Podcast appearances and mentions of annette stepanian

Starting a new business can be tricky.  You want to do it right, and you want to do it legally. Guest Lawyer, Annette Stepanian, shares tips for legally starting your business and when to hire a Lawyer.  We discuss: * Naming your business * When to hire a lawyer * Trademarks Be sure to get Annette's free PDF download: 5 Legal Ingredients for a Tip-Top Business

Hey planners! As you embark on your journey of growing your wedding planning business you’ll definitely want to think about protecting yourself from a legal standpoint. That’s why we brought on Annette Stepanian of Your Legal BFF. Annette helps to simplify a lot of the legal aspects of your business in a way that makes it way less intimidating and easier to understand. In this episode, she shares how she started her company and her perspective on the wedding industry. We chat about the importance of getting the legal aspects of your business squared away, what to look for when hiring legal help and what things you need to consider when starting your wedding planning business.  What’s in this episode: What Annette’s childhood was like Her experience of working at a law firm  Why she made the decision to leave the law firm Her story of starting a jewelry company and wanting to help people legally Why she decided to start Your Legal BFF Her view from an outsider’s perspective on what she sees in the wedding industry Why you need to get your legal ducks in a row What you should look out for when hiring legal help How you can protect your business and clients from things like a pandemic What things you must think about when starting a business Why you should cultivate relationships with the people you run into About Annette:Your Legal BFF™ was created by Annette Stepanian, a lawyer who helps entrepreneurs and small business owners with the legal side of running a business. A few years ago, while operating her own creative business, Annette came across other business owners who would panic anytime they were faced with either drafting, negotiating, or enforcing a contract. There were those who despite their smarts would prefer to close their eyes and ignore the need to address anything legally related. And let’s not forget some peers who, despite their best intentions, felt lost and overwhelmed when they tried to understand the law as it related to their specific business. They would scour the internet, post in Facebook groups asking for help, and cobble together some very conflicting and confusing advice. Connect with Annette:Your Legal BFF | Website |  Instagram | Office Talk Podcast This episode of the Planner Life Podcast is brought to you by Your Legal BFF. One important part of your wedding planning business is having professionally drafted contracts that protect you and your business while helping clients feel secure about investing in you. Going to a lawyer can be intimidating and expensive, that’s why we’re proud partners of Your Legal BFF, your go-to legal bestie. They offer customizable contract templates specifically for the wedding industry. Head to yourlegalbff.com and use the code: Plannerlife to save 15% off your choice of select templates.  Links mentioned:Protect Your Wedding Business Q+A with Annette Stepanian Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @lindsaylongacre and @heatherhoesch. We’d love for you to visit us online on our website. Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at The Planner Life Academy.

Here are a few massive breakthroughs you'll get from this episode…Learn what type of business structure you need as you grow your business so you can make sure that you are properly set up legally and tax-wise, which can avoid a ton of headaches down the road!Reveal what type of contracts you need with one-on-one coaching clients so you can protect yourself and your clients, which will make your new partnership so much stronger!Prepare yourself with the right policies for your coaching business so you can have the right tools in place to defend yourself and your coaching business if you ever need to use them!Discover how to protect yourself from poachers on the internet so you can keep your content, program, and online assets protected with the right legal steps!Enjoy The Podcast, Coach!Lucas Rubix WANT ANNETTE'S 5 LEGAL INGREDIENTS FOR YOUR COACHING BUSINESS?Annette Stepanian ain't your grandma's attorney. She's got you covered with these 5 essential legal ingredients every online coach should understand. Check them out HERE to learn more!Want Annette to draft your contracts for you or review what you have? Everything you need to know about her services (including her DIY legal templates) can be found at www.annettestepanian.com Thanks For Listening!You'll want to stick around each week when we drop two value-packed episodes that will teach you everything you need to build a wildly successful money-making impact-creating freedom-filled online coaching business! Plus, you've got a chance to win $500 each month when you subscribe and leave a review (full details HERE)!Winners will be announced at the beginning of each month inside the free community. Join the Online Coaching Community and join over 6,000 committed coaches to build their perfect, passionate, and profitable online coaching business, one client at a time!Lucas Rubix is the intense-looking bearded dude (don't worry… he's actually harmless) behind the Coaches Corner, a corner of the internet completely committed to helping passionate coaches like YOU build, launch and grow a passion-fuelled, freedom-filled, money-making online coaching businesses (as long as you're not afraid of some work).Having built multiple coaching businesses (both offline and online) in a wide variety of niches, his primary focus these days (when he's not interviewing top coaches, influencers, and celebrities on the Coaches Corner Podcast) is helping coaches create a business that predictably generates leads, attracts new clients and, most importantly, creates true freedom (for both COACH and CLIENT)Visit www.LucasRubix.com and get full access into the 6 Figure Coach Academy, listen to a few episodes of the Coaches corner podcast while you're at it and feel free to connect with him on Instagram @LucasRubixAnd if you're a passionate coach who's looking for a helping hand in building, launching and growing your coaching business (and attracting all the perfect clients you've ever imagined) learn about the three ways you can work together HERE and see how Lucas can help you build the coaching business of your dreams!PS — Other recommended podcasts to help move your online coaching business forward are EVAN CARMICHAEL ON UNTAPPING HUMAN POTENTIAL AND SERVING THE WORLD, GRANT CARDONE ON HOW TO SURVIVE A RECESSION AND BECOME UNSTOPPABLE!, and FINDING YOUR SOUL'S PURPOSE WITH KEVIN CARTON

