Podcasts about legal road map

•  Matthew Fornaro offers advice to those striking ot on their own  Thinking of starting your own small business?  Better get out the legal maps, that is, the legal advice you'll need to avoid problems down the road.  Matthew Fornaro is a business attorney whose Florida practice is aimed at helping smaller businesses.  In this episode of Bizgnus Interviews, Mr. Fornaro offers advice from his more than 20 years of running a small business that serves small business. Before starting his law firm, he was an attorney at two large law firms focusing on civil litigation. He is a member of the Florida Bar and the District of Columbia Bar.  For more information: https://fornarolegal.com/

Autumn Witt Boyd and I have known each other since the beginning of both of our businesses. Autumn has been my go-to for my legal needs and I work with her for their CFO-related concerns. For those of you who don't know, Autumn Witt Boyd is an experienced lawyer. She helps coaches and course creators reach their big goals faster and smarter. Together with her team at the AWB firm, she helps online businesses understand, protect, and enforce their rights with sophisticated business and intellectual property strategies. They offer plug and play and cost-effective legal protection with their customizable contract templates.  But most of all, Autumn is a trusted advisor whom entrepreneurs can rely on for practical, and proactive, advice when they need it.  Autumn also hosts Your Legal Roadmap® podcast, which teaches business owners about the legal issues they may face as they grow a profitable and sustainable business, why they're important, and how others in their shoes have handled them. So, why are we sharing a conversation with Autumn today? You might say, "I've got a free contract template from an internet search I did so-and-so years ago. It works. I'm all good." Or "GDPR doesn't affect how I do business online." OR even, "My business is too small to even need legal protections." I hear you, but that's not exactly a safe, scalable, and sustainable way to run a company. Not saying you will get sued, but there's definitely a risk here. You don't ever want to be in that dire situation before considering getting yourself, your team, your clients, and your business legal coverage. After all, 'Prevention is better than... getting dragged to court over a contract you cobbled together from Google!" Now, I know that for most entrepreneurs, conversations around finance and legalities often top the list of topics to avoid. It feels scary because you're not sure where to start. From a non-lawyer's perspective, there's very little information on the repercussions of not having the proper legal protections in place. And so, I thought that having an actual legal expert like Autumn here on the podcast would help ease some of that confusion. (PS - Autumn doesn't speak in law jargon, so you don't have to worry!) You'll learn a lot, so don't forget to tune in, friend!  You have to think like a lawyer here for a minute and think about where things could go wrong in your business. - Autumn Witt Boyd What you'll learn in this episode: How Autumn Witt Boyd transitioned from working in a traditional law firm to building and running her own firm How hiring your own team helps you build your confidence and understand other potential risks that comes with owning a business Autumn Boyd's process for managing her numbers in her business and how that knowledge empowers her as she scales further How AWB Firm guides entrepreneurs through that discomfort of needing to hire legal experts The importance of contracts & why business owners need it What are the legal needs of entrepreneurs with six-figures, seven-figures, and even eight-figure businesses Autumn Boyd shares her insight on the use of legal templates - who are they for, how it can protect your business, and to what extent Links mentioned in this episode: Legal Road Map® podcast Planning for 2021 financial success with Stephanie Skryzowski (S5E168) How to write your own contract

If you listen to just one episode of the Legal Road Map® podcast, let this be it. In the final episode - at least for the foreseeable future - Autumn shares takeaways from the past 5 years of running her own law firm, what all online business owners need to know about legal protection to build a sustainable, profitable business, and more. In this episode, we’ll cover: How entrepreneurship can help you live your values Why putting legal protections in place early can help you build the business of your dreams faster and with less stress (One last time for the cheap seats in the back!...) Why contracts are THE most important legal protection for your online business Why you DON’T need to spend money on ALL the legal things when you’re just getting started Why -- and when -- you should add an attorney to your bench of professionals to build a sustainable, profitable business BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at https://www.awbfirm.com/podcast171! Resources mentioned in this episode: Season 1 of the Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/blogs/news/tagged/start-here Season 5 of the Legal Road Map® podcast - legal for each business phase episodes: https://awbfirm.com/podcast120 https://awbfirm.com/podcast121 https://awbfirm.com/podcast122 https://awbfirm.com/podcast123 Prep to Scale™ FastTrack:  https://awbfirm.com/fast-track This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

We love helping our clients get their legal house in order, but sometimes when we introduce a new service, contract template, or marketing initiative at the AWB Firm, we have to be our own lawyers, too! We recently hosted our very first 5 day list building challenge that brought up some questions around our terms and conditions, protecting a potential new trademark, rules for giveaways and contests, and more. In this episode, we’ll cover: What you need to make sure you have on your website, so your Facebook ads won’t get rejected Why you should use website terms and conditions for your course or challenge, even if it’s not required by law The easy (and free!) ways you can begin to protect your intellectual property without having to spend lots of dollars on an official trademark or copyright registration How to make sure your giveaways or contests don’t break any laws BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at https://www.awbfirm.com/podcast170! Resources mentioned in this episode: Prep to Scale™ FastTrack:  https://awbfirm.com/fast-track Legal Road Map® podcast episodes about Facebook ads: Episode 102:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast102 Episode 124:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast124 Episode 125   https://awbfirm.com/podcast125 USPTO website:  https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-application-process/search-trademark-database This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

