigations and court proceedings.    [15:02] – Intellectual Property Lawyer: IP lawyers specialize in helping to secure creative, scientific, or technical inventions and creations. This is who you’d want to talk to about copyrights, patents, trademarks, and licensing agreements.    Much of the work of IP lawyers is to provide legal advice to clients on the commercial viability and marketing mechanisms of their creation. They need to have expert knowledge in both business and innovation trends.   Not every IP lawyer can handle patents, so make sure you get a patent lawyer, if you need that.   Who might Need this lawyer: Anyone who is creating original content, products, or media   [18:10] – Casey closes out with the key takeaways from this episode. Don’t wait until there’s an issue to find a lawyer.   Choose a lawyer who you like personally and can trust professionally.   Know the type of lawyer you need to work with and be clear about the services they provide before you get involved   Resources: Register for the Signed. Sealed. Delivered. Webinar Join My Newsletter Email List Clubhouse: @contractcasey   Subscribe Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify

Casey is an entertainment and digital media law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their businesses and brands, specifically as it relates to contracts. She prides herself on helping creatives negotiate fair deals with Fortune 500 companies and leading entertainment brands, all while helping them build legally sound businesses that are built for generational wealth and impact. Here on the podcast, she normally does that through sharing the stories of successful entrepreneurs and influencers to help you learn from their mistakes. But occasionally, like today, switches things up and highlights popular culture.    Subscribe Website | Apple | Stitcher    Key Takeaways You need good contracts, and a lawyer never hurts! This case is a prime example of people being taken advantage of for lack of knowledge and representation. These men should have been reaping the benefits of their creative work for decades, but they did not have the proper legal protections in place.   Be careful with work for hire agreements. As a creative, you always want to be very clear about the copyright agreements that you sign. Your number one priority should be to know how your intellectual property can be used and the rights you give to users.   It’s rarely too late to assert your rights. If you believe that your rights have been violated, seek legal advice!   Show Notes   [0:54] – Casey shares a few recaps from the last couple of weeks and some new resources and content to come.   [7:16] – Casey talks a little about why understanding Copyright Laws is important.   [7:16] – A brief background of the dispute:   This is Spinal Tap co-creators Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner, Michael McKean, and Christopher Guest sued Vivendi in 2016. The headline-making allegation was that despite decades of cult success, the creatives had just $81 in merchandising income and $98 in musical sales income from their work on the 1984 rockumentary. They alleged "Hollywood accounting" sins, Vivendi bungling trademark rights, and more. The four demanded hundreds of millions in damages plus hoped to reclaim Spinal Tap by exercising termination rights under the Copyright Act.   Related article: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/spinal-tap-creators-settle-rights-dispute-with-studiocanal [11:58] – Understanding Copyright Termination Rights:   The Copyright Act permits authors or their heirs, under certain circumstances, to terminate the exclusive or nonexclusive grant of a transfer or license of an author’s copyright in a work or of any right under a copyright.   These provisions are intended to protect authors and their heirs against unremunerative agreements.   If a work is made for hire, an employer is considered the author even if an employee created the work. The employer can be a firm, an organization, or an individual. The concept of “work made for hire” can be complicated.   Related Article:  https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ09.pdf   [14:42] – Specifics of the case, now:   The creators of This Is Spinal Tap have settled the copyright dispute with Universal Music Group. According to the settlement, Universal Music Group will continue to distribute Spinal Tap’s music, although “eventually the rights will be given to the creators. The parties look forward to making these beloved recordings available to existing and new Spinal Tap fans for years to come.”    While the deal settles Spinal Tap’s dispute with UMG, the band’s complaints against StudioCanal and executive Ron Halpern have not been resolved. That complaint involves a breach of contract, fraud, and anti-competitive business practices related to the management of film rights.   [15:40] – Key Takeaways   Protect yourself from the beginning! Understand the contracts you use! Be careful with work for hire agreements. It’s rarely too late to assert your rights.   Resources: Join My Newsletter Email List Clubhouse: @contractcasey   Subscribe Website | Apple | Stitcher 

Today, Casey chats with serial entrepreneur and founder of the Atlanta Greek Picnic, Tiwa Works. They talk about everything from entrepreneurship and event planning, to real estate, investments, and government contracts, and the importance of networking in all of those spaces.   Listen in for how Tiwa has built several sustainable businesses since he was 16 years old and how he has been a successful serial entrepreneur. Tiwa shares how he has leveraged the opportunities that just came to him to propel himself to success. He also shares some of the biggest business lessons he’s learned over the years.   This is an episode that you don’t want to miss if you want to have legacy and impact in business, as an entrepreneur!   Subscribe Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify   Meet our Guest Known for his innovative entrepreneurial endeavors, his passionate leadership, and community engagement, Tiwa Works has created a lasting impression on industries worldwide – from Atlanta, Georgia to Lagos, Nigeria.   The British-born Nigerian, credits his hard-working parents and discipline for helping to develop his keen business acumen and successful portfolio. While pursuing his Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Information Science at Georgia Southwestern State University, Works was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and volunteered with numerous service organizations. Here is where he cultivated his interest in live events and providing unmatched experiences.   Immediately after graduating, Works combined his love for music, experience as a college DJ and his network-savvy mindset to take his gifts to the next level with the founding of Tiwaworks, an upscale event and marketing company. While Works’ projects encompass a variety of entertainment offerings, special guests, seamless activations, and Grammy-nominated artists, his most impressive implementation is the Atlanta Greek Picnic. Heading into its 17th year, Atlanta Greek Picnic empowers, enlightens, reaches and unites all those of The Divine Nine organizations to build relationships within the National Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC) and use these relationships to serve their communities.   Connect with Tiwa Instagram Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Website Email   Show Notes [3:46] – Casey gives some background information about Tiwa.   [7:30] – The interview begins.      [8:10] – Tiwa talks a little more about who he is and what he does.   [9:24] – Casey asks what sparked Tiwa’s entrepreneurial spirit as a young man.   [14:06] – Tiwa and Casey talk about some of his biggest business takeaways from doing the Atlanta Greek Picnic for over a decade.   [17:40] – Tiwa talks about the differences in how business is done here in the US and in other countries.   [21:42] – Casey asks how Tiwa has pivoted in business, to deal with the limitation of the pandemic.   [25:54] – Tiwa talks about how he manages having multiple businesses and giving value in all of them, on the back end.   [31:50] – Casey asks Tiwa if there is a key component that has helped Tiwa connect with so many people, celebrities, and brands.   [36:06] – Tiwa shares some of his biggest business missteps and the lessons he’s learned from them.   [45:10] – Casey asks what advice Tiwa has for folks who really need money and are considering taking the shady deal.   [50:00] – Tiwa shares the mindset routines he practices to maintain his faith and success.   Meet our Host Casey is an entertainment and digital media law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their businesses and brands, specifically as it relates to contracts. She prides herself on helping creatives negotiate fair deals with Fortune 500 companies and leading entertainment brands, all while helping them build legally sound businesses that are built for generational wealth and impact. Here on the podcast, she normally does that through sharing the stories of successful entrepreneurs and influencers to help you learn from their mistakes. But occasionally, like today, switches things up and highlights popular culture.    Subscribe Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify

Today, Casey recaps an Instagram live that she did with Jordan Gill in November of 2020. Jordan shared some great insights into the power of VIP Days in service based business and how they can help to scale a business.    Jordan and Casey get into the ins and outs of this business model, scaling your business, and the legal side of this type of service. So, if you have been thinking about implementing this type of offering, you don’t want to miss this episode!   Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify   Meet our Guest   Jordan Gill, operations consultant and founder of Systems Saved Me, helps overworked one-woman shows become streamlined solopreneurs. Her jam is creating a cohesive operating system for managing your tasks, files and inbox. She’s been on podcasts like What Works and CEO Vibes sharing her love of replacing monthly retainers with one day virtual intensives. She currently lives in Dallas TX with her cavapoo Vivienne and collection of 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzles.   Connect with Jordan Instagram Facebook Website Pinterest   Show Notes   [1:20] – A little background on this interview and the benefits of implementing VIP Days in your service based business.      [7:40] – The IG live replay starts.   [8:54] – Jordan introduces herself and talks a little about how she got started with VIP Days and what they are.   [13:32] – Casey asks Jordan how implementing VIP Days has changed her business and wiped out burnout.   [15:50] – Jordan asks how Virtual VIP Days are different from in person VIP Days.   [18:24] – Jordan shared the three types of VIP Days.   [23:20] – Casey asks Jordan why it’s important to have a contract for the VIP Day business model.   [28:30] – Jordan shares a VIP Day experience that shook her and highlighted the need for a contract.    [35:32] – Casey asks Jordan about the systems that need to be in place before you start offering VIP Days.   [37:50] – Jordan shared some VIP Day conversion killers.   [43:10] – Jordan closes out by sharing how she has marketed her VIP Days without sales pages.    Resources mentioned during this episode: VIP Day Intensive Agreement Template Virtual VIP Day Boot Camp VIP Day Roadmap VIP Day Agreement Checklist   Meet our Host   Casey is an entertainment and digital media law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their businesses and brands, specifically as it relates to contracts. She prides herself on helping creatives negotiate fair deals with Fortune 500 companies and leading entertainment brands, all while helping them build legally sound businesses that are built for generational wealth and impact. Here on the podcast, she normally does that through sharing the stories of successful entrepreneurs and influencers to help you learn from their mistakes. But occasionally, like today, switches things up and highlights popular culture.    Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify

Today’s episode highlights the 12 Days of Contracts series that Casey is doing on social media. She shares insights into the basic elements that every contract needs and defines some of the common terms in contracts.   Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify   Show Notes   [1:10] – Casey gives an overview her 12 Days of Contract Terms series.      [3:30] – Casey talks about what a contract is.   [5:00] – Casey gives some of the elements that need to be present to constitute a legally binding contract.   [9:43] – Casey explains breaches of contracts.   [12:00] – Casey highlights the importance of entering contracts as your business instead of your personal capacity.   [14:16] – Casey clarifies disclaimers.   [16:22] – Casey shifts to talking about how to define the scope of the services offered in a contract.   [18:46] – Casey wraps up by talking about negotiating contracts.   Meet our Host   Casey is an entertainment and digital media law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their businesses and brands, specifically as it relates to contracts. She prides herself on helping creatives negotiate fair deals with Fortune 500 companies and leading entertainment brands, all while helping them build legally sound businesses that are built for generational wealth and impact. Here on the podcast, she normally does that through sharing the stories of successful entrepreneurs and influencers to help you learn from their mistakes. But occasionally, like today, switches things up and highlights popular culture.    Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify

Casey is an entertainment and digital media law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their businesses and brands, specifically as it relates to contracts. She prides herself on helping creatives negotiate fair deals with Fortune 500 companies and leading entertainment brands, all while helping them build legally sound businesses that are built for generational wealth and impact. Here on the podcast, she normally does that through sharing the stories of successful entrepreneurs and influencers to help you learn from their mistakes. But occasionally, like today, switches things up and highlights popular culture.  Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher    Key Takeaways   Understand the contracts you use! In this case, an NDA needs to include every possible party in order to really work. Just because an NDA was signed by some parties in this matter, the loophole was that the vital party was not included in the contract.   Which brings me to the next point: Know your rights! Discovery exploited that oversight, in this case and it was legally within their rights. Morals and reasonable qualms aside, they did not break any agreements here.   Understand your constituted rights! In cases like these, it can be easy to fold when you don’t understand the basic rights that all individuals and entities are afforded under the constitution. We’re hearing a lot about the First Amendment, these days, because freedom of speech is a hot topic in politics and popular culture. If you are not familiar with the constitution, now would be a great time to brush up!   Show Notes     [4:25] – A brief background of the dispute:   Back in September while the country was abuzz about the presidential debates, Discovery Channel was in the midst of a legal battle about an Abraham Lincoln Documentary called, Undiscovered: The Lost Lincoln. Which centers around a never before seen photograph of Lincoln on his deathbed. This documentary has since aired, but it wasn’t without a fight! Discovery Channel had to overcome a temporary restraining order that was meant to block the airing of the documentary, due to an NDA.   [9:16] – How the First Amendment comes into play in this case:   On 10/2, a judge denied a TRO. "The Lost Lincoln is speech protected by the First Amendment and by the prior restraint doctrine," writes U.S. District Court Judge . "The Lost Lincoln also constitutes speech on a matter of public concern... Plaintiffs argue that the prior restraint doctrine does not protect a party who has bargained away First Amendment rights by contract. However, it is undisputed that Discovery, the only party against whom injunctive relief is presently sought, is not a party to a non-disclosure or confidentiality agreement with Plaintiffs.""   Related article:  https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/041315/how-ndas-work-and-why-theyre-important.asp   [10:40] – What is an NDA and how does it work?   A non-disclosure agreement, or NDA, is a legal document that keeps the lid on such sensitive information. These agreements may be referred to alternatively as confidentiality agreements (CA), confidentiality statements, or confidentiality clauses, within a larger legal document.   The exact nature of the confidential information will be spelled out in the non-disclosure agreement. Some NDAs will bind a person to secrecy for an indefinite period of time so that at no point in time can the signer divulge the confidential information contained in the agreement. Without such a signed agreement, any information disclosed in trust can be used for malicious purposes or be made public accidentally. The penalties for breaking an NDA are enumerated in the agreement and may include damages in the form of lost profits or possibly criminal charges.   Related Article: https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/041315/how-ndas-work-and-why-theyre-important.asp   [15:38] – Key Takeaways   Understand the contracts you use! Know your rights! Discovery exploited that oversight, in this case and it was legally within their rights. Understand your constituted rights! Contracts go beyond the page. The government can play a role in how your contracts are inforced.   Resources: Chat With a Legal Expert NDA Template Protect Your Assets: A Legal Guide for Online Entrepreneurs   Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher 

Casey is an entertainment and digital media law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their businesses and brands, specifically as it relates to contracts. She prides herself on helping creatives negotiate fair deals with Fortune 500 companies and leading entertainment brands, all while helping them build legally sound businesses that are built for generational wealth and impact. Here on the podcast, she normally does that through sharing the stories of successful entrepreneurs and influencers to help you learn from their mistakes. But occasionally, like today, switches things up and highlights popular culture.    Subscribe Website | Apple | Stitcher    Key Takeaways   Politics matter to everyone, including entrepreneurs. You may think that things like the supreme court justices have nothing to do with your business, but the Supreme court’s rulings set the precedent for the lower courts, so it matters who sits in that highest seat of justice. So, vote.   Copyrights matter! If huge, long standing, companies like Google and Oracle can have disputes over copyrights, then no one is safe, and everyone is on the same level when it comes to copyright protections and laws. So, be wise about your intellectual property. It can be the difference between losing a ton of cash and being able to protect your business even when dealing with big brands.   Educate yourself. You’re doing that now by listening to this podcast. The truth is that the legal landscape is always evolving as new cases are heard and new precedents are set by the rulings. That information is vital when navigating the legal side of business even when you are just starting out. The more you educate yourself on industry standards, practices, and laws, the better equipped you’ll be to do business and scale without fear of losing everything over common mistakes that can be avoided.   Show Notes     [1:50] – Why we talk about Copyright Law.   [10:00] – A brief background of RBG and the Supreme Court on Copyright Law:   The story of the "Notorious R.B.G.," the Supreme Court's second female justice, has been told repeatedly in media, books, and films including RBG and On the Basis of Sex. From being an architect of the women's rights movement in the 1970s to spending her later years on the high court fighting for the rights of the less advantaged (see for example her concurring opinion just months ago in Comcast v. NAAAOM), her lifetime of service will deservedly be lionized. But there was a less noticed aspect of Ginsburg — and her untimely loss will influence the course of industry.   Ginsburg gravitated to intellectual property disputes almost from the moment the Brooklyn, NY-born attorney was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton in 1993. More often than not, when a big ruling on the subject was on the table, it was she who carried the big pen.   Ginsburg was certainly hawkish when it came to copyright. And her view can be most sharply contrasted with those of Justice Stephen Breyer, demonstrating that there's more to judicial philosophy than a conservative-liberal divide.   Related article: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/a-supreme-court-without-rbg-may-impact-hollywoods-grip-on-intellectual-property   [6:42] – Background of the dispute:   When Google implemented its Android Operating System (Android OS), it wrote its own programming language based on Java, which is owned by Oracle. To facilitate developers writing their own programs for Android OS, Google’s version used the same names, organization, and functionality as Java's Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).   Oracle sued Google for copyright infringement, but the federal district judge held that APIs are not subject to copyright because permitting a private entity to own the copyright to a programming language would stifle innovation and collaboration, contrary to the goals of copyright.   Upon remand to the district court, a jury found that Google's use of the Java API was fair use. Oracle appealed, and the Federal Circuit again reversed the lower court. The Federal Circuit held that Google's use was not fair as a matter of law.   Related Article:  https://www.oyez.org/cases/2020/18-956   [14:22] – Applications   The absence of RBG may also impact which future copyright cases the Supreme Court decides to take up. Currently, for example, the Supreme Court is currently being asked to review a 9th Circuit win for Led Zeppelin over "Stairway to Heaven," alleged to be an infringement of Spirit's "Taurus." Skidmore v. Led Zeppelin looked to be a quintessential Ginsburg case. It's a dispute that not only tackles the scope of copyright but also social inequities in the system, making it within her zone on double grounds. Her departure likely dampens the prospects of high court review.   The same is probably true of Steinbeck v. Kaffaga, which concerns movie rights to the works of Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck and a subject (copyright termination) that has been the focus of increasing litigation over the years.   [15:38] – Key Takeaways   Politics matter to everyone, including entrepreneurs. Copyrights matter! Educate yourself.   Resources mentioned during this episode: Protect Your Assets: A Legal Guide for Online Entrepreneurs   Subscribe Website | Apple | Stitcher 

Today, Casey shares a few business updates and how her passion for helping entrepreneurs has shaped her recent changes. She shares the most important steps to take as you’re starting a business to protect your business, intellectual property, and your personal assets. She also explains how the resources and services that she offers can help you do those things. Lastly she talks about all of the sales that are coming up this month, for her services, templates, and bundles, and how they can aid you in setting your business up for success from the very start.   Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify   Show Notes   [0:36] – The episode begins.      [2:00] – Casey gives a few business updates regarding the website, contract template prices, and services.   [5:36] – Casey talks about why she offers the services she does and her passion for helping businesses.   [7:52] – Casey talks about the extensive Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday sale she is running.   [9:55] – Casey gets into why you need a solid legal foundation when starting your business.   [13:55] – Casey gives a few specific points that are important to protect your business and your personal assets, from the start.   [16:36] – Casey talks a little about the benefits of using her contract templates.   [20:06] – Casey shares some insights into the complexity of contract writing and the importance of knowing what you don’t know.   [27:20] – Casey highlights the implementation videos that come with her templates and the private Facebook group that is available after purchasing her templates.   [26:06] – Casey asks Jackie about the mindsets that need to be in place for entrepreneurs to be successful.   Links and Resources Mentioned New website Email: hello@contractcasey.com   Meet Our Host    Casey is an entertainment and digital media law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their businesses and brands, specifically as it relates to contracts. She prides herself on helping creatives negotiate fair deals with Fortune 500 companies and leading entertainment brands, all while helping them build legally sound businesses that are built for generational wealth and impact. Here on the podcast, she normally does that through sharing the stories of successful entrepreneurs and influencers to help you learn from their mistakes. But occasionally, like today, switches things up and highlights popular culture.    Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify

Today, Casey and Jackie *The Educator* talk about everything business, influence, and education and how she has found a need to fill at the intersection of the three. They talk about how the Black Christian Influencers organization has taken off in the short couple of years it has been around and how people can get involved. Jackie also shares the ups and downs of her journey as an entrepreneur, common mistakes that she sees influencers making, and how your mindset can make or break your business. This episode is one you do not want to miss!   Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify   Meet our Guest   Jackie Horbrook, also known as @jackietheeducator is a millennial trailblazer from Chicago, Illinois. With a Masters of Education and a Bachelor's degree in Business, she hopes to become known as a Kingdom solutionist. Through her internet show Higher Learning, counseling initiatives in the city of Chicago, and music ministry at her local church she aims to edify the body of Christ anyway she can. Her most recent endeavor has led her to create an organization called Black Christian Influencers that focuses on promoting, supporting, and encouraging kingdom builders from varying career backgrounds. As an ordained minister her primary focus will always be to enhance the kingdom of God using all the gifts God has given her.   Connect with Jackie Personal Instagram Business Instagram Website Email   Show Notes   [4:08] – The Interview Begins.      [4:28] – Jackie talks a little about herself and her businesses.   [5:46] – Jackie sheds light on what it means to be a Kingdom Solutionist and how she tries to operate in that space.   [7:22] – Casey asks Jackie to talk about common misconceptions that people have about her being a business woman and Christian.   [9:48] – The ladies get into what BCI is and how it is supporting Christian influencers through exposure and coaching.   [14:08] – Jackie talks about how the communities that are being built in BCI are what makes it unique.   [15:28] – Casey asked Jackie how her passion for education started and how that has shaped everything that she’s doing.   [17:36] – Casey and Jackie talk about how this current endeavor has been different than any previous business or organization that she’s worked with.   [18:44] – Jackie talks about the challenges that came with entrepreneurship and the sacrifices that she made along the way.   [26:06] – Casey asks Jackie about the mindsets that need to be in place for entrepreneurs to be successful.   [30:52] – Jackie talks about some of the things she thought she knew when she got started.   [34:16] – Jackie talks about some of the common missteps that influencers make when they are getting started.   [35:34] – Casey asks how BCI helps their influencers reach their goals and the steps they take to set them up for success.   [38:00] – Jackie shares the things she currently has going on and coming up.   Meet Our Host    Casey is an entertainment and digital media law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their businesses and brands, specifically as it relates to contracts. She prides herself on helping creatives negotiate fair deals with Fortune 500 companies and leading entertainment brands, all while helping them build legally sound businesses that are built for generational wealth and impact. Here on the podcast, she normally does that through sharing the stories of successful entrepreneurs and influencers to help you learn from their mistakes. But occasionally, like today, switches things up and highlights popular culture.    Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify

Today, Casey and Rosezena Pierce, The Queen of the Trademark Jungle, chat about trademarking and entrepreneurship, intellectual property, and the importance of operating at a high level from the very beginning of your business journey. The ladies go deep into how to do business in a way that will set you up for success, from figuring out what works best for your life and business, to building a team to help you operate at your highest level. If you are currently an entrepreneur or have ever thought about starting a business, this is not an episode that you want to miss!   Subscribe Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify   Meet our Guest Rosezena I Pierce is a Chicago native, Entrepreneur, Wife and mother who is very passionate about educating her clients and entrepreneurs by providing trademark legal services to protect their brand and the value of their artistry and business. Rosezena loves working with people in the beauty industry and small business owners. Some of her clients consist of hip hop recording artists, stylists, salon owners, restaurant owners, fashion designers, artist managers, entrepreneurs, bloggers, community activists, music producers, photographers, videographers, coaches and many more.   Rosezena has been practicing and serving as an entrepreneur for almost 7 years now. In 2019, she was named as one of the Top 100 Trademark Attorneys in the US. She has filed over 800 Trademarks to date. Rosezena is licensed to practice law by the State of Illinois. Rosezena is a proud member of the Chicago Bar Association of Chicago (IPLAC), and Black Entertainment and Sports Law Association (BESLA). She also is dedicated to community service and serves on the Board of Directors for Lawndale Christian Legal Center. Connect with Rosezena Instagram Website Email   Show Notes [4:46] – The Interview Begins.      [5:28] – Rosezena tells us a little bit about herself and how she landed on trademark law.   [10:52] – Rosezena elaborates on her deep passion for IP law for small businesses and how she ended up as an entrepreneur herself.   [22:02] – Casey asks Rosezena to talk about common issues that come up when business owners are reactive instead of proactive with getting a trademark.   [29:46] – Here Rosezena talks about the benefits of having a trademark for your business.   [36:26] – Casey asks Rosezena to break down the trademarking process.   [43:20] – Rosezena goes over the costs that are associated with filing a trademark application.   [54:12] – Rosezena gives tips for entrepreneurs and talks about the importance of having a team.   Meet Our Host  Casey is an entertainment and digital media law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their businesses and brands, specifically as it relates to contracts. She prides herself on helping creatives negotiate fair deals with Fortune 500 companies and leading entertainment brands, all while helping them build legally sound businesses that are built for generational wealth and impact. Here on the podcast, she normally does that through sharing the stories of successful entrepreneurs and influencers to help you learn from their mistakes. But occasionally, like today, switches things up and highlights popular culture.    Subscribe Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify

Casey is an entertainment and digital media law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their businesses and brands, specifically as it relates to contracts. She prides herself on helping creatives negotiate fair deals with Fortune 500 companies and leading entertainment brands, all while helping them build legally sound businesses that are built for generational wealth and impact. Here on the podcast, she normally does that through sharing the stories of successful entrepreneurs and influencers to help you learn from their mistakes. But occasionally, like today, switches things up and highlights popular culture.    Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify   Today, Casey chats with Mari Cofield about how small businesses can benefit from entering the government contract space, how they can be successful, and how they can avoid common pitfalls. Mari talks about how she got into the government sector and why she is so passionate about helping minority owned small businesses be successful in this sector. Listen in to have some of your misconceptions about the government sector squashed and to learn how you can take the next steps to explore this awesome space!   Meet our Guest   Mari Cofield is the founder of DM Consulting LLC. Her Consulting company specializes in educating and helping small businesses understand the Government Contracting process, and showing small minority owned businesses how to become certified small businesses that can compete for Government and private sector contracts. She’s a former Sr. Level Contract Specialist who has worked in the Government Contracting sector for more than 10 years.   Connect with Mari Instagram Website Email   Show Notes   [4:36] – The Interview Begins.      [5:20] – Mari talks about who she is and her specialty in helping small businesses get government contracts and get certifications for the government sector.   [7:02] – Mari highlights some benefits of getting into the government sector, as a small business and what types of contracts are available in the creative entrepreneur space. She    [10:44] – Casey asks Mari how she got into the government contract space. Mari shares how she became a contract specialist and why she’s stayed in the industry for over a decade.    [13:30] – Mari shares a little about what makes a contract proposal, or bid, competitive and how she helps clients be competitive.   [17:58] – Mari gets into some of the common mistakes that businesses make on the legal side of the government contract space. Casey and Mari discuss the    [20:48] – Casey asks Mari what government contracts and bids typically look like. They discuss the types of terms that are common in this type of contract. Mari outlines why having a consultant can be a game changer when entering this space.   [25:42] – Mari shares tips that she has for small business owners if they are interested in getting into government contracts. She shares free resources that are available and talks about when to move into specific strategies and enlisting consultants to get to the next level.   [28:22] – Mari talks about when it's appropriate to move into the government contract space. The ladies talk about the benefit of being open to new possibilities in business.   [31:34] – Casey asks Mari to share any other tips she has for business owners in different states getting into being certified in business for their local government and the federal government.   [34:18] – Mari talks about her e-book guide to entering the government contracting space and how you can get it.   [36:02] – Mari shares her passion for helping more minority owned small businesses go after these awesome opportunities. She also shared some thoughts on entrepreneurship, in general.   [39:06] – Mari shares some things small businesses need before entering the government contract space.    Resources mentioned during this episode: A Beginners Guide For Entrepreneurs: Government Contracting 101. How To Compete For Contracts.   Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify

About Our Host   Casey Handy-Smith is a contract law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their online businesses and brands. Over the past 6 years, Casey has helped creatives negotiate fair deals while protecting and leveraging their creative assets with ironclad contracts. Beyond her work with 1-on-1 with clients, Casey also provides DIY contract templates for entrepreneurs needing instant clarity and confidence to legally protect their businesses.   Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify   3 Key Takeaways   1. Never negotiate a contract in a vacuum! In this case, Joe Budden is doing what we should all do.   2. Know your rights! Budden has issues with not being paid money he thought he would get, in consideration of the way his podcast ended up performing.   3. Know your worth and don’t be afraid to walk away. While some think that Budden is using the threats as a negotiation tactic, I suggest not being afraid to walk away if those tactics don’t work.   Related Articles   http://www.insideradio.com/podcastnewsdaily/joe-budden-says-money-is-why-he-s-ending-his-spotify-deal/article_acaf047e-e883-11ea-92a4-9315f4ee38a2.html   Show Notes   [5:50] – Background of the Situation   Joe Budden is ending his exclusive deal with Spotify in a very public way as the podcaster, which has ponied up hundreds of millions of dollars to expand in the business, is now being accused of putting a lowball offer on the table. The one-time rapper turned podcast host used his latest episode to announce that his arrangement with the company ends next month, after which he will become a free agent. “I cannot tell you where this podcast will be. But as it stands, I can tell you where it will not be, and that is Spotify,” said Budden.   [7:22] – Specifics about this case   Budden seemed most upset about Spotify’s recent deal to buy The Ringer from Bill Simmons for $200 million.    Budden told listeners he could not discuss specific details, citing non-disclosure agreements. But he did say he expected to receive a $500,000 bonus after his podcast’s first year on Spotify, but one was never paid.   Budden was not pump-faking. His threats were not empty. He walked away, when his worth was not recognized.   [10:56] – Key Takeaways:   If you remember nothing else, remember this: never negotiate a contract in a vacuum! In this case, Joe Budden is doing what we should all do.   Know your rights! Budden has issues with not being paid money he thought he would get, in consideration of the way his podcast ended up performing. So, he confronted Spotify about it.   Know your worth and don’t be afraid to walk away. While some think that Budden is using the threats as a negotiation tactic, I suggest not being afraid to walk away if those tactics don’t work. Which is what Budden did!   Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify

About Our Host   Casey Handy-Smith is a contract law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their online businesses and brands. Over the past 6 years, Casey has helped creatives negotiate fair deals while protecting and leveraging their creative assets with ironclad contracts. Beyond her work with 1-on-1 with clients, Casey also provides DIY contract templates for entrepreneurs needing instant clarity and confidence to legally protect their businesses.   Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify   4 Key Takeaways   1. Publicity Rights can be tricky, which is why it is important to consider all possibilities when drafting and negotiating the contract at the beginning of the working relationship. Thinking about all eventualities and putting provisions and terms into the contract at the start can help you avoid situations like this in the long run.   2. Know your rights! I say this all the time, but you have to know the rights you hold when in various situations. In this case, it’s good to know that the law can be loose surrounding publicity rights, so that is why writing the terms into the contract is key.   3. Know your role! Are you an employee subject to a work for hire or a contractor that needs to negotiate a usage clause?    4. Remember that to make this claim, many states require that you have already commercially exploited your identity to make this claim. So, again, make sure you have a good contract and you keep the receipts!   Related Articles   https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/howard-stern-shows-stuttering-john-sues-siriusxm   Show Notes   [2:55] – Background of the Situation   John Melendez, longtime Howard Stern Show personality “Stuttering John" is suing SiriusXM Radio for using his archived hot-button interviews with the likes of the Dalai Lama, Ringo Starr, and Mike Tyson without compensation and in violation of his publicity rights.   [6:00] – Understanding Publicity Rights   The right of publicity is generally defined as an individual's right to control and profit from the commercial use of his/her name, likeness, and persona. The purpose of this law is to protect the individual from the loss of commercial value resulting from the unauthorized appropriation of their identity for commercial purposes.    It’s important to know that there is no uniform federal law for the right of publicity despite increasing demands for such a law.    [9:34] – Specifics of this case   According to the complaint, Sirius acquired a license to not only current episodes of the show but also to air full or partial episodes from the archives. Melendez argues that it’s disregarding his right of publicity by using his identity, likeness, name, image, and voice for its commercial advantage.    Disputes like this are relatively common in the sports world, and typically haven’t ended in favor of the talent. The NFL in 2014 beat a suit from ex-players over the use of their likenesses in video footage, in part because the court found "brand enhancement alone is not sufficient to render a production advertising as a matter of law" and ruled the projects were protected by the First Amendment.    These disputes may serve as a roadmap and it’s likely Melendez’s case could turn on whether or not a New York federal judge considers any of Sirius’ use to be advertising.   [16:00] – Key Takeaways:   Publicity Rights can be tricky, which is why it is important to consider all possibilities when drafting and negotiating the contract at the beginning of the working relationship.   Know your rights!   Know your role! Are you an employee subject to a work for hire or a contractor that needs to negotiate a usage clause.    Remember that to make this claim, many states require that you have already commercially exploited your identity to make this claim.   Resources   Independent Contractor Agreement   Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify

About Our Host   Casey Handy-Smith is a contract law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their online businesses and brands. Over the past 6 years, Casey has helped creatives negotiate fair deals while protecting and leveraging their creative assets with ironclad contracts. Beyond her work with 1-on-1 with clients, Casey also provides DIY contract templates for entrepreneurs needing instant clarity and confidence to legally protect their businesses.   Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify   3 Key Takeaways   1. Leverage is real and knowing how to position yourself to negotiate is important! Make sure that you come to the table knowing what you have to offer and already thinking about the terms that will protect you in the future.   2. Know your rights (specifically your intellectual property rights)! Is this my mantra? I think this is now my mantra.    3. We are not all the same. This is more apparent now than ever, in America. The deal Kanye wants artists to have actually already exists (à la Taylor Swift). Kanye’s new mission isn’t all about Kanye, you know. On Sunday (September 20th), West tweeted: “This is a call for all artist[s] to unify … I will get my masters, I got the most powerful lawyer in music and I can afford them but every artist must be freed and treated fairly.” In addition, West tweeted new “guidelines” for recording and publishing contract templates he wants to see adopted industrywide.    Related Articles   https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kanye-west-tweets-images-of-his-recording-contracts-i-need-every-lawyer-in-the-world-to-look-at-these   https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.billboard.com/amp/articles/news/9450988/kanye-west-twitter-blocked-policy-violation   https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.rollingstone.com/pro/features/kanye-west-universal-masters-war-1064225/amp/   Show Notes   [6:00] – Background of the Situation:   In his latest string of tweets about his recording deals Wednesday, Kanye West said he was going to upload his Universal Records contracts, while once again referring to the music industry as "modern-day slavery."   "Here are my ten Universal contracts … I need every lawyer in the world to look at these," he shared before telling followers that the PDFs would not load on Twitter. Twenty minutes later, he shared screengrabs of 10 documents that included what appeared to be several amendments, a profit sharing agreement, and a recording agreement. He tweeted of the images: "This is what me Kanye West deal looks like today … I PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS THAT IT DONT LOOK LIKE THIS TOMORROW."   West had spent much of Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning posting a series of more than two dozen tweets, some featuring favorite Bible verses, others pointed missives at the music industry demanding that what he claimed were overly complicated contracts be "simplified now."   [Sidenote - 8:08] – Keep your ears to the ground:   Understanding the types of deals and contracts that your peers are getting helps in your negotiations. So, networking and talking to others in your industry will help you get the best deals possible.   [10:58] – Master Recordings:   When an artist refers to their “master recordings,” they are referring to the original recordings of their music (as opposed to the composition itself). The owner of these master rights, along with the copyright owner, controls where the recording itself is licensed and earns money from it.   Labels often secure an artist’s master rights in exchange for promotion and support during the recording process. These deals allow the label to release an artist’s music and earn money through its distribution and licensing. They customarily arrange deals in which an artist receives royalties once they recoup the advance given by the label to record their music.   Writers generally maintain the copyright to their music, which affords them certain rights with how it is used. They often work in tandem with the label when the music is licensed elsewhere.   [16:56] – Interesting points in this situation:   West sued Roc-A-Fella last year, as well as Universal and his publishing company, EMI. In the EMI suit, which has since been settled, he appeared as a plaintiff alongside a newly formed company, “Please Gimme My Publishing Inc.” Kanye is now waging the same battle against Universal for his recorded copyrights, a.k.a. his masters.   Kanye’s Twitter ultimatum may not elicit widespread sympathy from the artist community: For one thing, the contracts posted by West revealed Universal paid him an $8 million advance for his sixth studio album, Yeezus (2013), not including an additional $4 million with which to clear samples and make the record. Universal also paid him a $3 million advance, plus a $3 million recording/clearance budget, for The Life of Pablo (2016). Your common or garden-variety megastar just doesn’t get handed this kind of money from their record label. But there are also reasons for Kanye to be optimistic about at least some of his stated objectives regarding the reclamation of his masters. Here are three of them, connected to a trio of fellow superstars.   [20:48] – Key Takeaways:   Leverage is real and knowing how to position yourself to negotiate is important!    Know your rights (specifically your intellectual property rights)! This is now my motto.   The deal Kanye wants artists to have actually already exists (à la Taylor Swift). Kanye’s new mission isn’t all about Kanye. West tweeted new “guidelines” for recording and publishing contract templates he wants to see adopted industrywide.    Resources Mentioned During The Episode   Megan Thee Stallion Contract Case Study   Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify

Casey is an entertainment and digital media law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their businesses and brands, specifically as it relates to contracts. She prides herself on helping creatives negotiate fair deals with Fortune 500 companies and leading entertainment brands, all while helping them build legally sound businesses that are built for generational wealth and impact. Here on the podcast, she normally does that through sharing the stories of successful entrepreneurs and influencers to help you learn from their mistakes. But occasionally, like today, switches things up and highlights popular culture.    Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify   Meet our Guest   Kandice Guice is a wife and mother. But by day she’s an attorney and influencing thousands of women. Her encouragement within the female community has grown her career to speak with over 20,000 fans on socials, develop content as an official TikTok Business affiliate, and partnerships with Change.org, The Lip Bar, and Peloton; to name a few. A letter to the CEO of her Fortune 100 Company began trending and advised leadership on increasing diversity within the workforce - and steps to move forward. Steps that opened doors for herself and her audience. I would love to bring her wisdom and tips to your platform.    Connect with Kandice Instagram Facebook Website   Show Notes   [5:36] – The Interview Begins.      [6:10] – Kandice shares some of her professional background and the many hats she wears. She describes herself as an attorney by day and a writer and social activist by passion.   [10:36] – In this section, Casey and Kandice discuss how to build a successful business foundation and prepare for your business to boom, from the very beginning.   [14:14] – Kandice talks about her viral email and the importance of diversity in business. She shares experience emailing the CEO of her fortune 100 company.   [21:00] – Casey asks Kandice to share how she helps women know their value and negotiate better contracts.   [29:20] – Kandice shares what she has learned about the need that many women have to please other people and how this affects their ability to identify their goals and achieve them.   [36:18] – Kandice talks about the legal lessons she has learned while being an entrepreneur and the mistakes that others can avoid making.   [43:36] – Kandice gives insight into her course Inking the Deal.    Resources mentioned during this episode: Diversity Email Template Inking the Deal Course   Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify

Casey is an entertainment and digital media law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their businesses and brands, specifically as it relates to contracts. She prides herself on helping creatives negotiate fair deals with Fortune 500 companies and leading entertainment brands, all while helping them build legally sound businesses that are built for generational wealth and impact. Here on the podcast, she normally does that through sharing the stories of successful entrepreneurs and influencers to help you learn from their mistakes. But occasionally, like today, switches things up and highlights popular culture.  Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher    4 Key Takeaways   1. When it comes to copyright infringement, it is a balancing act. The purpose of IP law is to cultivate creativity - “Artists usually experiment with works before seeking licenses from rights holders and rights holders typically ask to see a proposed work before approving a license,” the judge wrote. “A ruling uprooting these common practices would limit creativity and stifle innovation within the music industry.” A finding in Chapman’s favor, they argued, “would impose a financial and administrative burden so early in the creative process that all but the most well-funded creators would be forced to abandon their visions at the outset.” The judge agreed, finding that on balance Minaj was protected by the “fair use” doctrine.   2. Know your industry! In this case, seeking permission after the work was created was deemed ok because of industry standards. This may not fly in your line of work. Explicitly expressed intentions and terms are necessary when dealing with anyone (even friends and family) in business.   3. It pays to ask permission before getting into the creative process (that way time is not “wasted” when the end product can not be released)   4. Maintaining confidentiality in the creative process - A dispute remains, however, as to whether Minaj infringed on Chapman’s song by sending “Sorry” to DJ Flex. Chapman’s lawyers asked the judge to find that the distribution constituted copyright infringement as a matter of law, but the judge ruled that the dispute would have to go to a jury.   Show Notes   [6:16] – Update from the Volvo IG Dispute   Volvo’s motion to dismiss was denied.    Jack Schroeder and Britni Sumida in June sued Volvo after it used images from their shoot in the southern California desert in an Instagram story in violation of their rights (copyright and publicity, respectively). Volvo, in its motion to dismiss the complaint, argued that Schroeder granted an implied license by posting the photos on Instagram. The court didn’t analyze a lot of the arguments but it did note that it felt both parties had successfully stated a claim for copyright infringement. It hasn't yet analyzed its argument that Instagram's terms of service provided a license in this situation.   Related Article: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/volvo-cant-evade-photographers-suit-over-instagram-post      [10:00] – A brief background of the dispute:   Tracy Chapman, a hugely successful singer-songwriter, is suing Minaj (real name: Onika Maraj) for allegedly infringing her own work, "Baby Can I Hold You." Both sides have filed summary judgment papers. And in Chapman's view, this is an easy case. Minaj's actions were "indisputably willful," states the plaintiff's motion seeking a win.   The legal dispute between Chapman and Minaj is a bit different from most copyright cases where litigants quarrel over whether works are substantially similar. Here, there appears to be no controversy that "Sorry" emanates from "Baby Can I Hold You," nor much discussion about whether Chapman's work is actually original enough to merit protection. But that doesn't end matters. When "Sorry" was selected for inclusion on Minaj’s Queen album, Minaj and her reps sought a license to Chapman's composition. One of the clearance specialists put on the task is said to have known that Chapman was on the “do not sample list”— an unwritten list of artists that were well-known for not allowing samples of their works. Minaj's team made efforts anyway, but Chapman rejected a request.   Related article: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/nicki-minaj-warns-experimentation-at-stake-in-tracy-chapman-copyright-suit   https://www.marketplace.org/2020/09/14/nicki-minaj-tracy-chapman-lawsuit-copyright-sorry-baby-can-i-hold-you/   [14:46] – Current status of the Nicki Minaji lawsuit:   The judge ruled in Nicki’s favor on the primary issue of when artists must seek permission from copyright owners in the creative process. The case is still going because of other issues.    Related Article: https://variety.com/2020/music/news/nicki-minaj-copyright-lawsuit-tracy-chapman-1234772693/   [16:18] – Key Takeaways   Copyright infringement is a balancing act. The law must be balanced with the purpose of the creative process. You need to be intimately familiar with the industry standards that apply to your line of work! In more industries it pays to just ask permission first. Make sure that you maintain confidentiality in your creative process.   Resources mentioned during this episode: NDA Template   Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher 