Some say fun & law can’t coexist, but that means they haven’t met Annette Stepanian, a real lawyer who makes the law practical, approachable, and dare we say it – even a little fun. Not only can she lay down the law, but Annette equips other creative professionals and small business owners with the legal and business knowledge needed to confidently start and grow their businesses. Committed to making legal information accessible for small business owners and entrepreneurs, Annette founded Your Legal BFF®, your go-to online legal bestie for easy to understand and industry specific contract templates and trainings. Through Your Legal BFF® products, one-on-one services and the Office Talk podcast, Annette combines her passion for law and small business to help entrepreneurs protect their business baby! Learn more at www.annettestepanian.com or www.yourlegalbff.com. On Today’s Episode of EXPOsed Conferences™ Podcast Annette helps walk us through some of the challenges we are facing when it comes to our Event Contracts as our events are being cancelled and postponed due to COVID-19. Annette helps us identify areas we might need to rethink contracts, explaining what Force Majeure Clause in further detail and how we can rethink our event contracts to update or plan for future events.*Please note there is a little bit of static on this episode, we apologize for any inconvenience in advance.On this episode we will expose...-Key areas you should pay attention to and discuss with your clients when reviewing your event contracts- What is Force Majeure Clause really and does COVID-19 fall under the Force Majeure Clause?-What potential reprocussions can an event planner expect when dealing with event cancellation and what is the financial impact can it have on their business?-Understanding under what conditions you might consider when postponing your event-Thinking through the "breakup" of your contracts - to honor your contracts and preserving your relationships-How you can anticipate risk and make adjustments to your existing contracts-Considerations you should make when amending your event contracts-Best practices for communicating with your vendors and stakeholders -Preventive measures you can take now to re-evaluate your business Want more EXPOsed Conferences™ Podcast?!Tune In: New Episodes are available every Tuesday and don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to receive notifications about future episodes. Rate this episode (1-5) and be entered to be upgraded to "SQUAD" status....see "Support Future Episodes" for more details.Support Future Episodes: Join EXPOsed Conferences™ Podcast tribe of industry professionals and support future episodes! As a Patron of the podcast you have access to bonus episodes, resources and more that will help you take your events to the next level.Get Social: Follow us on Instagram to see what's coming up on a future show and to see EXPOsed Conferences™ live at industry events. Let's Connect! I would love to hear from you! Have an idea for a future show or want to be a guest on a future episode? Email me to schedule an exploratory call at exposedconferencespodcast@yahoo.comThis episode has been a production by EXPOsed Conferences™ Podcast © February 2019 all rights reserved.Support the show (http://patreon.com/exposedconferencespodcast)

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

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

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

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

Today's episode of the Photo Opp Podcast explores photography contracts with Annette Stepanian, founder of Your Legal BFF. Annette talks about the best (easy) ways to protect your photography business. In this episode, we're discussing: When photography contracts are required in your business Common mistakes photographers encounter legally Differentiating contracts between photography jobs Potential repercussions for operating without a contract Advice for photographers to grow their business–– safely and legally! If you are a new listener to Photo Opp, I'd love to hear from you. DM me @meganbreukelman with any questions or ideas, and join the Facebook Group for meaningful discourse within the community. http://instagram.com/meganbreukelman http://facebook.com/groups/photo.opp.podcast Handy Dandy Resources: Annette Stepanian https://shop.yourlegalbff.com/a/3269/3rDLmFwP Your Legal BFF (take the quiz!) https://shop.yourlegalbff.com/a/13098/3rDLmFwP Annette's Masterclass – From Broke to Booked Out https://shop.yourlegalbff.com/a/15929/3rDLmFwP Wedding Photographer's Contract Bundle https://shop.yourlegalbff.com/a/13143/3rDLmFwP Brand Photography Services Contract Template https://shop.yourlegalbff.com/a/13115/3rDLmFwP Event Photography Services Contract Template https://shop.yourlegalbff.com/a/13122/3rDLmFwP @annettestepanian instagram.com/annettestepanian Office Talk Podcast https://annettestepanian.com/officetalk/ Follow the Podcast: Podcast Feed meganbreukelman.com/podcast Facebook Group facebook.com/groups/photo.opp.podcast Follow the Host: Instagram instagram.com/meganbreukelman Twitter twitter.com/meganbreukelman Facebook facebook.com/meganbphotos Pinterest pinterest.com/meganbreukelman Join the Community: Join the Photo Opp Podcast Facebook Group to get involved with the community, create meaningful discussion with other photographers, learn and grow. http://facebook.com/groups/photo.opp.podcast