If you’ve been in business for any amount of time, you’ve probably heard about (or seen firsthand) the value in building your email list. No matter how large a following you may build on a social media platform, that following isn’t owned by you - it’s owned by the platform, and they can change who sees your content on a dime.  But an email list? That’s all yours! And it can be a great way to get to know your audience and them, you. But with all the talk about Privacy Policies, GDPR, cookies, and more, how are you supposed to build your list and stay out of legal trouble? In this episode, we’ll cover: Why email lists have become increasingly valuable in online business Who has to comply with the EU’s GDPR privacy regulations What you need to know about cookies on your website Why you shouldn’t make promises, especially about earnings or weight loss, in your list building freebies or opt-ins Whether or not you need to include an affiliate disclaimer if you’re promoting someone else’s list building challenge BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at https://www.awbfirm.com/podcast169! Resources mentioned in this episode: AWB Firm 5 day Prep to Scale™ challenge:  https://awbfirm.com/challenge Prep to Scale™ FastTrack:  https://awbfirm.com/fast-track Jasmine Star’s free Instagram challenge:  https://jasminestar.com/join-my-free-instagram-challenge/ Ask by Ryan Levesque:  https://askmethod.com AWB Coaching quiz:  https://awbfirm.com/coaching-quiz Amy Porterfield’s list building challenge:  https://www.amyporterfield.com/growmylist Corinne Crabtree’s free weightloss course: https://pnp411.com Privacy Policy contract template:  https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/website-privacy-policy-for-u-s-businesses-gdpr-compliant GDPR guide: https://awbfirm.com/gdpr Legal Road Map®  podcast episodes about GDPR: Episode 38:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast38 Episode 39:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast39 Episode 40:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast40 Episode 38:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast83 Legal Road Map® podcast episode 164:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast164 This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Planning for next year is in full swing. You may be planning new products or services, epic launches, new training series, and more. And you’re probably also working on your budget with line items all geared toward helping you facilitate those rollouts. While most people forget to add legal into the budgeting equation at all, the good news is that you may need way less than you think, depending on your unique stage of business. In this episode, we’ll cover: What you might want to skip legally when you’re just getting started Why you should definitely update your contract every time you uplevel or change the way you work with clients  How you can start protecting your trademarks and copyrights even before you register them What you should plan to protect with your first custom contract Which lower risk activities you can likely still use a contract template for, even if you’re in a more advanced stage of business The revenue threshold that marks when you should absolutely when you should absolutely sit down for a legal audit of your business with a lawyer  BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at https://www.awbfirm.com/podcast166! Resources mentioned in this episode: Contract template store: https://awbfirm.com/contract-templates Episode 120 of the Legal Road Map® podcast (Launch Phase): https://awbfirm.com/podcast120 Episode 121 of the Legal Road Map® podcast (Solopreneur Phase): https://awbfirm.com/podcast121 Episode 122 of the Legal Road Map® podcast (Success Phase): https://awbfirm.com/podcast122 Episode 123 of the Legal Road Map® podcast (Scale to CEO Phase): https://awbfirm.com/podcast123 Legal Road Map® Facebook group: https://facebook.com/groups/legalroadmap Episode 91 of the Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/podcast91 Episode 49 of the Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/podcast49 Episode 37 of the Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/podcast37 This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Most everyone I know will not shed one single tear when it’s time to bid 2020 farewell. We’re all ready for a new year and a new start after everything that’s been thrown at us this year. But there’s still plenty of opportunity to run a successful year-end promotion in your business. Going through a launch, running a challenge, or doing a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale is stressful enough when everything goes right - not to mention when something goes wrong (like your FB ads account gets disabled, no one shows up to your webinar, or you can’t get your ads approved for your sale). In this episode, we’ll cover: The Facebook ad basics you need to know (especially if your ads keep getting denied) How to break through noise and offer fatigue to make your year-end promotion a success What people are really tired of in 2020 Ways to structure your year-end promotions for maximum engagement New Facebook ad limits that are rolling out soon BONUS: If this episode has spotlighted areas of your business’s website that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your it’s in good shape legally. Download our legal for websites  checklist to make sure your website won’t drag your year-end promotion down at www.awbfirm.com/podcast163! Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 124 of the Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/podcast124 Privacy Policy contract template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/website-privacy-policy-for-u-s-businesses-gdpr-compliant Episode 125 of the Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/podcast125 This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Online courses are quickly becoming one of the most popular points of entry to the online world. They can cover nearly any topic and the online format makes them accessible to a broader audience.  Online courses can be a lot of work to put together with many moving parts ranging from copywriting to video editing, which is all the more reason you want to be sure you put the proper legal protections in place. In this episode, we’ll cover: How to safeguard your business against chargebacks or refund requests How to be sure using social proof (testimonials) from your raving fans won’t land you in legal hot water Why you should use Terms & Conditions for your online course website (even if not required by law) What you need to know about intellectual property ownership when you work with independent contractors who may create graphics, copy, etc., for your course The tricky business of using affiliates to promote your course, plus how you can make things a little less risky for your course business Why it’s so important to make sure no one else is already using the name you choose for your course The differences between ™, ®, and © and where you may want to start using them in your course BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at www.awbfirm.com/podcast159! Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 90 of Legal Road Map® podcast:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast90 Your Legal Course - FREE masterclass:  https://awbfirm.com/course Online Course Creator bundle:  https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/online-course-creator-bundle GDPR-compliant Privacy Policy template:  https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/website-privacy-policy-for-u-s-businesses-gdpr-compliant Terms & Conditions contract template:  https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/website-terms-conditions-of-use-with-disclosure-policy Episode 71 of Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/podcast71   This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