Casey is an entertainment and digital media law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their businesses and brands, specifically as it relates to contracts. She prides herself on helping creatives negotiate fair deals with Fortune 500 companies and leading entertainment brands, all while helping them build legally sound businesses that are built for generational wealth and impact. Here on the podcast, she normally does that through sharing the stories of successful entrepreneurs and influencers to help you learn from their mistakes. But occasionally, like today, switches things up and highlights popular culture.  Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher    4 Key Takeaways   1. The Terms & Conditions and Website Policies MATTER! Note that Instagram is not a part of this dispute at all, because they have publically accessible use contracts that every user agrees to when they set up an account. This dispute is about how those terms will be interpreted. So, if you’re a business owner, make sure you protect your business with the proper Terms & Conditions, and Policy.   2. As a user of these types of social media websites, it is important to know how your content can be used, and post with that in mind.   3. If you are in a brand contract as an influencer, you have to be very careful to understand what will breach the contract and not do anything that could possibly be construed as a breach.    4. Schroeder and Sumida’s attorney Jeffrey Gluck warns that, if Volvo’s argument succeeds, it won’t just affect photographers and other creators who share their work on the site — even family pictures posted by ordinary people.   Show Notes   [3:38] – Background of the Volvo IG Dispute   On a sunny day in April 2019, photographer Jack Schroeder and model Britni Sumida took a shiny white Volvo S60 out into the Southern California desert for a test shoot amid a superbloom of bright orange poppies. He took about a thousand images and posted a handful to Instagram, tagging Volvo and capturing the automaker’s attention. The company posted a comment asking to share the photos and encouraging him to respond with the hashtag #YesVolvoUSA to accept. Schroeder instead emailed Volvo, offering to negotiate a license, and sent a link to his online portfolio. He didn’t receive a reply. Six months later, Volvo posted an Instagram story featuring a collection of Schroeder’s photos that linked to a site where users could buy the vehicle.   Now the auto giant and the photographer are embroiled in a legal dispute, with Schroeder claiming that his copyrights have been infringed. Sumida, who has a deal with another major car company that prevents her from working with its competitors, is suing Volvo for unfair competition, false endorsement and misappropriating her likeness.   [7:28] – Understanding Instagram’s ToS & Copyright Law   In order to use the Facebook-owned photo app, users agree to grant Instagram “a non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable, sub-licensable, worldwide license to host, use, distribute, modify, run, copy, publicly perform or display, translate, and create derivative works.” It’s “sub-licensable” that’s key here, with Volvo arguing that it simply sublicensed the images from Instagram.   Flip Side: Instagram’s Policy requires users to obtain a person’s consent before using their content in any ad and a second that says a user represents and warrants that they own or have secured all rights.   Courts have ruled that some investigation was necessary before deciding whether Instagram allows third parties — explicitly or implicitly — to use the photos posted on the site, in similar disputes.   [13:34] – IG’s response?   Instagram didn’t reply to a request for comment, but, in response to the suits involving embedding, a Facebook spokesperson in June told Ars Technica, "Our platform policies require third parties to have the necessary rights from applicable rights holders. This includes ensuring they have a license to share this content, if a license is required by law."   [16:05] – Key Takeaways   ToS/Use and website policies are IMPORTANT! You NEED to know how your content can be used, according to the terms of the platforms you’re using. Make sure you add any notices that are necessary to protect your rights. As an influencer you should ALWAYS be careful to understand your contracts and what will breach them. Exclusivity and Licence provisions are a HUGE part of every brand deal. (Check out my Influencer Agreement Checklist for help with that) The ruling on this case will affect everyone. Knowing when your content can be used by others should be a part of deciding what services and websites you use.   Resources Mentioned During This Episode   Influencer Agreement Checklist Terms of Use and Policy Templates   Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher   

Casey is an entertainment and digital media law attorney who helps influencers and creative entrepreneurs who struggle with navigating the legal side of their businesses and brands, specifically as it relates to contracts. She prides herself on helping creatives negotiate fair deals with Fortune 500 companies and leading entertainment brands, all while helping them build legally sound businesses that are built for generational wealth and impact. Here on the podcast, she normally does that through sharing the stories of successful entrepreneurs and influencers to help you learn from their mistakes. But occasionally, like today, switches things up and highlights popular culture.  Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher    4 Key Takeaways   Always get in writing all of the co-owners of a copyright at the time of creation, so there aren’t any questions of ownership down the road. And if you use any portions of a previous work later, get permission. In the music industry, this is typically called “split sheets” and clearance. Without that clearance, you can’t get rights in the derivative work.    There are specific rights that are protected when a copyright is secured for your work. *If you think someone may be infringing, say something right away.   Understanding these rights will help you to protect yourself and stay confident about how you and others can use your work.   Make sure to protect yourself with a copyright in the very beginning so that you don’t run into legal issues, or have to scramble to protect your property in the future   Show Notes   [4:40] – Background of the lawsuit against Lizzo for Truth hurts   Brothers Justin and Jeremiah Raisen claimed they created Truth Hurts as a derivative work based on a song called Healthy that they created with Lizzo in 2017, two years before she broke out.   Lizzo claimed that the line “I just did a DNA test turns out I’m a hundred percent that bitch” was the only item to come out of the session with the brothers. She added that the line was inspired by a tweet that another songwriter, Jesse Saint John Geller, brought to the group’s attention. Geller is not part of the litigation.   [7:20] – Overview of Copyright Ownership Law & Derivative Works   What are the 6 exclusive copyright rights?     The right to reproduce and make copies of an original work; The right to prepare derivative works based on the original work; The right to distribute copies to the public by sale or another form of transfer, such as rental or lending; The right to publicly perform the work; The right to publicly display the work, and The right to perform sound recordings publicly through digital audio transmission.   What is a derivative work?     A derivative work is a work based on or derived from one or more already existing works.   To be copyrightable, a derivative work must incorporate some or all of a preexisting “work” and add new original copyrightable authorship to that work. The derivative work right is often referred to as the adaptation right.    [9:30] – How does the law apply to Lizzo’s case?   The brothers are claiming that Truth Hurts is a derivative of a song that they own the copyright to. [10:20] – Key Takeaways   Get everything in writing from the start. Collaboration Agreements are a MUST Know your rights.   Resources Mentioned During This Episode   Collaboration Agreement Template Call Her Daddy Podcast Episode about IP and Collaboration Agreements   Subscribe   Website | Apple | Stitcher   

Do you want to manifest success and perform at a higher level? If so, today’s episode is for you! Kimberly Spencer spills all the tea about how she went from a pilates instructor to a highly sought after coach and trainer with feature credits like The CW, ESPN, NPR, and Forbes. Kimberly shares the circuitous route to where she is, and the hard-learned business lesson that shook her but pushed her to finally find her true purpose. She talks about watching her parents’ entrepreneurial journey and success, struggling with loving her whole self, having numerous passions and not knowing which to pursue, and much more. If you want to learn how to manifest your best self, life, and business, listen to the end and check out some of her courses, like #MompreneurMindset, #MindYourBusiness, or #ProductivityPower at the link below. More on Kimberly Kimberly Spencer is an award-winning high-performance coach and trainer, Amazon best-selling co-author, international motivational speaker, and the founder of CrownYourself.com, helping high achievers build their empire and sparkle with holistic fulfillment in their bodies, businesses, and relationships. From her entrepreneurial beginnings at five selling bags of glitter-water to her neighbors, to becoming an award-winning screenwriter, certified Pilates instructor, Miss Congeniality, and six-time WEGO Health Activist Award nominee, Kimberly is proof that it's better to make your own mold than to conform to someone else's. She's also the former executive of a national e-commerce startup and was the owner of the private Pilates studio, Fitness with Kim in Los Angeles, CA.  Her journey into the world of mompreneurship with her husband was featured in the 2017 Netflix docuseries, Being Dad. Her work has been featured on The CW, ESPN, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and NPR, and in Thrive Global, Girls Life, CNBC, and Forbes. Her premiere solo book, Mind Full Meals: How to Dethrone Food Fears and Reign in a Body the Rules debuts in September 2020. Where to find Kimberly Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberly.spencer/ Course Website: https://www.crownyourselfmembers.com Best Way for Audience to Contact You: Email: kim@crownyourself.com

Today’s episode is all about how to legally protect your intellectual property [read anything you create]. The Unspoken Terms podcast is all about how to avoid the common mistakes that are made in business, as entrepreneurs and creatives. Not protecting the things you create is right at the top of that list, so today we are going to dive right into two examples that show the perils of not protecting yourself and your brand and advantages of knowing your rights, respectively. Let Nick Cannon be a cautionary tale and Micheala Coel be an ode to the power you hold in ownership and knowledge. Tune in and let’s chat about copyrights, trademarks, and IP!   More background on these situations: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nick-cannon-responds-viacomcbs-firing-lengthy-facebook-post-1303292    https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshwilson/2020/07/07/i-may-destroy-yous-michaela-coel-rejected-netflixs-1-million-offer-in-favor-of-the-bbc-because-of-ownership/#645b900f1fc7   Send Casey a question at:  hello@contractcasey.com 

Today’s episode, with Abu Fofanah, is chock full of entrepreneurial, marketing, and advertising gems! Dubbed the Lieutenant of Marketing, Abu talks about his journey from a young entrepreneur, to wall street, agency founder, then marketing coach.  You’ve probably seen his ads. As a marketing coach who has helped hundreds of business owners make millions of dollars, with his Power Your Launch marketing accelerator, Abu shares knowledge on how to get started with marketing, identify your target audience, create a marketing plan, and run profitable ads. He also talks about some hard lessons he has learned along the way and how businesses can scale, even during a global pandemic. As an added bonus for the culture, his main demographic is black women entrepreneurs. More on Abu Abu Fofanah is a digital strategist and entrepreneur. He is the CEO of a digital marketing agency called House of Fofanah, which is aimed at developing technology-focused solutions to help brands monetize their online communities. He is the founder of Power Your Launch Virtual Marketing Accelerator targeted to helping small business owners utilize digital marketing, specifically paid advertisement to excel in the growth of their business. Since it’s initiation in 2019 the Marketing Accelerator has helped over 500 women of color founders begin monetizing their brands online and on social. Where to find Abu Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abufofanah/ Best Way for Audience to Contact You: Email: abu@houseoffofanah.com

It’s no secret that entrepreneurship is a lot of work! There are so many moving pieces, and plenty to focus on at every stage of business. Today’s guest, Maya Elious, breaks down exactly what you should be focusing on if you want to build a successful 6-figure business.  Maya takes us behind the scenes of her entrepreneurial journey, and how she broke the mold of expectations to build the life of her dreams. Maya also shares her hardest lessons in entrepreneurship and how she learned the importance of protecting her intellectual property as a content creator and former freelancer.  More on Maya Maya Elious is a personal branding strategist that teaches experts how to position themselves as the go-to authority figure in their industry so they can confidently launch their signature offer. She’s helped hundreds of students and clients get clear on their message, confidently increase their prices, have successful five-figure launches with their masterclasses, webinars, courses, and programs. Her main mission is to help women increase their impact and income with their gifts and expertise. When she’s not helping her clients build their online empire, she can be found traveling, scrolling through IG, or watching Hulu. Where to find Maya Website: https://builttoimpact.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayaelious/ Email: me@mayaelious.com