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

In this episode, Annette Stepanian, Lawyer for Entrepreneurs and Founder of YourLegalBFF.com shares the 5 key legal elements your business needs to address at any stage, important reasons to have solid contracts and how to avoid common contract mistakes business owners make. Website Annette Stepanian Instagram Annette Stepanian Facebook Annette Stepanian YouTube Office Talk Podcast Website Your Legal BFF Instagram Your Legal BFF Facebook Your Legal BFF This episode is brought to you by VlogEasy, (the most amazing time saving video APP that edits FOR you) check it out at: bit.ly/VLOGEASY

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

Annette Stepanian is a lawyer and the founder of Your Legal BFF. She helps creative entrepreneurs get the legal back-end of their businesses in order while making the process as fun and simple as possible. For example, did you know that every business is like a burrito? You’ll get to hear more about her burrito analogy plus common legal conflicts that arise in the wedding and events industry.  What’s in this episode: Leaving a career as a lawyer to start a jewelry business The “burrito” checklist for taking care of “the legal stuff” in a business Your Legal BFF offers legal templates and resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs Common legal issues in the wedding and events industry The problems with using any old legal contract template from the internet How to communicate expectations and contractual terms with clients How to part ways with a client when it’s not working out   Quotes: “I felt like I could speak creative but I could also speak legal and so I thought it was a really nice way to marry the two skillsets.” - Annette Stepanian “Contracts are evolving documents. It’s not a set-it-and-forget-it type of thing. You know, you don't just do it once and then never touch it again for the next like 10 years. I do recommend that people revisit them at least once a year to make sure that it reflects their current policies and procedures.”  - Annette Stepanian “I think you need to walk into every client relationship assuming that nobody is going to read your contract because most people aren't going to, unfortunately.” --Annette Stepanian “If you’re relying solely on your contract to communicate your policies, your procedures… It is a vehicle to communicate them but it shouldn’t be your sole vehicle.”  - Annette Stepanian “We’re all wronged in a lot of different ways. But sometimes you just have to look the other way because the cost of proving yourself right is taking your energy away from things that are more constructive.”  - Annette Stepanian  For full show notes and resources, head to https://rwelephant.com/podcast/episode-4-annette-stepanian

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

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

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

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

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

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

Getting your legal stuff in order is neither fun nor sexy, but is essential. Many entrepreneurs only get legal stuff in order when things are about to go wrong or only when things have already gone wrong. Our guest today is here to help us understand what legal stuff we should have for our businesses and what the best time to have them in place is. We are excited to speak to have Annette Stepanian, a lawyer for creatives and entrepreneurs. From contract drafting, trademark registration to consulting. According to Annette, it is advisable to have your legal stuff in place when starting your business. It ensures your business is well protected. For instance, can you imagine creating some content then someone comes and steals it? Would you like that? Key Talking Points: Annette's entrepreneurial journey Legal stuff needed in a business How to market without inflicting fear Key Quotes from the Episode “Copying and pasting from samples they find on the Internet robs you the opportunity to really take ownership of your business and to architect it.” Connect with Annette: Your Legal BFF Website Annette's Instagram Follow Annette on Facebook Additional Resources: Need launch coaching and strategy? Check out my Launch Intensives Want to learn the process of launching and join a nurturing community? Get on the waitlist for Fearless Launching  

Getting your legal stuff in order is neither fun nor sexy, but is essential. Many entrepreneurs only get legal stuff in order when things are about to go wrong or only when things have already gone wrong. Our guest today is here to help us understand what legal stuff we should have for our businesses and what the best time to have them in place is. We are excited to speak to have Annette Stepanian, a lawyer for creatives and entrepreneurs. From contract drafting, trademark registration to consulting. According to Annette, it is advisable to have your legal stuff in place when starting your business. It ensures your business is well protected. For instance, can you imagine creating some content then someone comes and steals it? Would you like that? Key Talking Points: Annette's entrepreneurial journey Legal stuff needed in a business How to market without inflicting fear Key Quotes from the Episode “Copying and pasting from samples they find on the Internet robs you the opportunity to really take ownership of your business and to architect it.” Connect with Annette: Your Legal BFF Website Annette's Instagram Follow Annette on Facebook Additional Resources: Need launch coaching and strategy? Check out my Launch Intensives Want to learn the process of launching and join a nurturing community? Get on the waitlist for Fearless Launching  

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

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

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

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

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

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

In this week's episode, I’m chatting with attorney Annette Stepanian all about exactly what it takes to start your business legally. Annette Stepanian is a traditionally educated lawyer and business strategist who equips other creative professionals and small business owners with the legal and business knowledge needed to confidently start and grow their businesses. Combining her passion for law and small business, Annette seeks to make the law practical, approachable, and dare we say it - even a little fun!   (00:00) – Introduction to this episode(01:13) – Introduction to Annette Stepanian(01:46) – Annette’s funny organizing story(05:03) – How Annette ended up where she is right now in her legal career(09:19) – How to know when you have your legal bases covered(10:54) – Why legal stuff feels so scary (14:08) – When is the right time to legalize your business(17:10) – What you should do when you’re ready to start legalizing your business(29:11) – How to approach a local lawyer(37:15) – Episode Wrap-Up   The rest of the show notes can be found at proorganizerstudio.com/blog/legal-advice