The words you write help business owners sell their products or services like hotcakes. Word of mouth is starting to do its thing and you’ve got a waitlist of people dying to have you write copy for their emails, sales page, or website. So how do you make sure you grow your copywriting business legally? Do you really need to form an LLC or get business insurance? And how do you make sure you’re protected when (not if!) your relationship with a client gets sticky? In this episode, we’ll cover: How a solid proposal can really make or break a copywriting gig Why you really need both a proposal and a contract The essential information your contract should always include What a “pause clause” is and why you should consider including it in your contract How you can use ownership of rights to your work as leverage if you’re not getting paid The essential legal documents you need to be sure are on your website The must-have contract to use if you start growing your team with one or more independent contractors Whether you need to form an LLC or worry about insurance in your copywriting business BONUS:  If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at www.awbfirm.com/podcast151! Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 147 of the Legal Road Map® podcast for branding and graphic designers: www.awbfirm.com/podcast147 Client Proposal template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/client-proposal-template Website documents bundle: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/website-pages-bundle Independent Contractor agreement template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/independent-contractor-contract-template Creative Service Provider bundle: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/creative-service-provider-bundle  Client Agreement contract template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/client-contract-template This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Do you ever wonder when the day will come that the po-po shows up at your door because you did something wrong with your business? Now y'all know I'm a proud law school dropout who still loves watching old episodes of Judge Judy. I’m ALLLLLL about the people's court. *Can I get a witness!*Law will always be in my blood so that’s why I’m excited to jump into this conversation with Autumn Witt Boyd about how to set up your business legally. In this episode, you’re going to hear all about: Trademarking NegotiatingAcquiring domain names Handling contracts The side hustle clause Creating a clear terms and conditionsHiring a lawyer Raise your right hand and repeat after me: I *state your name* am SOOOOO ready to start protecting my business and planning for my future so J* doesn’t have to come and post my bail. Remember you are under oath… so click play to get this courtroom party started! For those of you who enjoyed this episode I would love for you to show some love by writing a review for the Jasmine Star Show so I can continue helping you and your fellow business owners out!

When you’re just starting out, it’s easy to let legal fall to the bottom of the priority pile. It can be much more exciting to work on your branding or website, or work up some new product ideas. But if you skip a few basic protections now, it could lead to big problems later.  In this episode, I walk through the three actions I think every business owner should take before making their first $5k.  (And, even if you’ve already crossed the $5k mark, don’t skip this one - you might learn about an important legal protection you haven’t tackled yet!) How going to the worst case scenario can help your contracts provide the greatest protection in your business Negotiating contracts (hint: they’re not set in stone!) Why protecting yourself from chargebacks is one of the first things you’ll want to do in your business What documents you need to make sure your website has from day one Why you SHOULDN’T worry about registering a trademark before you reach $5k What you SHOULD do before you choose a business or product name to set yourself up for later success BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or coronavirus has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation!  Resources: The AWB Firm Contract Template Store: www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates Episode 71 of the Legal Road Map® podcast on trademark searches: www.awbfirm.com/podcast71 USPTO trademark search: http://tess2.uspto.gov This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. When you’re just starting out, it’s easy to let legal fall to the bottom of the priority pile. It can be much more exciting to work on your branding or website, or work up some new product ideas. But if you skip a few basic protections now, it could lead to big problems later.  In this episode, I walk through the three actions I think every business owner should take before making their first $5k.  (And, even if you’ve already crossed the $5k mark, don’t skip this one - you might learn about an important legal protection you haven’t tackled yet!) How going to the worst case scenario can help your contracts provide the greatest protection in your business Negotiating contracts (hint: they’re not set in stone!) Why protecting yourself from chargebacks is one of the first things you’ll want to do in your business What documents you need to make sure your website has from day one Why you SHOULDN’T worry about registering a trademark before you reach $5k What you SHOULD do before you choose a business or product name to set yourself up for later success BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or coronavirus has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation!  Resources: The AWB Firm Contract Template Store: www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates Episode 71 of the Legal Road Map® podcast on trademark searches: www.awbfirm.com/podcast71 USPTO trademark search: http://tess2.uspto.gov This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

The new AWB Firm website got a facelift recently - if you’ve discovered that your contract isn’t quite doing what you need it to (i.e., protecting you and your business), check out our new contract template shop at www.awbfirm.com. All templates and bundles are 40% off through April 30. No code needed. If you know your way around the business section of your favorite book store, there’s no way you haven’t heard of Autumn’s guest this week: Mike Michalowicz. His simple but powerful business principles are featured in his incredibly popular books Profit First (a personal favorite), The Pumpkin Plan, Clockwork, and his newest release Fix This Next. In this interview, Mike shares his experience with growing multiple large and small businesses, navigating licensing deals, dealing with copycats, litigation, and more. In this episode, we’ll cover: The importance of taking deliberate action in your business, not just any action Why more is not always better when it comes to legal for your business How Mike has used licensing to spread and teach his business principles to more people Mike’s advice to business owners about how to pivot during COVID-19 Smart communication tips you can use right now Resources: Mike’s website: www.mikemichalowicz.com Mike’s Recession Response website: www.recessionresponse.com Fix This Next: https://mikemichalowicz.com/fix-this-next-book/ This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. Worried about the legal blindspots that may be lurking in your business? The AWB Firm can help! We start every VIP Day with a Legal Road Map® session, but you can schedule this session separate from a VIP Day too. One of our experienced attorneys will take a one-hour deep-dive into your business and provide you with a report of recommended steps personalized for your business. And you’ll be confident you’re not missing anything essential now, and you’ll learn what you might need to do later. For more info or to book your Legal Road Map® session, visit https://awbfirm.com/legal-road-map-session

We all need to hear a success story sometimes to feel inspired, and this story might just be the one for you. Hustle & Flow guest, Autumn Witt Boyd, started out in a traditional lawyer path, but once she started a family, she decided it was time to explore a different career path. After taking a deep-dive into her career and what brought her the most happiness, Autumn decided to start her own law firm designed specifically for online businesses. Listen as Autumn shares her path to success and the many road bumps she navigated along the way. Things we’re covering in this episode: - How to hit goals to earn high-end clients - Making decisions related to the creative side of business - Diversification of the work that Autumn provides to her clients - Running a successful business and raising children - Managing a virtual team - Interested in contacting Autumn? You can get more information on her law firm’s website: www.awbfirm.com . Listen to her podcast, Legal Road Map. Get It Done Membership If you enjoyed the free week-long Get it Done Challenge, you’re going to love our new membership challenge. The membership challenge began on April 12th and you have the option to join for a quarter, year or bundle price. This quarter’s challenge is only open through April 15th so be sure to join now! Go to www.getitdonechallenge.com to learn more and sign up. Links Mentioned: https://awbfirm.com/ https://awbfirm.com/blogs/news https://www.facebook.com/AutumnWittBoyd/ https://www.instagram.com/autumnwittboyd/ The Desire Map by Danielle LaPorte https://www.chalenejohnson.com/ https://www.amyporterfield.com/ 