Today’s episode of the podcast is all about turning your passions into profit! Our guest, Francesca Murray, is no stranger to monetizing your gifts to build businesses and create impact. Longing to see more representation and diversity within the travel industry, Francesca set out to turn her love for travel into a thriving business. She shares just how she did that through various revenue streams, such as business coaching, affiliate partnerships, and brand endorsement deals; and also shares her bigger vision for the future.  More on Francesca Francesca Murray is an LA-based lifestyle content creator, guidebook author and award-winning travel expert. She is a trusted voice in the travel industry, and has been featured in esteemed publications like The Washington Post, Forbes and Essence Magazine. Known for her natural hair, Francesca is passionate about encouraging self-love and believes that life is a journey - so why not travel in style? Where to find Francesca Website: https://www.onegirl-oneworld.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onegrloneworld/ Email: francesca@onegirl-oneworld.com

Today, we’re back with another Contract Case Study! This time, we are taking a look at the “Call Her Daddy” Podcast contract dispute between co-hosts Sofia Franklyn and Alexandra Cooper and their podcast platform, Barstool Sports. Casey breaks down one of the biggest issues presented in this dispute, and what every content creator should be aware of when collaborating with other creatives.  More background on this dispute: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/style/call-her-daddy-podcast.html Resources mentioned in this episode:  Collaboration Agreement Contract Template Send Casey a question at hello@contractcasey.com 

Today on the podcast, Casey talks with beauty-preneur Kim Roxie, founder and CEO of LAMIK Beauty. As a long time entrepreneur, Kim shares invaluable advice on building  relationships to grow your business, and utilizing the resources you have to reach your goals. Kim also shares how she created her own seat at the table to secure startup funding for her tech-based beauty brand.  If you’re in the beauty industry you don’t want to miss this episode! Kim is just as transparent about the great aspects of entrepreneurship, as she is about the “not so great” things that come with building a successful business. Hear some of the hardest lessons she’s learned in her journey, and how you can avoid these common mistakes as you build your own brand.  More on Kim Kim Roxie is the founder and CEO of LAMIK Beauty. LAMIK is a clean (non-toxic) makeup line that uses technology to serve their customers. Upcoming Event Mentioned in Episode:  B.G.E. Pop-Up B.G.E. Pop-Up is an online marketplace event to support Black Women-Owned Businesses.  Summer events may be canceled but business is OPEN per usual. Discover your new favorite beauty and fashion brands while investing in the mental, emotional, and financial well-being of women who look like you. WHEN BLACK WOMEN WIN, WE ALL WIN. REGISTER HERE   Where to find Kim Website: https://lamikbeauty.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekimroxie/ Email: kim@lamikbeauty.com

In today’s episode of the podcast, Casey chats with the founder of Hype Gal, a Copywriting & Marketing Studio. Hype Gal CEO, Karsen Murray, opens up about the client contract (or lack thereof) that changed her business for good! Karsen shares how she wound up making this crucial mistake and the steps she’s taken since, to ensure that her business is protected.  Beyond this teachable moment, Karsen takes us behind the scenes of her entrepreneurial journey and shares some useful marketing tips for entrepreneurs looking to get their voices heard.  More on Karsen Karsen Murray is the founder of Hype Gal - a Copywriting & Marketing Studio that helps brands get noticed in a crowded marketplace so they can increase their sales. The three main ways she helps brands do this is via sales funnel strategy, website copy, and email marketing. After the work is done you can find her sipping champagne in a bubble bath or hanging out with her husband and their three dogs! Where to find Karsen Website: https://hypegal.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypegal.co/ Email: karsen@hypegal.co

In Episode 023 of the podcast, Casey unpacked the pending lawsuit and contract dispute between Megan Thee Stallion and her record label 1501 Entertainment. Has Meg been overreacting, or is the contract as terrible as the social media wars would have you think? Well today, we’re back with an update!  In today’s episode, we take a look at Meg’s recent victories in court and what they really mean (p.s. It may not be what you think!). To help steer the conversation, Casey has teamed with fellow entertainment and music attorney, Corian Johnson. The two discuss where both parties of this lawsuit went wrong when they initially signed this contract, the standard terms that should be included in every contract to help steer disputes, and so much more!  More on Corian Corian Johnson is an associate at Robert D. Clements Jr., Law Group, LLP. He was born in Fort Stewart, Georgia and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. Corian obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice from Texas Southern University. He also received his law degree from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law.    Prior to earning his law degree, Corian gained experience in the entertainment industry, working with such companies as Radio-One, ScoreMore and CIROC (via Combs Enterprises). His professional memberships include: The Houston Bar Association and The Recording Academy (GRAMMY’s) - Texas Chapter. Corian is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and enjoys serving the community in his spare time. Where to Find Corian Instagram: @corian_esq The best way for Audience to Contact You: corian.johnson18@gmail.com

Influencer marketing is big business! In today's episode, we go behind the scenes of the booming and often misunderstood world of influencer marketing, with industry professional Jessy Grossman.  Jessy provides an eye-opening perspective of the industry as an influencer talent manager and takes us behind the scenes of how she's managed to build her business in this space.  We talk about Jessy's entrepreneurial journey, and common pitfalls to avoid as an influencer and as an influencer representative. Whether you're new to the industry, or more experienced, you don't want to miss this episode!  More on Jessy Jessy is an entertainment and media professional with over a decade of entertainment experience and a sharp, forward-thinking mindset.Jessy represents digital talent as they work with digital content companies, advertisers, and brands to produce buzz-worthy entertainment that engages audiences, drives monetization, and accomplishes key goals/objectives on their behalf.Since 2009, Jessy has been at the forefront of the digital content revolution. From production to an interest in technology, and talent representation Jessy's work in the digital commercial realm has led to the creation of new business models and new digital opportunities for her clients with such brands as Unilever, Mattel, Almay, OtterBox, Old Navy, Gap, Target, Steve Madden, HP, Sephora, Gilt, H&M, and many other companies from emerging brands to Fortune 500s.Specific areas of expertise include:- Digital Talent Representation- Digital IP Deal Structure, Negotiation, and Contracting- Digital Marketing- Production- Development- Content CreationShe currently resides in (and loves) New York City and works with clients all over the world. Where to find Jessy Websites: jessygrossman.com iamwiim.com Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialmediaagent/ Best Way for Audience to Contact You: Email jessy@jessygrossman.com

Calling all entrepreneurs! Today’s episode is for you. Serial entrepreneur Michael Ferrera drops some serious knowledge about businesses that he has amassed over the last couple of decades as he built 5 successful businesses while living a life he enjoys! As a bespoke clothier, author, and family man, Michael shares some great insights into how to build businesses, how he has crafted a high profile fashion brand, and how to avoid some of the common legal pitfalls he’s seen. He even talks about how to enjoy life and travel, while building your empire. You don’t want to miss this one! More on Michael Michael Ferrera is the Founder and President of Michael Ferrera Custom Clothing, a bespoke clothier for business professionals, athletes & entertainers. Michael Ferrera is the author of the book series titled The Perfect Gentleman’s Pocket Guide, an Amazon Best Seller, to be the perfect gentleman in life’s awkward situations. Michael Ferrera has been a fashion designer since he was a child and has been designing professionally for over a dozen years. The Michael Ferrera brand is his second clothing company after he started his first casual T-shirt line while in college at UC Riverside called Maestro Tech. After graduating with a business economics degree and attending fashion design school, Michael elevated his design aesthetic to mature with his growth over time. Michael Ferrera Bespoke now specializes in one on one personal service to create the perfect fit bespoke suits, custom shirts, custom-made shoes and accessories for gentlemen who want to look and feel their best.  In addition to business, Michael Ferrera is a professional scuba diver, loves traveling, sporting events and enjoys philanthropic engagements. He currently serves on the board at the Los Angeles Urban League. Michael Ferrera still resides in his hometown of Los Angeles with his wife and daughter. Where to find Michael Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelferrera/ Best Way for Audience to Contact You: Email ferrera@michaelferrera.com

Today’s episode, with Ashleigh Reddy, is pure gold for anyone looking to get into professional photography, or any type of entrepreneurial pursuit! Ashleigh gives us a candid look into the ins and outs of being a creative professional and securing huge contracts with major brands. Ashleigh shares the lessons she has learned on her journey to being a full-time international photographer. She has a wealth of knowledge about knowing your value, negotiating deals, and avoiding bad contracts. She works with huge brands and entrepreneurs, alike, so she can offer a unique perspective to anyone looking to get into visual branding. More on Ashleigh Ashleigh Reddy is a travel, lifestyle, corporate and tech event photographer from Las Vegas, NV. She currently resides in San Francisco, CA. She also works with brands on social media to create content both behind and in front of the camera. She has national and international clients and continues to grow her business year after year. Her client roster includes Google, Dropbox, Facebook, Soulcycle, Adidas, Travel Noire, NBC, Mastercard, Essence Magazine, and more! Where to find Ashleigh Social Media:  Instagram: https://instagram.com/stayreddy Best Way for Audience to Contact You: Email: ashleigh@stayreddy.com

Today’s episode, with Natasha Samuel, is for anyone interested in using Instagram for business or branding. Natasha offers insight into how to tell your story strategically, on social media for small business and creative entrepreneurial success. Her passion for helping small businesses shine online has helped her establish a creative studio that takes clients’ social platforms to the next level! Natasha shares how she helps businesses step up their social media strategy and execution to convert followers to clients and customers. She also talks about how she is adapting to the current world climate in her business. Natasha offers services and resources through her studio and her podcast that you definitely want to tap into, so make sure you listen until the end! More on Natasha Natasha is the founder of Sol Studio, an Instagram creative studio that specializes in storytelling and strategy. She offers small businesses and creative entrepreneurs Instagram content creation, strategy sessions, educational resources, and The Shine Online Podcast. She helps clients shine on social media through effective strategies and intentional execution. Where to find Natasha Social Media:  Instagram: http://instagram.com/solstudiomarketing Best Way for Audience to Contact You: Instagram @solstudiomarketing

Today, Casey chats with Timeesha Duncan about creative brand strategy and how to position your brand for success. Timeesha has a lot of experience in the creative space, as she has worked in multiple industries and worn many hats. She offers an insightful perspective that uniquely qualifies her to take creative brands from the ground floor to internationally impactful platforms. Timeesha shares some of her interesting path to the international success she now is, having been dubbed the Olivia Pope of Branding, and tidbits that she has learned along the way. She dives into the legal lessons that she wishes she knew from the very beginning and explains how she has readjusted her business over the years, to handle the ups and downs. You don’t want to miss one second of this powerful episode, so get ready! More on Timeesha Timeesha Duncan is an Award-Winning Speaker, International #1-Best-Selling Author, and Creative Brand Strategist and Educator. She is best known for helping entrepreneurs create powerhouse brands that captivate their target audience, build their tribe, and impact millions with their brand message. Where to find Timeesha Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timeeshaduncan/ Best Way for Audience to Contact You: Email: timeesha@timeeshaduncan.com 