When Legally Blonde came out, the world was introduced to the fun side of law. Some say fun & law can’t coexist, but that means they haven’t met Annette Stepanian, a real lawyer who makes the law practical, approachable, and dare we say it – even a little fun. Not only can she lay down the law, but Annette equips other creative professionals and small business owners with the legal and business knowledge needed to confidently start and grow their businesses. Committed to making legal information accessible for small business owners and entrepreneurs, Annette founded Your Legal BFF, your go-to online legal bestie for easy to understand and industry specific contract templates and trainings. Why are contracts important?Kinds of contracts that business owners need who are starting out, hire contractors, do free shoots?What are the Common problems faced by wedding business owners and how to address them in your contracts?When it comes to hiring others, what do owners need to know before you hire help for your business?What are the most common questions from photographers and videographers? CONTRACTS 101, OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW Listener questions:Client lawyers want to make changes to the contract. What do you do? Client wants a full refund and more after getting half of what's promised What is the normal terms in the industry? 25% deposit, balance is 10% before the event? 50% deposit, balance is due on the day of or after the performance? Which one is more reasonable/fair for clients and vendors? Can we incorporate a clause that has the clients give us a select few professional photos? If so, what is a reasonable time Frame to add since photographers work on different schedules for delivery? Questions about business are never easy to come up with because when it does, it’s usually too late. Good thing for us, there are people like you who already provide a resource for business owners in different levels and it’s amazing that you’re willing to share your knowledge with us today, for free! Thank you so much for that. I’m pretty sure the audience appreciates it and I know that there are a lot who would want to know more so if you don’t mind telling them how and where to reach you…Thank you so much for being here Annette and all the best!Learn more at www.annettestepanian.com or www.yourlegalbff.com. Social media links Instagram: www.instagram.com/annettestepanian + www.instagram.com/yourlegalbff Facebook: www.facebook.com/annettestepanianesq + www.facebook.com/yourlegalbffCredits:Want more? Be a patron and get more stuff! https://www.patreon.com/weddingvideobossThe Wedding Video Boss Podcast hosted by Paul SantiagoBossIG: www.instagram.com/weddingvideobossBoffoIG: www.instagram.com/boffovideoWebsite: www.weddingvideoboss.comFor comments & suggestions email me at: weddingvideoboss@gmail.comSpecial thanks to Ning Wong (@NingWongStudios) for the sexy headshotMusic credit Isaac Joel - Azophi and Isaac Joel - Clavius from www.SoundStripe.com

In this episode of the Modern Creative Podcast we chat all about contracts, why they're important for your creative business, and who needs them with Annette Stepanian, Your Legal BFF. We also answer your legal questions during a Q+A. Favorite gem from Annette in this episode: “Make that commitment and decision to treat this as truly a business versus a hobby. And if it's a hobby, great, but if you're going to be in business, be in business.” Contact Annette: Website GDRP episode mentioned during Q+A here. Helpful resources + templates from Annette: Let's Get Down To Business Training: https://annette-stepanian.mykajabi.com/a/9001/5hRS4cFa Website Terms + Privacy Policy: https://annette-stepanian.mykajabi.com/a/8988/5hRS4cFa Other contract templates: https://annette-stepanian.mykajabi.com/a/9006/5hRS4cFa Get 50% off your first year of Honeybook: http://share.honeybook.com/themoderncreative Contact us at: themoderncreativepodcast.com instagram.com/moderncreativepodcast Contact Joyce: joycechristine.com instagram.com/_joycechristine Watch the FREE business training: https://joycechristine.com/masterclass-pod Contact Dianuh: chasinglinen.com instagram.com/dianuhaerin Music by Joakim Karud youtube.com/joakimkarud

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Annette Stepanian, Your Legal BFF, is THE lawyer for creatives and the only person I turn to for all my legal needs for my business. Her contract templates are a great way to make sure you are protecting your booty without breaking the bank.   In this episode we discuss a ton of topics, including using systems to help you with your contracts, why using a template for your contracts is so valuable, and how she’s using different systems and workflows in her own business to help her both be productive and have a comfortable work/life balance.   Grab your contract template: Contract Templates for Creatives*     TOOLS DISCUSSED: Contract Templates for Creatives* Asana HelloSign DocuSign AislePlanner Dubsado*    YOUR PERMISSION SLIP: “You are your most valuable asset. You should protect that asset.” - Annette Stepanian   I give myself permission to protect my most valuable asset, myself.   CONNECT AFTER THE SHOW: -Annette- Website: www.annettestepanian.com or www.yourlegalbff.com Office Talk Podcast  Contract Templates for Creatives* IG: @annettestepanian Puppy IG: @travelerandedison    -Chelsea- Website CBF Workshops Shop Instagram   *affiliate link(s) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/chelseabfoster/support