Putting together an online course is a huge undertaking. There are so many moving parts - writing copy, sourcing or creating images/video, making sure your tech is working, marketing + sales, and more. I’m tired just thinking about it!  If you’re not careful, all of those pieces can take you away from the parts of your business that are making you money now, and you’ll start out at a deficit before your course even launches. So what can you do to ensure your online course enables you to create more income, instead of draining the success you have already created? In this episode, we’ll cover: How paying commission to your affiliates can still help you exponentially increase your overall sales - and profit! The importance of using an affiliate agreement with all affiliates How outsourcing certain parts of creating your online course can actually end up saving you money in the long run Why it’s so critical to always use a contract when hiring an independent contractor Autumn’s tips to keep making sales of your course, even when you’re not launching BONUS: Are you stuck Googling the answers to what you need legally, and what’s just a good idea to have, before launching your online course? Head to www.awbfirm.com/podcast128 to get free access to my masterclass The 3 Legal Protections Your Course Business Is Probably Missing to make sure your online business is digital course-ready.  Resources: Micro Famous, Matt Johnson: https://www.amazon.com/MicroFamous-Become-Famously-Influential-People-ebook/dp/B084ZGWVHJ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=how+to+become+microfamous&qid=1582889149&sr=8-1 AWB Firm Contract Template Store: www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. Worried about the legal blindspots that may be lurking in your business? The AWB Firm can help! We start every VIP Day with a Legal Road Map® session, but you can schedule this session separate from a VIP Day too. One of our experienced attorneys will take a one-hour deep-dive into your business and provide you with a report of recommended steps personalized for your business. And you’ll be confident you’re not missing anything essential now, and you’ll learn what you might need to do later. For more info or to book your Legal Road Map® session, visit https://awbfirm.com/legal-road-map-session

If you rely on Facebook or Instagram ads to make sales in your business, losing your ads account is probably one of your biggest nightmares. A shut-down account could cripple your next launch and have a serious effect on your bottom line.  I’m sharing juicy stories from online business owners who have dealt with this super frustrating situation, and, in several cases, what they were able to do to get their accounts reinstated. The good news is, if you understand the rules and regulations for ads accounts, you can (in most cases) avoid having your account shut down. In this episode, we’ll cover: Steps you can take if you think your account has been flagged or shut down by mistake Why your ad’s landing page is just as important as the content in your ad itself Which kinds of keywords in your ads or other content will increase your chances of getting shut down How a ‘final’ determination from Facebook isn’t always final BONUS: By now, you now know you need a Privacy Policy on your website or landing page to make sure your ad is approved, but what other documents do you need to include? Head to www.awbfirm.com/podcast125 to download our free website documents checklist to make sure your website or landing page isn’t missing anything that might cause your ad to be rejected.  Resources: Get a Privacy Policy (and other website documents) in the AWB Firm Contract Template store: www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates FB Ads Policies: https://www.facebook.com/policies/ads/ FB Community standards: https://www.facebook.com/communitystandards/ This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. Worried about the legal blindspots that may be lurking in your business? The AWB Firm can help! We start every VIP Day with a Legal Road Map® session, but you can schedule this session separate from a VIP Day too. One of our experienced attorneys will take a one-hour deep-dive into your business and provide you with a report of recommended steps personalized for your business. And you’ll be confident you’re not missing anything essential now, and you’ll learn what you might need to do later. For more info or to book your Legal Road Map® session, visit https://awbfirm.com/legal-road-map-session

If you’re in the Success Phase of business - your business is stable, you’re making consistent revenue you and others depend on (from $50,000 to low six-figures) and you’ve built a team  - this episode is for you. Learn some expensive mistakes you could be making in your business, whether you’re a done-for-you service provider, a coach, or a course creator.  And even if you’re still in the earlier Launch Phase or Solopreneur Phase, or in a later phase of building your business, you’ll want to tune in to make sure you’ve taken care of your legal basics, or get an idea of potential problems that lie ahead. In this episode, we’ll cover: Why it’s important to distinguish between independent contractors doing ongoing work for your business and those who just handle a one-time project How misclassifying a worker can be one of the most expensive mistakes you make Why it’s absolutely essential to use a written agreement when you’re collaborating with another business or individual The one trademark you need to register once you reach the Success Phase BONUS: Success Phase Entrepreneur Checklist -- head to www.awbfirm.com/podcast122 to learn about what can go wrong legally as you enter the Success Phase of your business, and simple actions you can take now to avoid costly problems later, in our Success Phase Entrepreneur Checklist.  We’ll be releasing a brand-new legal checklist for each phase of your business building journey, free with every episode this month! Resources: Previous episodes about working with contractors and employees the right way:Legal Road Map® episode 91 - www.awbfirm.com/podcast91 Legal Road Map® episode 49 - www.awbfirm.com/podcast49 Legal Road Map® episode 37 - www.awbfirm.com/podcast37 Legal Road Map® podcast archives (all episodes) - www.awbfirm.com/podcast This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. Want to make sure your business is protected but working one-on-one with a lawyer just isn’t in the budget? Our customizable contract templates are a great, affordable way to get protection for yourself and your business without breaking the bank. Shop our selection of contract templates for online businesses and protect your business today! Visit www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates.