Today, Casey chats with Kyona McGhee about the legal side of branding your business. Kyona is an intellectual property attorney who specializes in trademarks. Her path to her current success was not the typical one, though. She shares her unconventional path and the things that kept her motivated to reach her goals, no matter what. Her passion is to equip people to protect their ideas, businesses, and brands.  Kyona talks about her personal experience with building a business around an idea that was already trademarked and the common mistakes that many businesses make in regards to protecting their brand. She also shares some insight into how the trademarking process can go wrong when the foundation is not solid from the very beginning. If you want to make sure your brilliant brand is protected and even hear how to pivot your passion and focus or pursue protection for that passion during the current state of affairs, you will want to listen until the very end! More on Kyona Kyona is the founder of The McGhee Law Firm, PLLC. As a mother of two small children and a wife, she graduated as valedictorian of her law school class in May 2018. Prior to graduation, she was being recognized for her expertise and skill. Kyona was selected to be the teaching assistant while in law school for The Law of Evidence and Professional Ethics and Responsibility courses. She was also named by Ms. JD as a "Woman of the Law" at an event at Harvard Law School in the fall of 2017. Lastly, she is regarded as a leader in the small business community, having been named "Minority Small business Owner of the Year," by the Flint and Genesee Chamber of Commerce in 2015. ​Where to find Kyona Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyonathelawyer/ Best Way for Audience to Contact You: email - kyona@themcgheelawfirm.com

Today’s episode, with Dominique Broadway, is chocked full of insight into money management, entrepreneurial success, and pivoting your business during times of change and transition! Dominique is all about financial literacy and demystifying finances. Dominique talks with Casey about how she is shifting her business during this current state of affairs. She draws on the wealth of knowledge she has gained over the years as a serial entrepreneur and financial enthusiast. She shares the experiences she has had in business, from legal mishaps to times she has previously had to readjust her business to move forward. As always she sprinkles in the types of golden nuggets that have landed her spots on some of the most elite lists and media platforms during her career! You’ll definitely want to listen until the very end! More on Dominique Dominique Broadway is an award-winning Personal Finance Coach, Speaker, Finance Expert and the Founder of Finances Demystified & The Social Money Tour. Dominique has received various accolades such as the Top 30 Under 30 in Washington DC, the DC Future Business Leader of America Businessperson of the Year and the Top Financial Advisor for Millennials in the US. Dominique’s demystified financial advice has been highlighted on Yahoo!, Huffington Post, Forbes, USA Today, Black Enterprise, Marketwatch.com, Ebony Magazine, Levo League, Refinery29 and other media outlets. She has a strong passion for working with young professionals, entrepreneurs, and people of all ages to bring their Dreams2Reality. Where to find Dominique Social Media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FINANCESDEMYSTIFIED/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dominiquebroadway/ Best Way for Audience to Contact You: email - dominique@financesdemystified.com

Today’s episode, with Candice Nicole, is one for the books! Candice is a Publicist who has worked with some of the biggest names in music and film and landed them big deals and media spots on the local and national level. She runs her firm full time and also has a passion for connecting women and helping them find success and balance in their careers and businesses.  For over a decade, Candice has been growing her firm and brand. She spends her time representing talent, speaking, writing books, hosting a podcast and winning awards in her field. Today she talks about her experiences as a PR professional while working in the corporate world (and hating it), starting her own firm, leaving her 9-5, navigation client contracts and huge brand deals, and building the life she desired. She talks about the unconventional path she took to becoming an entrepreneur and how she has used social media and word of mouth to build her empire. She also gets into how entrepreneurs can stay profitable and innovative even in the midst of uncertainty, the importance of reading contracts and having paper trails, and how to avoid common pitfalls in business. More on Candice Candice Nicole is an Award-Winning Publicist who graduated from Morgan State University. She is a full-time entrepreneur, owner of Candice Nicole Public Relations, Creator of the Women Who Hustle network, which is space for women to hone in on their hustle and balance and Respect The Publicist, which is a network for Publicists that also welcomes those who are Journalists, Branding/Marketing/Social Media professionals. Candice is an "outside of the box" thinker and game-changer who is on a mission to inspire. She started CNPR over 12 years ago and has worked with some of the top talents in music and film including Spike Lee, Musiq Soulchild, Tika Sumpter, Marsha Ambrosius, Wyclef Jean + much more. In the last 5 years, she has shifted into working with small businesses, entrepreneurs, corporate contracts, expos/conferences, and personal brands. Throughout the years, CNPR clients have been seen/highlighted on STEVE, The Today Show, ABC World News Now, Hulu, Cheddar, BET, TV One, Rolling Out, SHEEN Magazine, Essence Magazine, The Huffington Post, Black Enterprise, XO Necole, BOSSIP, The AFRO, Singersroom, The Washington Informer, local/national morning news shows, local & national radio stations, podcasts + more! Where to find Candice Social Media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candicenicolepublicrelations Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candicenicolepr/ Best Way for Audience to Contact You: email - CANDICE@CANDICENICOLEPR.COM

In today’s episode, Casey addresses another pressing matter that is on a lot of minds, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are finding themselves having to cancel or postpone engagements and campaigns because of the local and national restrictions that are being put in place. It can be hard to navigate the legal ramifications of crises like these when considering the terms of the agreements contracts. There is also the matter of keeping the money flowing, and Casey has some tips for getting creative and staying ahead of potential holdups. Casey highlights the main terms and conditions that you should be aware of and have in your contracts, to protect your brand and content during times like these. From assignment clauses to termination/cancellation provisions, she covers everything you need to know to conduct business when the unexpected happens. If you want to set your business or brands up for success, no matter what happens, you need to listen to this episode! More on Casey Growing up in a creative, musically inclined family, Casey’s mind was set on becoming a professional songwriter at the age of 15. It wasn’t until going to college where she started taking courses in music business, that she soon realized her passion for the business side of the industry. Casey knew then, that she wanted to do something different with her talents, and serve to safeguard the talents of those around her. On a mission to protect the rights and interests of often exploited minority talent and influencers, Casey went on to pursue a legal career in the entertainment industry.  Prior to starting her own law practice, Casey gained valuable legal experience working with an LA and Houston based entertainment law firm, interning with the legal department of General Electric and clerking for both State and Federal Judges. Casey graduated from Alabama State University with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Recording Industry. Casey earned her J.D. with honors from Thurgood Marshall School of Law where she served as the Symposium Editor of the Thurgood Marshall Law Review. Casey also holds a Certification in Mediation and Global Arbitration from Queen Mary University of London. Resources mentioned during this episode Special Consultation: http://bit.ly/covidandcontracts Where to find Casey Website: chandylaw.com and contractcasey.com Social Media Handle: @contractcasey Best Way for Audience to Contact You: hello@chandylaw.com

In today’s episode, Casey addresses a current situation that has gained a lot of attention in the media.  Many have asked about the validity of Megan Thee Stallion’s case against her record label 1501, regarding her contract. Is the contract terrible, or is Megan overreacting? Casey’s experience representing multi-faceted artists, led her to recognize the needs of other influencers and creatives. Particularly those utilizing the online space to create community, build a platform, and leverage opportunities. Casey prides herself on prioritizing her client’s interests and protecting their most valuable assets as they pursue new endeavors. However, her roots are in the entertainment industry, which uniquely positions her to take a close look at this general question and shed a very clear light on how entertainment contracts work, and how you can make them work for you! More on Casey Growing up in a creative, musically inclined family, Casey’s mind was set on becoming a professional songwriter at the age of 15. It wasn’t until going to college where she started taking courses in music business, that she soon realized her passion for the business side of the industry. Casey knew then, that she wanted to do something different with her talents, and serve to safeguard the talents of those around her. On a mission to protect the rights and interests of often exploited minority talent and influencers, Casey went on to pursue a legal career in the entertainment industry.  Prior to starting her own law practice, Casey gained valuable legal experience working with a LA and Houston based entertainment law firm, interning with the legal department of General Electric and clerking for both State and Federal Judges. Casey graduated from Alabama State University with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Recording Industry. Casey earned her J.D. with honors from Thurgood Marshall School of Law where she served as the Symposium Editor of the Thurgood Marshall Law Review. Casey also holds a Certification in Mediation and Global Arbitration from Queen Mary University of London. Where to find Casey Website: chandylaw.com and contractcasey.com Social Media Handle: @contractcasey Best Way for Audience to Contact You: hello@chandylaw.com: 

In today’s episode, financial expert Dr. Nicole Garner Scott lets us in on how she learned how to manage money and build wealth. As a serial entrepreneur who is also a black woman, she is acutely aware of the struggles and obstacles that many face, when trying to build the life and financial freedom that they desire. Because of this awareness, she aims to get more folks talking about money and learning how to navigate the financial landscape, by sharing her own experiences and hard-earned expertise. Dr. Garner Scott shares personal stories that have led her to where she is today, and taught her how to avoid common pitfalls in business and life. Having worked with various international brands and even been invited to speak at the White House, she has plenty of information to share, so you do not want to miss this! More on Dr. Garner Scott Dr. Nicole Garner Scott is a highly sought after serial entrepreneur, finance expert and coach. She launched Amount Financial Services which has positioned her as a thought leader, teacher, speaker and nationally recognized money expert while gracing the stages of TEDx, the White House and more. A  disruptor, who's committed to normalizing money talks around the nation, Nicole uses her own story and experiences to empower others with tools to change their financial trajectories. She has appeared in Essence, Cheddar, Upscale Magazine, and Rolling Out to name a few.  Where to find Dr. Garner Scott Website: amountfinancial.com Social Media Handle: @drgarnerscott Best Way for Audience to Contact You: nicole@amountfinancial.com

In today’s episode, Ashley Renne shares a ton of hard-earned insight into how she got started on her Brand, what has helped her to increase value and hit the 6-figure level of brand deals, and how to avoid getting locked into terrible deal contracts. She talks about quitting her corporate job and building the personal brand that she has always dreamed of. Ashley gets into the business system set-up that helped her triple her income, and the horrible contract with an international brand, that taught her the importance of having someone review her contracts and building a team that is better than her in the areas that are not her expertise and passion. Listen in for the details of how she has learned her biggest lessons and gained the biggest leaps in her personal brand! More on Ashley Renne Ashley Renne is an on-camera host, professional content creator, and keynote speaker. Her personal brand Hey Ashley Renne is a vegan & sustainable lifestyle brand, that shows others how to live an adventurously green life through plant-based eating, eco-friendly living, and sustainable technology. She also has a professional background in media production and creates tools and resources to teach content creators how to level up their production quality, pitching techniques, and negotiation skills. Where to find Ashley Renee Website: heyashleyrenne.com Email: Ashley@heyashleyrenne.com Social Media Handle: @heyashleyrenne Best Way for Audience to Contact You: IG DM - www.instagram.com/heyashleyrenne