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

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

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is "a legal framework that sets guidelines for the collection and processing of personal information of individuals within the European Union (EU)." But what does that mean for small businesses throughout the world? In this episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with attorney Annette Stepanian who is giving us the low down on what GDPR means, if it applies to us, and what we need to do to make sure we're in compliance.  About our guest:  Annette Stepanian is an attorney who helps creative professionals and entrepreneurs lay a legal foundation for their business. Through her Office Talk podcast, done-for-you contract templates, online trainings and one-on-one services, Annette seeks to make the law practical, approachable, and dare we say it – even a little fun. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Annette's background and how she's helping creative businesses with all things legal The basics of GDPR and who it applies to What information small businesses should be inventorying when it comes to consumer data Why you should be removing data you don't need on a regular basis The importance of privacy policies and terms of service on your website Fines for non-compliance Want to connect with Annette? On the web: https://www.annettestepanian.com/  Instagram: @annettestepanian Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annettestepanianesq Contract Templates Website Terms of Service & Privacy Policy Templates Legal 360 Live Office Talk Podcast GDPR episode from Office Talk podcast

Joining me on the show today is Annette Stepanian! Annette is an attorney and business strategist who equips other creative professionals and small business owners with the legal + business knowledge needed to confidently start and grow their businesses. After 5 years of practicing litigation at a national law firm in San Francisco, she took a leap of faith and started her own creative business. Today, through one-on-one services, contract templates, online training and her Office Talk podcast, Annette strives to make the law practical, approachable, and dare I say it – even a little fun. In this episode, Annette and I cover how to set yourself up for success legally when writing your business contract + the biggest pitfalls she sees in the wedding industry (and how you can avoid them). She also answers the commonly asked question of what to do when a client wants to make changes to your contract. Resources Mentioned Annette Stepanian's Website Office Talk Podcast Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest Sponsors Gifyyy Booth Freedom Edits -   I have covered your first order…yep, it's FREE.

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

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

In this week’s episode, we’re shaking things up a little bit! It’s a new flavor of episodes that I’m bringing you and it’s with my friend and fellow podcast host, Annette Stepanian. If you don’t know Annette she’s the brilliant and talented host of Office Talk. Annette has become a great friend over the years and we've worked together multiple times. She's been a guest on the podcast in Episode 32 and she's my go-to for contracts in my creative businesses.  The other day we were having an amazing chat (it lasted over an hour because I can't shut up) and we realized that we needed to share our conversations with you. We suspect that so many of you can relate to some of the struggles and revelations that both she and I have experienced during our time as business owners! About once a month you can expect to hear these talks, which we’re calling Chit Chat with Annette and Kinsey. It’s totally casual and super chill – just two girlfriends chatting about business, life and everything in between. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE Who you really need to listen to as your business evolves How to tell if what you’re doing might just be a “sophisticated form of procrastination” You’re not a business owner without sales, and here’s how to reframe the sales process… Why you shouldn’t be searching for a formula for building a business and what to do instead What’s is the real reason that many people aren’t completing online courses they purchase Why creating seasons for yourself is such a great strategy for accomplishing what you want to do CONNECT WITH ANNETTE AT: Website: https://www.annettestepanian.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annettestepanian/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annettestepanianesq   RESOURCES WE TALKED ABOUT: What did you think of this episode? Let me know on Instagram! Mariah Coz & Megan Mins, Femtrepreneur The Pumpkin Plan & Profit First by Mike Michalowicz Marie Forleo & Amy Porterfield StrengthsFinder The Renaissance Soul by Margaret Lobenstine

Annette Stepanian is an attorney and business strategist who equips other creative professionals and small business owners with the legal and business knowledge needed to confidently start and grow their businesses.  After practicing litigation at a national law firm in San Francisco for over five years, she took a leap of faith and started her own creative business. Today, through one-on-one services, contract templates, trainings and her Office Talk podcast, Annette strives to make the law practical, approachable, and dare we say it – even a little fun. Learn more at www.annettestepanian.com.  What You'll Learn in this Episode: How Annette went from Big Law to starting a jewelry business, then to starting her own practice  How taking a break from the law has helped her find her ideal clients and tailor her legal services to that ideal community,  How she created legal products such as a podcast, webinar and legal templates to answer some of the needs of her ideal clients.   Resources: Annette's podcast – The Office Talk    Contact Information:   Website: www.annettestepanian.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/annettestepanian/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annettestepanianesq Twitter: https://twitter.com/annetteesq Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/annetteesq/ Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/annettestepanian     Thanks for Checking Out the Show Notes and for Listening! I really hope you enjoyed this episode. I would really appreciate it if you shared this episode with a friend who could benefit from listening to this particular episode.   Also, please don't forget to subscribe to the GWL Podcast in Apple Podcasts or in Stitcher Radio. That way, every time I prepare a new episode for you, it'll automatically show up in your phone. Once last thing: I would truly appreciate it if you could leave an honest review for The Gen Why Lawyer Podcast in Apple Podcasts. Positive ratings and reviews help boost the visibility of the show and help me in reaching more lawyers.