If you’re in the Solopreneur Phase of business - your business is no longer a baby, you’re making revenue you depend on (up to $50,000) and you’re still the one doing all the things  - this episode is for you. Learn some expensive mistakes you could be making in your business, whether you’re a done-for-you service provider, a coach, or a course creator.  And even if you may still be in Launch Phase, or in a later phase, you’ll want to tune in to make sure you’ve taken care of your legal basics, or get an idea of potential problems that lie ahead. In this episode, we’ll cover: Why the Solopreneur Phase is a really great time to take care of legal (even if it seems too early) How your website might not be covered legally if you’re missing specific documents required by law Why it’s so critical to protect your primary revenue stream at this stage How to avoid common client problems, like:  Non-payment Scope creep Refund requests Ghosting in the middle of a project Disputes about who owns the work product Firing a nightmare client Copycats Flaking on payment plans, or  Causing drama in your community or group BONUS: Solopreneur Phase Entrepreneur Checklist -- head to www.awbfirm.com/podcast121 to learn about what can go wrong legally as you enter the solopreneur phase of your business, and simple actions you can take now to avoid costly problems later, in our Solopreneur Phase Entrepreneur Checklist.  We’ll be releasing a brand-new legal checklist for each phase of your business building journey, free with every episode this month! Resources: Legal Road Map® Episode 81: www.awbfirm.com/podcast81 Contract templates: www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. Worried about the legal blindspots that may be lurking in your business? The AWB Firm can help! We start every VIP Day with a Legal Road Map® session, but you can schedule this session separate from a VIP Day too. One of our experienced attorneys will take a one-hour deep-dive into your business and provide you with a report of recommended steps personalized for your business. And you’ll be confident you’re not missing anything essential now, and you’ll learn what you might need to do later. For more info or to book your Legal Road Map® session, visit https://awbfirm.com/legal-road-map-session

If you’re starting or growing your business in 2020, my guess is you don’t know half of the things that can go wrong legally in your business.  All season, we’re talking about dreaming + scheming, and the expensive legal pitfalls you’ll want to avoid in each stage of starting, building, and scaling your online business.  If you’re in Launch Phase of business - maybe you still have a day job while you get started, or you’re full-time but still getting your business off the ground - this episode is for you. (Even if you’re further along in business, you might find that you still need to button up some of the legal issues I discuss in this episode!) In this episode, we’ll cover: Why launch phase is the perfect time to create a strong foundation for your online business If you need to form a corporate entity when you’re in launch phase Why it’s important to check that no one’s using the name you want for your business before you get started Why you probably don’t need to worry about registering your trademark in launch phase If you need to have a contract for any collaborations when you’re just getting started Why it’s essential to make sure you keep your business and personal expenses separate Why using other people’s intellectual property (i.e., images, music, etc.) is one thing you absolutely want to avoid when you’re just getting started What is perhaps the most important thing to remember in launch phase Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast120 for show notes. BONUS: Launch Phase Entrepreneur Checklist -- head to www.awbfirm.com/podcast120 to learn about what can go wrong legally as you launch your business, and simple actions you can take now to avoid costly problems later, in our Launch Phase Entrepreneur Checklist.  We’ll be releasing a brand-new legal checklist for each phase of your business building journey, free with every episode this month!   Resources: Legal Road Map® episode: LLC vs. corporation for your online business www.awbfirm.com/podcast108 Legal Road Map® episode: Making partnerships and collaborations successful  www.awbfirm.com/podcast35 This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. If you’re so in love with your course, product, or business name that you’re ready to say “I do”, it’s probably time to register your trademark. The AWB Firm can help! Clients love our seamless process and flat-fee pricing (i.e., no surprise bills for you!). If you’re ready to learn more or get started, visit www.awbfirm.com/trademark-copyright.

Learn what trends we’re seeing with our 7+ figure online business owner clients for 2020. In this episode we’ll cover: The benefits of a membership or subscription model, that go beyond recurring revenue What's coming up with live events - and how you can use photos or video of your in-person event to promote the next one Why you might want to niche even further when it comes to your online course Why you might want to offer done-for-you services alongside your online course Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast119 for show notes. Resources:  Legal Road Map® podcast: interviews with Corinne Crabtree - www.awbfirm.com/podcast34, www.awbfirm.com/podcast88 Legal Road Map® podcast: interview with Kara Loewentheil - www.awbfirm.com/podcast92 Legal Road Map® podcast: interview with Tara McMullin - www.awbfirm.com/podcast79 Legal Road Map® podcast: Affiliate episodes - www.awbfirm.com/podcast95, www.awbfirm.com/podcast97 BONUS: What’s your contract missing? Get your hands on our FREE resource to help you write solid contracts: The 5 terms I think every contract should include. www.awbfirm.com/5terms  If you’re so in love with your course, product, or business name that you’re ready to say “I do”, it’s probably time to register your trademark. The AWB Firm can help! Clients love our seamless process and flat-fee pricing (i.e., no surprise bills for you!). If you’re ready to learn more or get started, visit www.awbfirm.com/trademark-copyright.   This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Does the idea of working with a lawyer make your palms sweat? If you’ve never worked with a lawyer, it just might!  Learn what it's really like to hire our firm to help with your legal needs, from start to finish.  You'll hear about the entire process, and why working a lawyer doesn’t have to be scary. In this episode we’ll cover: Why we ask potential clients to fill out a questionnaire before we provide a quote for a particular project Why it's best to work with a lawyer who specializes in the area of law you need help with The steps we take before we can start on a client project to ensure success Why, even when you've got a lawyer on your side, you’re still responsible for making the final decision Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast118 for show notes. BONUS: What’s your contract missing? Get your hands on our FREE resource to help you write solid contracts: The 5 terms I think every contract should include. www.awbfirm.com/5terms  Worried about the legal blindspots that may be lurking in your business? The AWB Firm can help! We start every VIP Day with a Legal Road Map® session, but you can schedule this session separate from a VIP Day too. One of our experienced attorneys will take a one-hour deep-dive into your business and provide you with a report of recommended steps personalized for your business. And you’ll be confident you’re not missing anything essential now, and you’ll learn what you might need to do later. For more info or to book your Legal Road Map® session, visit https://awbfirm.com/legal-road-map-session   This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