Today’s episode goes out to all the fierce femmes! Listen to hear from Meagan Ward y’all about her inspirational journey to the successful businesswoman, wife, and mother, that she is today. As a serial entrepreneur, organic influencer, and CEO, she shares insights into what it takes for women to take control of their lives and careers! Learn tips for entrepreneurship, landing major brand deals, setting up a powerful business backend, and thriving in all of the areas of life, while you’re at it! Powerfully poised in entrepreneurial activism and global empowerment, Meagan Ward is the incomparable impact leader, strategist and branding maven consistently positioning women for greatness in business and life. Crafting her own life’s work around the transcendence of womanhood and career, Meagan’s keen expertise as an industry trailblazer has propelled hundreds of women forward through the transformation of passion into purpose, helping each woman to uniquely define and create success on their own terms--something she achieved for herself in just three years. More on Meagan Meagan has created an enterprising network of women as owner of Creatively Flawless, a branding agency for women-owned businesses, owner of FEMOLOGY, Detroit’s first female-focused co-working space, and creator of The Powerful Women, the acclaimed movement highlighting powerful women in Detroit which cultivates rich experiences for women to embrace, learn, bond and uplift through sisterhood. As a reflection of its owner, Meagan’s first business, Creatively Flawless, has serviced hundreds of women across the nation in the first-hand development of their strategic and visual branding. Meagan’s continuous capacity to set the bar high for herself and every woman with whom she encounters has afforded her recognition and features in Black Enterprise, The Huffington Post, Crain's, Rolling Out and a host of others. Her dedicated brand work has been displayed in Times Square, Target, Vogue, Essence magazine and more.  Where to find Meagan Website: https://www.meaganward.co/ Social Media:  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/femology Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/meaganaward Business Instagram: https://instagram.com/creativelyflawless Femology Instagram: https://instagram.com/femology Best Way for Audience to Contact You: email - hello@femologydetroit.com

Today’s episode is all about navigating the blogging industry and monetizing your influence. Majesty Acheampong shares how she has found success as a content creator and blogger and now provides resources and training for women who are looking to do the same. As the creator of MajestyAcheampong.com, Majesty provides a space where women can get the stay up-to-date with the latest in fashion, beauty, hair, and lifestyle, in addition to finding resources to help them use their passion and influences to become successful content creators. On top of being an awesome businesswoman, Majesty shares how she balances work with being a wife and staying invested in her husband’s entrepreneurial endeavors, as well. She also shares how she has seen the industry landscape change over the years, how she manages her business on the backend and the legal issues that aspiring content creators should keep in mind. This episode is packed with gems that will help you take your brand to the next level, so be sure to listen to the very end! More on Majesty Majesty Acheampong is the creator of MajestyAcheampong.com, an online destination for women that features a lifestyle blog along with resources for content creators. From her blog, you can expect posts related to fashion, beauty, hair, lifestyle, and marriage. Over the years, Majesty has grown her influence by working with brands such as Pantene, Urban Skin RX, Olay, and Carol’s Daughter to name a few. Majesty has also served as an on-air contributor for WCCB Charlotte and been featured as a speaker & panelist for many events & conferences. Majesty now teaches new bloggers industry skills through her workshops, coaching services and Ignite Your Influence Conference.  Where to find Majesty Website: MajestyAcheampong.com Social Media:  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Bornmajestic Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majestyacheampong Event Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/igniteyourinfluence Best Way for Audience to Contact You: email - info@bornmajestic.com  

Today’s episode with Jordan Gill is all about systems, and how you can leverage them on the backend to elevate your business to the next level. Jordan knows the secret to setting up the foundation of your business to consistently execute at a level that will launch you into the 7 and 8 figure deal space. Jordan shares the systems she uses and the steps she’s taken to help successful influencers close the big deals. She also talks about the importance of getting the legal aspects of your business set up correctly and common mistakes she’s come across that can keep you from performing at your full potential. If you want your business to take off with systems in place to make it sustainable, this episode is one that you don’t want to miss!   More on Jordan Jordan Gill, operations consultant and founder of Systems Saved Me, helps overworked one-woman shows become streamlined solopreneurs. Her jam is creating a cohesive operating system for managing your tasks, files, and inbox. She’s been on podcasts like What Works and CEO Vibes sharing her philosophy around building a business to support your strengths so you can show up more powerfully. She currently lives in Dallas TX with her cavapoo Vivienne and collection of 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzles.   Where to find Jordan Website: systemssavedme.com Social Media:  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/systemssavedme Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/systemssavedme   Best Way for Audience to Contact: Instagram or email hello@systemssavedme  

Today’s episode with Vernetta R. Freeney (award-winning micro-event blogger, award-winning event producer, community builder, speaker, and podcaster) is an inside look at what it takes to turn a blog into a business and do it so well that the world takes note. She details the nitty-gritty of the ups and downs of her years as a professional blogger and why she has made the decisions she has over the years, that have helped her to continue to thrive!   Vernetta shares why she started blogging, how she started getting paid to do it, what she did to grow that initial blog into a multifaceted, multi-income stream producing platform. She shares the things she’s learned along the way to avoid the common blogger wars and legal battles that are prevalent in this industry, with finesse and success.    More on Vernette   Vernetta R. Freeney is an award-winning Paid Event blogger who covers and promotes them. She’s the Creator/Producer of the podcast, A Toast To Truths. She is also an award-winning event producer, speaker and community builder. She shares the dirty truth about entrepreneurship via her podcast & blogging on her Youtube channel. She was one of the Top 100 Young Professionals in Houston 2015 and has been featured on cnbc.com, EOFire podcast and a host of other media outlets.   When she’s not perusing Twitter, she’s reading a really good book, binge watching Netflix, journaling, napping, eating chocolate or cheering on her beloved Dallas Mavericks.   Vernetta is a regular guest on blogs, podcasts and other media. She speaks at conferences, workshops, trainings and more across the country with her je ne sais quoi introverted speaking style.   Where to find Vernetta   Website: vernettarfreeney.com   Social Media Handle: @vrfreeney Best Way for Audience to Contact You: vernetta@vernettarfreeney.com   

Today’s episode with Kahlea Nicole (Gal Getaway, Instagramable Workshop, Network to Network Coaching Program) is overflowing with nuggets of insightful truth for anyone with goals. Her insight has helped her build a solid blog following, land partnerships with international brands, coach many others to business success, and be paid to realize her lifelong dream of going to New York Fashion Week.   Kahlea shares how integrity, introspection, and building a strong support team, has helped her build a brand that she loves and keeps her from feeling pressured to sign shady contracts. When it comes to business, Kahlea starts with making sure her values and focus are right, before she makes a move. She explains, in-depth, the way she has strategically set up her business and surrounded herself with people who are on her team, to position herself to work only with brands she loves and be selective with the contracts she signs.    For the inside scoop on how she avoids bad contracts and burnout, and was able to turn down a $12,000 deal without losing sleep or slowing her rapid growth, be sure to tune in!   More on Kahlea   Kahlea Nicole is an Influencer Coach, the founder of Gal Getaway, and a major goofball with a serious obsession with tacos! Four years after deciding to launch a blog her freshman year of college, she has become a full time entrepreneur that has hosted 15 events for over 500 women, worked with 100+ brands on varying partnership campaigns and coached over 50 women on how to create more impact with less overwhelm by leveraging and monetizing their passions.   She graduated from USF St. Petersburg with a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing in August of 2019 (Go Bulls!) and now, through her educational resources, she teaches gals how to own their unique story, show up online, and strategically strive towards their dreams with confidence.   Where to find Kahlea   Website: kahleanicole.com   Social Media Handle: @kahleanicolee Best Way for Audience to Contact You: kahlea@kahleanicole.com

In today’s episode, Africa Miranda (Step Up, Step Out, and Shine and Media Mastery Workshop) shares the mindsets and frameworks that have helped her turn her unique creative talents into profit as an author, actress, host, digital personality, brand ambassador, beautyprenuer, and more!   Africa shares how to step outside of your comfort zone, take risks, and maximize every opportunity to realize your potential and capitalize on the talent and voice that is already inside of you. Listen as she talks about landing her major brand partnerships, international modeling campaigns, previous business mistakes, critical business frameworks, and pro tips and tricks that she is now sharing with the masses through her book, Media Mastery Workshop, and Shine Media Training Course.    More on Africa   Africa Miranda is an author, actress, host, digital personality, and beautyprenuer who fuses her vast cultural encounters and uncommon creativity to bring the world her unique perspective.   She was the first brand ambassador to partner with international hair company Creme of Nature.  This opportunity afforded Africa several international campaigns as a model and actress plus partnerships with major brands such as Refinery29, Macy’s, TJ Maxx, and Kia Motors America to name a few. Since then, she has written her first book titled Step Up, Step Out, and Shine in which she encourages individuals to tap into their higher selves. In addition, Africa landed a highly-coveted partnership with Facebook Watch in which she hosted and executively produced The Africa Miranda Show.  She has been featured in a myriad of popular media outlets and brought the world Beauty by Africa Miranda. This glamorous, yet affordable beauty lifestyle line was designed with the everyday woman in mind. Africa was born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in Montgomery, Alabama.  She graduated from Alabama State University.   Resources mentioned in today’s episode   http://shinemediatraining.com   https://mediamasteryworkshop.com   Where to find Africa   Website: africamiranda.com   Social Media Handle: @africamiranda Best Way for Audience to Contact You: info@africamiranda.com

Today, I sit down with career and leadership professional Kimberly B. Cummings. Kimberly takes us behind the scenes of her first national, live television debut and talks about everything from the initial phone call, preparing for her segment, and how she managed to fly across the country for this opportunity while managing her full-time job. Kimberly also sheds light on how she runs her creative business, Manifest Yourself, LLC, and the steps she's taken to become a sought after corporate speaker and career coach. We talk about everything from money management and accounting, contracts and negotiations with larger companies, to self care and balance.  You can learn more about Kimberly and her company on her website and connect with her on all social media platforms at @manifesturself  You can also check out her full segment on TVOne's Sister Circle TV here! >>> https://youtu.be/OhCkItviQSM  

This week on the podcast, we wrap up a three-part series all about preparing your creative business for a successful 2020. One of the most common mistakes I see creatives make is failing to get their business in order when pursuing big opportunities.  In this episode, I talk about protecting your brand in a major way with trademarks, copyrights, and contracts, before you start pitching big deals. I answer some of the most common questions I get from entrepreneurs, such as: what's the difference between trademarks and copyrights, how do I go about registering them, when should I register, how do I protect my brand with contracts, and what are the most important contracts to have when starting out? I answer all of this, and more in this week's episode!  Resources mentioned in today's episode: Trademark registration - uspto.gov Copyright registration - copyright.gov Contract templates - influencercontracts.com