This week I sat down with attorney and business strategist, Annette Stepanian. Annette Stepanian is an attorney and business strategist who equips other creative professionals and small business owners with the legal and business knowledge needed to confidently start and grow their businesses. After practicing litigation at a national law firm in San Francisco for over five years, she took a leap of faith and started her own creative business. That experience lead her to what she does today. Combining her passion for law and small business, Annette seeks to make the law practical, approachable, and dare we say it even a little fun. Learn more at www.annettestepanian.com. HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE: The biggest misconception people have about the law and lawyers, especially when it comes to running a business. Whether it’s better to work with an attorney or go the DIY online route and for what situations. The first (and most important) step when entering into a contract with another party. The role an attorney can play in contract reviews. The fine print matters. Why it’s important to read and understand what you’re asking for or committing to in any contract that you’re signing. Contracts are negotiable. Don’t commit or shy away from something without having a conversation. The importance of establishing “the trifecta” from day one for your business. How to identify times you should be reaching out to an attorney. Things to be look for when identifying a lawyer to work with. Traits and qualities to look for when identifying a lawyer to work with. Do you need to have a lawyer on retainer or are there other fee structures? Questions to ask when interviewing a lawyer to work with. How often and why you should sit down and review your contracts. Links We MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: Annette’s website Mary Beth’s interview on Office Talk Annette’s podcast: Office Talk

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

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

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

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

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

In this episode of the Marketing in Yoga Pants Podcast, Brit interviews Annette Stepanian, your Legal BFF and Host of the Office Talk Podcast. Annette is a lawyer for entrepreneurs, making law and business easy to understand and practical so you can confidently start and grow your dream business. Learn how she is combining her passion for law and small business to teach other creative professionals and entrepreneurs how to streamline and law a proper legal foundation for their business.

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

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

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY TO THE OFFICE TALK PODCAST! This podcast has been a passion project for me and I'm beyond thrilled that we've made it a full year together. I've got some exciting things planned for the podcast in the next year that I think you’re going to love. In this new episode, I thought it would be fun to take a look back on some of the lessons I’ve learned this past year about myself and my business. Some were inspired by conversations I’ve had with guests on this show, and others I’ve learned along the way. In fact this season, I’m going to be sharing more of these insights on the podcast. So here we go. To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented  nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

One of the first investments you need to make when you’re running a business is a solid set of contracts. But which ones do you need and why?  In this episode, I’m sharing with you the four essential contracts that business owners should have when running a business. I’ll explain what they are and why they matter.  Do you have all of them? Listen to the episode to find out if you’ve got your booty covered! To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/podcast/26   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented  nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

If you operate a business with any types of programs, products, courses and other offerings, you may have considered running some sort of affiliate program to recruit others to help share the news. But before you starting recruiting affiliates, there are a few things to consider before paying referrals to affiliates in exchange for sales those people bring you. In this episode of the Office Talk podcast, I’ll walk you through a few of the best practices to consider when implementing an affiliate program for your business.       To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian. Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential. The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

On this episode of Office Talk, I’m answering a question I receive quite a lot when I speak to event and wedding planners.  You see, since event planners are often busy executing and designing the event, there isn’t something tangible left for them to include in their portfolio. That’s why they rely on photographs to help showcase their work and promote their business and services to others. So the question becomes…. Is there a way for wedding and event planners to legally require clients to contractually agree to provide them with access to professional images after the wedding? If so, how do they go about asking for permission? I’m sharing the answer in this week’s Legal Quickie episode!    To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented  nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

When you get a glowing review from a customer, don’t you just want to shout it from the rooftops? Of course you do! As a business owner, you may want to use such reviews and testimonials to help promote and market your products and services. It’s no wonder that you’d want to use these testimonials in your marketing. According to one survey: “[Online customer] reviews are very impactful. The vast majority of participants who have seen reviews claimed that that information did impact their buying decisions. This was true of both positive reviews (90%) as well as negative reviews (86%).” Well - surprise, surprise - there are rules about the right way to use testimonials in your marketing. And in this episode of Office Talk, I’m breaking down what you need to know before you do!   To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented  nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

Are you a blogger who receives free products or payment in exchange to share a review about that product on let’s say your Instagram account or your blog?   Or maybe you’re an online business owner and you participate in affiliate programs where you promote another company’s products and in exchange you receive a commission for each sale that you refer. If you’re getting paid to create content promoting another company’s products or services, then today’s Office Talk podcast episode is for you. In it, I’m sharing four things the FTC wants you to know before you endorse another company’s product or service. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE Who needs to make disclosures and why When to make disclosures What your disclosures should say How to make effective disclosures when you’re using social media, your website or video to endorse a company’s products or services And more…       To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented  nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

When was the last time you took a red pen to your contracts to spot formatting mistakes? Ummmmm….. probably never. Well, believe it or not, minor errors in formatting can make a BIG impact on the way your contracts are interpreted. In this Legal Quickie episode, I’m sharing three common formatting mistakes you’re probably making with your contracts. The good news is they are super easy to fix. So grab a copy of your contract (or if you don’t have one, check out the templates offered on the website), get your red pen, and have a listen to this episode. To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented  nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

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

I was curious to know what you guys are struggling with in your business. So I recently got on the phone (yeah - the actual phone… remember that?) and spoke to dozens of folks to find out the answer to this question.  In this week’s podcast episode, I’m having a heart-to-heart with you and sharing some of my observations from those conversations including the three things that are holding us back in business. To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented  nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