We kept hearing from our clients that they didn't have time to get legal projects done.   So we created a solution tailor made for online business owners with the least amount of time, who still want to protect their business. In this episode we’ll cover: What the AWB Firm’s Legal VIP Day looks like: a 360-degree overview of the entire experience How you can get more legal projects done in less time The value of having white space on your calendar - for legal AND non-legal projects How blocking off an entire day to focus on legal for your online business can actually be FUN!   Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast114 for show notes. BONUS: get your hands on our FREE resource to help you write your contracts: The 5 terms I think every contract should include: www.awbfirm.com/5terms  Resources:  Legal VIP Day: www.awbfirm.com/VIP-day Worried about the legal blindspots that may be lurking in your business? The AWB Firm can help! We start every VIP Day with a Legal Road Map® session, but you can schedule this session separate from a VIP Day too. One of our experienced attorneys will take a one-hour deep-dive into your business and provide you with a report of recommended steps personalized for your business. And you’ll be confident you’re not missing anything essential now, and you’ll learn what you might need to do later. For more info or to book your Legal Road Map® session, visit https://awbfirm.com/legal-road-map-session    This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Learn how you can protect your online course with trademark and copyrights and what recourse is available to you if you discover someone is copying all or part of your course. In this episode we’ll cover: The roles that trademark and/or copyright protections can play in helping you avoid copycats The frustrating limitations of copyrights What ‘trade dress’ is and how it might apply to your website or online course How strong terms of use on your website is your first line of defense The importance of registering your copyrights if you want to be able to defend them Why (immediate!) screenshots are your best friend if you see your content being copied Key takeaway: Imitation in the online course world doesn’t always feel like flattery. If you put the right protections in place early on, you have a strong leg to stand on when it comes to dealing with copycats. Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast112 for show notes. BONUS: get your hands on our FREE resource to help you write your contracts: The 5 terms I think every contract should include: www.awbfirm.com/5terms  Resources:  Legal Road Map® podcast, Episode 110 (How to use other people’s content in your course): www.awbfirm.com/podcast110 Legal Road Map® podcast, Episode 99 (Copyrights for course creators): www.awbfirm.com/podcast99 Have you poured your heart and soul into creating an online course? How upset would you be if one of your students copied some or all of your course content and tried to sell it as their own? Perhaps a more important question: how upset would you be with yourself if you didn't have an agreement in place that expressly prohibits your students from doing something like this? Our Legal Road Map® to Protect Your Online Course contract template bundle can help you lock down your course content in the time it takes you to catch a few episodes of your latest Netflix binge.  To buy your bundle and start protecting your online course today, visit www.onlinecourselegal.com/yes   This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Learn the best ways to avoid landing in hot water (copyright or trademark infringement) when you use other people’s content in your online course. In this episode we’ll cover: The 3 best ways to be able to use other people’s content legally  What the “public domain” is and how to navigate it The risky business of using images you find on Google (spoiler: just don’t do it!) The tricky side of using images from and on social media platforms What “fair use” is Key takeaway: Best practice is always to create your own content, but with a little legal legwork and know-how, it can be possible to use other people’s content in your online course or business, the right way. Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast110 for show notes. BONUS: get your hands on our FREE resource to help you write your contracts: The 5 terms I think every contract should include: www.awbfirm.com/5terms  Resources:  Cornell University public domain chart: https://copyright.cornell.edu/publicdomain Worried about the legal blindspots that may be lurking in your business? The AWB Firm can help! Clients love our Legal Road Map® session. One of our experienced attorneys will take a one-hour deep-dive into your business and provide you with a report of recommended steps personalized for your business. And you’ll be confident you’re not missing anything essential now, and you’ll learn what you might need to do later. For more info or to book your Legal Road Map® session, visit https://awbfirm.com/legal-road-map-session  This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Learn when you absolutely SHOULD register a trademark for your online course name and when you can likely wait. In this episode we’ll cover: How to decide if now is the time to register your trademark How trademark law is really designed to protect consumers (as well as your business) The downsides of relying on common law trademark rights What enforcing your trademark rights really looks like in your business How a registered trademark can increase your business's value when it comes to sell your business or license your course, method, or process When you may NOT want or need to register your trademark Key takeaway: A registered trademark is the best way to shut down a copycat, but there are some important questions to ask yourself to make sure it’s the right time for your business. Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast106 for show notes. BONUS: get your hands on our FREE resource to help you write your contracts: The 5 terms I think every contract should include: www.awbfirm.com/5terms  Resources:  Episode 99 of the Legal Road Map® podcast - Copyrights: www.awbfirm.com/podcast99 Episode 104 of the Legal Road Map® podcast - Choosing a Good Course Name: www.awbfirm.com/podcast104 If you’re so in love with your course, product, or business name that you’re ready to say “I do”, it’s probably time to register your trademark. The AWB Firm can help! Clients love our seamless process and flat-fee pricing (i.e., no surprise bills for you!). If you’re ready to learn more or get started, visit www.awbfirm.com/trademark-copyright. This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Learn what makes a strong trademark, how-to DIY your trademark search, and what to steer clear of when choosing a name for your digital course. In this episode we’ll cover: The different types of trademarks and the pros and cons of each What a suggestive trademark is and why it may be the best route to go when choosing your course name What a descriptive trademark is and why it’s the most difficult to register What’s required to register your own name as a trademark Ways you can DIY your trademark search Key takeaway: A legal checkup before you run FB ads can mean the difference between a super successful campaign and throwing money down the drain. Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast104 for show notes. BONUS: get your hands on our FREE resource to help you write your contracts: The 5 terms I think every contract should include: www.awbfirm.com/5terms  Resources:  FREE Naming Guide: www.awbfirm.com/podcast104 Episode 45 of the Legal Road Map® podcast - How to DIY Your ™ Search: www.awbfirm.com/podcast45 USPTO search: https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-application-process/search-trademark-database Namechekr: https://www.namecheckr.com/ Have you poured your heart and soul into creating an online course? How upset would you be if one of your students copied some or all of your course content and tried to sell it as their own? Perhaps a more important question: how upset would you be with yourself if you didn't have an agreement in place that expressly prohibits your students from doing something like this? Our Legal Road Map® to Protect Your Online Course contract template bundle can help you lock down your course content in the time it takes you to catch a few episodes of your latest Netflix binge.  To buy your bundle and start protecting your online course today, visit www.onlinecourselegal.com/yes    This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Learn the important role courses have played in Rick Mulready building his online business. In this episode we’ll cover: The importance of validating the concept of your course before investing your time and money to create it Why you need to be sure your user experience is ready to go before running Facebook ads How documenting your processes and procedures early on can help you grow your team and business Why you should review Facebook’s ad policies monthly if you’re running ads The importance of using contracts with an ads expert or manager Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast103 for show notes. BONUS: get your hands on our FREE resource to help you write solid contracts: The 5 terms I think every contract should include. www.awbfirm.com/5terms  Resources: Rick Mulready: https://rickmulready.com Rick’s Accelerator Mastermind: https://rickmulready.com/accelerator The Art of Paid Traffic podcast: https://rickmulready.com/category/aoptpodcast/ Rick’s Instagram: @rickmulready Loom: www.loom.com Working with professionals in your business podcast episodes: Legal Road Map® episodes 41-44, www.awbfirm.com/podcast If you’re so in love with your course, product, or business name that you’re ready to say “I do”, it might be time to register your trademark. The AWB Firm can help! Clients love our seamless process and flat-fee pricing (i.e., no surprise bills for you!). If you’re ready to learn more or get started, visit www.awbfirm.com/trademark-copyright. This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Learn how the legal health of your business can affect how you run Facebook or Instagram ads, or even if they’re approved. In this episode we’ll cover: Why you’ll want to check out Facebook’s ad policies before you start working on your ad images or copy What FB checks out when you submit an ad for approval How your site’s privacy policy (or lack thereof) can affect your ad approval What you need to know about intellectual property when it comes to FB ads Things you may be required to disclose in connection with your FB ads Key takeaway: A legal checkup before you run FB ads can mean the difference between a super successful campaign and lighting hundred dollar bills on fire. Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast102 for show notes. BONUS: get your hands on our FREE resource to help you write your contracts: The 5 terms I think every contract should include: www.awbfirm.com/5terms  Resources:  Contract template store: www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates Worried about the legal blindspots that may be lurking in your business? The AWB Firm can help! Clients love our Legal Road Map® session. One of our experienced attorneys will take a one-hour deep-dive into your business and provide you with a report of recommended steps personalized for your business. And you’ll be confident you’re not missing anything essential now, and you’ll learn what you might need to do later. For more info or to book your Legal Road Map® session, visit https://awbfirm.com/legal-road-map-session  This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Learn what copyrights can protect when you should register them, and the benefits EARLY copyright registration provides. In this episode we’ll cover: The types of content that can be protected by copyrights Why facts and ideas aren’t protectable by copyrights (and what you actually can protect instead) Why the automatic protection provided by U.S. copyright law isn’t as great as it sounds The extra benefits of registering your copyrights, and registering them early Who owns the copyrights when you create a work as an employee or an independent contractor Who can use the © symbol, and how you should be using it the right way What type of business should hire a copyright attorney to register their copyright, and who can probably DIY the process Who can use © and how you should be using it Key takeaway: Copyright protections are automatic under US law, but you can’t enforce them without taking the time to file a registration. Best practice for your online course is to register them early! Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast99 for show notes. BONUS: get your hands on our FREE resource to help you write your contracts: The 5 terms I think every contract should include: www.awbfirm.com/5terms  Resources:  U.S. Copyright Office: www.copyright.gov Legal Road Map® podcast, episode 8 on fair use: www.awbfirm.com/podcast8 Contract template store: www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates Legal Road Map® to Protect Your Online Course contract template bundle: https://onlinecourselegal.com/yes/ Legal Road Map® Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/legalroadmap/ Worried about the legal blindspots that may be lurking in your business? The AWB Firm can help! Clients love our Legal Road Map® session. One of our experienced attorneys will take a one-hour deep-dive into your business and provide you with a report of recommended steps personalized for your business. And you’ll be confident you’re not missing anything essential now, and you’ll learn what you might need to do later. For more info or to book your Legal Road Map® session, visit https://awbfirm.com/legal-road-map-session  This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Scalability expert Haley Burkhead shares how she’s grown her online business to a half-million dollar brand in just 12 months, plus some tough legal lessons learned (yes, hackers are a real thing!) In this episode we’ll cover: Automation in your business and how it can help you prevent burnout The vital importance of communicating with and listening to your audience Why handling PR nightmares with grace will serve you better than the alternative Why you don’t necessarily need to grow your audience before you launch a course or affiliate program The importance of being selective when approving affiliates to promote your products or services Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast96 for show notes. BONUS: Head over to www.awbfirm.com/course for instant access to our brand new, free masterclass, 3 Legal Protections Your Course Business is Probably Missing, and our legal checklist for course creators (plus you'll be the first to know when new episodes are live). Worried about the legal blindspots that may be lurking in your business? The AWB Firm can help! Clients love our Legal Road Map® session. One of our experienced attorneys will take a one-hour deep-dive into your business. And you’ll be confident you’re not missing anything essential now, and you’ll learn what you might need to do later. For more info or to book your Legal Road Map® session, click here!   Resources: Haley’s FREE training: profitplanner.co/grow This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

You’re a busy entrepreneur, and you *probably* can’t handle every single task it takes to create a successful online course.  You'll likely need to enlist the help of graphic designers, copywriters, videographers, and more to complete your online course. But how do you make sure your working arrangement, and your content + brand!, are protected? In this episode you’ll learn: Why you MUST use a contract with your independent contractor The most important thing you need to look for if you use your independent contractor’s agreement instead of sending your own If you can include a non-compete clause in your independent contractor agreement The one term you definitely should include in your own independent contractor agreements Key takeaway: Working with independent contractors to create a successful online course can be a breeze if you take the time to consider the terms of your agreement with them. BONUS: Head over to www.awbfirm.com/course for instant access to our brand new, free masterclass, 3 Legal Protections Your Course Business is Probably Missing, and our legal checklist for course creators (plus you'll be the first to know when new episodes are live). Resources: Legal Road Map® Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/legalroadmap/?ref=br_rs Legal Road Map® to Protect Your Online Course contract template bundle: www.onlinecourselegal.com Individual contract templates: www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Today I’m talking with lawyer Autumn Witt Boyd all about creating contracts that protect you and your clients. Autumn and I had worked together on a contract for my own business and so I was excited to bring her on to talk about her process and some tips for creating contracts that protect you and your business while still making sure that your clients get the best deal possible. The goal of your contract is that you can both be confident that you would be protected if something were to happen and how that makes it so much easier to work while knowing you have a contract to back you up. Autumn Witt Boyd is an experienced lawyer who helps high-achieving and ambitious business owners reach their big goals, faster and smarter. Autumn guides creative entrepreneurs with big dreams as they grow from one-person-shows to bigger deals and collaborations. She has special expertise in copyright and trademark issues. Autumn also hosts the Legal Road Map podcast, which teaches business owners how to protect their rights and stay out of legal hot water. She lives in Chattanooga, TN with her husband Dave, twin boys Sam and Tyson, and daughter Vivian. Topics Discussed: Why a contract is the most important legal protection for your business Why your contract should protect both you and your client Your first contract should be a client agreement How you can create a basic contract yourself starting out and why you should The most important things to have in your contract with a client Why your contracts should be strict upfront to allow you room to make decisions based on circumstances in the future What to do if someone wants you to sign their contract How to create a contract that protects you and your client Use your previous experience to create a contract that serves your business based on the issues you’ve had in the past How to communicate the benefits of a contract to your clients Why a contract gives you freedom to do your best work Other contracts you may need in your business The steps to take if you need to enforce a contract Resources Discussed: Being Boss Podcast Contract Templates Tara Gentile The Magicians Being Boss Clubhouse Connect with Autumn: Website Facebook Facebook Live Videos Legal Road Map Podcast