Today I’m speaking with Annette Stepanian, a lawyer for entrepreneurs and creatives. The topics we’re talking about aren’t sexy or flashy, but they are absolutely essential for business owners to think about NOW, before something happens. This is about protecting you, and your business, and about how to be smart as you grow. Have no worries, Annette is breaking it all down on this episode of The Mind Your Business Podcast! In this episode you’ll learn: As business owners, we have a responsibility to proactive when it comes to legal issues The first steps you should take (and some common mistakes made by entrepreneurs) There are special considerations for online businesses versus brick and mortar ones Your biggest asset is your content – protect it and don’t infringe on content belonging to others! Which actions you can take if someone has stolen your intellectual property, and the mindset I have around this issue Why a contract is a necessity, especially for entrepreneurs with service-based companies Independent contractor or employee? Classifying wrong can be an expensive mistake… The decision on becoming an LLC is a personal one that you don’t need to rush!

I’ve heard it all. Lawyers are intimidating. They’re so unrelatable. They don’t understand me or my business. And they’re so darn expensive. These are the common complaints I hear from folks about working with a lawyer. And let’s not forget all the bad lawyer jokes too…. Well, I’m spilling the beans. In this episode, I’m sharing what you need to know before you hire a lawyer - things like fee structures, costs, questions you need to ask - as well as breaking down the law into the five topic areas you need to be thinking about as you start and grow your business. To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented  nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

Do your eyes glaze over when you read about insurance policies? Of course they do! I haven’t met anyone for whom that’s not the case. Even Nikki Luby, who works in commercial insurance at Excelsure, admits that insurance isn’t the most interesting of subjects. It’s more a necessary evil. In this legal quickie episode, Nikki breaks down the basics of insurance and what you really need to help you cover your booty—without putting you to sleep with all the insurance jargon! WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE The two main insurances that every business needs What kind of insurance you need if you work from home How to save money on insurance policies What to look for in choosing an insurance provider How to determine the insurance limit you need to protect yourself Catch the full show note at www.annettestepanian.com/podcast/23 Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

Are you a social media influencer?   A YouTube rockstar?     Are you making waves on Instagram?   Do you want to turn that digital content you’re creating into profits?     Then you’ll want to listen to this episode with Ellie Altshuler, an entertainment and fashion attorney.   In this Legal (not-so) Quickie episode, Ellie and I talk about our best tips for legally protecting your brand.   To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/podcast/28   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented  nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

Today we’re talking about a topic that doesn’t get discussed a whole lot but is UBER important to get a handle on… ...the importance of the legal side of paid traffic and running your business. And to share her expertise on the topic is my friend Annette Stepanian, an attorney who specializes in working with entrepreneurs. I asked her to come on to the show because this is one of those topics that not a lot of people talk about yet is so important to know as an entrepreneur, a business owner, someone who creates programs or products, if you run paid traffic like Facebook ads, etc... It's not the sexiest of topics, I realize, but too often the importance of it pops up when it's too late and you're in a bind.   So that's my goal here for you today -- to educate and share the types of things you should be thinking about in your paid traffic and running a business. Here’s what you’ll learn: The critical “legal” things you need to think about when you're running paid traffic.  And, for example, why just abiding by Facebook's ad policies isn't enough. How NOT to use testimonials in your business (if you do use them this way, you can get into legal trouble). What the difference is between a Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, why you need them and where to get them The difference between trademarking and copywriting and how they can benefit you with your business, products and programs, etc... Annette breaks down the differences between being a Sole proprietor, an LLC, and a Corporation, and the pros and cons of each for your business structure. And, we also dive into the TOP questions you should ask before hiring a lawyer. And a whole lot more... Super important episode here talking about this stuff.

One of the first investments you need to make when you’re running a business is a solid set of contracts. But which ones do you need and why?  In this episode, I’m sharing with you the four essential contracts that business owners should have when running a business. I’ll explain what they are and why they matter.  Do you have all of them? Listen to the episode to find out if you’ve got your booty covered! To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/podcast/26   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented  nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

Do you have an online course? Or do you have one brewing in that beautiful brain of yours? As online course creation has become more popular over the years, I’ve been getting more and more questions from clients about what they need to be doing to protect their course content and your business. (Yup - even having an online course has legal implications.)  In this Legal quickie episode, I’m breaking down some of the  legal stuff you ought to be thinking about before you hit “publish”on your online course. Find complete show notes at: www.annettestepnian.com/podcast/24. Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented  nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

You’re a multi-passionate entrepreneur - which means that you’re always coming up with the next great business idea.     So if you’ve been looking for a way to form a formal legal entity to house all those ideas, you might be wondering “Can I have multiple companies under one LLC?”   I’m answering this listener question in this week’s episode.   To learn more and get the show notes, visit: www.annettestepanian.com/officetalk   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented  nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

Click here to tune in on iTunes!Ever wonder what you really need legally to set yourself up as an online entrepreneur?Join Mona Lisa as she asks Annette - a mala-wearing attorney and business strategist for entrepreneurs - how to legally set your business up for success.The interview includes information on:What contracts you absolutely need to have as a coachHow to set up your business in your cityLLCs vs. Sole Props vs. Corpsand much more...!To grab your free contract review checklist and learn more about Annette, visit www.annettestepanian.com/join. IT-Annette

When I first started the podcast, one of the reasons I wanted to interview others in business was to learn how they were designing a business and life on their terms. After all, it was only a few years ago that I took the leap to leave a cushy and secure job to begin a journey of redesigning my own life in a way that worked for me.   In this episode of Office Talk, I’m talking to Heather Crabtree, founder of the Savvy Community about her own journey from law, to running her own event planning business, to what she does today - helping other female entrepreneurs build successful businesses.   In this honest conversation, Heather reveals what her journey has really been like. Hint - it’s not always what it looks like from the outside. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE How Heather went from law, to running an event planning business, to the founder of the Savvy Business Owners’ Community where she teaches female entrepreneurs how to run a successful business How the loss of a family member has shaped her perspective about life and business How she’s been designing her business to make sure it fits with her life, not the other way around If you think she’s an overnight success, well here’s the real story The “‘old fashion values” that are still working in business Things to consider when transitioning from a solopreneur to building your team Why she started the Savvy Business Owners Facebook Group and what she attributes to the success of growing the group What’s next for the Savvy Business Owners’ community   Full show notes available at www.annettestepanian.com/podcast/21   © 2017 Annette Stepanian

FULL SHOW NOTES & RESOURCES Today on the show I'm thrilled to welcome Annette Stepanian. Annette is an attorney for creative entrepreneurs who uses her legal background to provide services, contract templates, free education and so much more to wedding pros and beyond.  Our conversation today is all about The 5 Contracts You Need in Your Wedding Business. A few of them may surprise you! We work in a people-centric business and although, in general, everyone is amazing it is always a good idea to have certain documents signed and in place to help to help protect everyone and their businesses.  Annette is really doing a deep dive today and goes into the WHY + HOW of contracts. You can find Annette on her website here. Join the conversation!

Join Meghan Maydel as she sips on Biltmore white wine and chats with Annette Stepanian who poured herself a GIANT glass of red wine. Seriously, the glass was the size of her head. While we’re on the topic, first things first. Meghan would love you for forever if you would leave a review (which you can […] The post BB 004: Red Wine with Annette Stepanian appeared first on Meghan Maydel.

Now that you’re running your own business, from time to time you may decide to bring on additional help. Or maybe you’re ready to hire someone to assist you right from the outset.  The laws surrounding hiring can get quite complicated, to say the least. In this Legal (not-so) Quickie episode, I’m sitting down with Lonnie GIamela, a partner at the labor and employment law firm of Fisher & Phillips and we’re diving into the most common questions that come up when you’re ready to hire. Even if you’re not planning on hiring anytime soon, you’ll still want to have a listen so when the day comes - and trust me, it will - you’ll have a good understanding of the issues you need to address before you say “you’re hired.” To learn more visit: www.annettestepanian.com/podcast/20   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented  nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.  

Ever wondered - do I really need to file a trademark? And at what point in my business should I consider registering my mark with the US Patent and Trademark Office? In this Legal Quickie episode of Office Talk, I’m sharing with you not only what a trademark is, but when you should be thinking about protecting your marks by registering it with the US Patent and Trademark Office. Have a listen - it’ll take less than six minutes - promise! To learn more visit: www.annettestepanian.com/podcast/17 Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented  nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

You've done all this work for a client and now you find yourself chasing down your client for payment.  If you worry about ever finding yourself in this situation, then listen to this episode.  Here's what you'll learn: What to do after you client fails to pay you ​The differences between litigation (including small claims court), mediation, arbitration and the pros/cons of each The questions to ask yourself before you draft a dispute resolution clause in your contract  To learn more, visit the show notes at www.annettestepanian.com/podcast/15   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian.  Neither receipt of information presented  nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential.  The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

If you've ever wondered - "Do I really need all that legal jumbo at the end of a contract?" then listen to this episode to find out the answer. To learn more visit - www.annettestepanian.com/podcast   Disclaimer: This content is for your educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring an attorney. It does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between you and Annette Stepanian. Neither receipt of information presented nor any email or other electronic communication submitted or received will create an attorney-client relationship with Annette Stepanian. Any information that you provide by reason of your use of this content is not privileged or confidential. The law varies from state to state and based on the individual facts. Therefore, the information in this presentation may not work for your specific situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney authorized to practice law in your local state or jurisdiction.

I'm beyond thrilled to officially (and finally) unveil the OFFICE TALK podcast. This has been something I've been thinking about doing for over a year and a half now.  I finally decided "What am I waiting for? The time is now." Can we say #paralysisbyanalysis? SO WHAT'S THE PODCAST ALL ABOUT? The podcast won't be all about the law - I know how much you were looking forward to that {wink}. Rather, I'll be sharing the stories of some game-changing entrepreneurs who are designing a business and life on their terms. My journey as an entrepreneur has been full of conversations with other business owners and experts that were chock full of such insight - that I wanted to pass those lessons along to you.  But because I'm a lawyer, you'll get some Legal Quickie episodes too. These will be short episodes answering some frequently asked questions I get about law and business, or offering you some initial insight I've learned.  For more info - visit www.annettestepanian.com/podcast