If you’re running an online business, it’s highly likely that you’re collecting some form of personal information from your website visitors. But do your visitors know what happens to their data once they’ve given it to you? In this episode, you’ll learn: When you must have a privacy policy on your website What your privacy policy needs to include Extra steps you need to take if you’re collecting information from children under 13 Where your privacy policy must be present on your site post-GDPR What GDPR penalties are being handed out, almost one year after the new rules went into effect Key takeaway: Whether your business must comply with GDPR or not (odds are it does!), the trend is that privacy regulations are becoming more stringent across the board. Taking simple steps to comply now can prevent you from having to implement an expensive fix down the road. Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast83 for a transcript and show notes. BONUS: Head over to www.awbfirm.com/course for instant access to our brand new, free masterclass, 3 Legal Protections Your Course Business is Probably Missing, and our legal checklist for course creators (plus you'll be the first to know when new episodes are live). Resources: FREE download - Website Documents Guide: www.awbfirm.com/podcast81 Privacy policy + GDPR guide: www.awbfirm.com/podcast83 GDPR in-depth episodes of the Legal Road Map® podcast: www.awbfirm.com/podcast38, www.awbfirm.com/podcast39, www.awbfirm.com/podcast40 Running list of GDPR enforcement actions as of February 2019: http://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/x/777680/Data+Protection+Privacy/GDPR+Enforcement This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

When should you run (not walk) to submit your trademark registration application? Learn when waiting to register a trademark can be a huge mistake. In this week’s episode you’ll learn: How the level of investment behind your business or product can determine whether a registered trademark is a necessity How long it takes to receive a trademark registration certificate from the USPTO The advantages of “intent to use” applications in US trademark law When you can use the ® and TM symbols How a registered trademark can make your licensing or certification program more valuable to your licensees Why a registered trademark can make your business more attractive to potential buyers When a registered trademark in the US can help you obtain a foreign trademark if you plan to sell products or services internationally Key takeaway: If your business is up-leveling in a major way, a trademark registration becomes a necessity, not a nice-to-have. Since the registration process is not quick, working with a trusted legal advisor who specializes in trademark law can help you plan ahead. Visit https://awbfirm.com/vimeo-video/podcast75/ for the video version and www.awbfirm.com/podcast75 for the audio version of this podcast episode. While you're there, sign up for a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit worksheet. You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This is the final episode of Season 3.Don't worry, Season 4 will launch on April 1, 2019 with loads of valuable information for online course creators and new interviews with top online course business owners. In the meantime, we'll be releasing  interviews from the archives you may have missed the first time around. Stay tuned! Resources Legal Road Map® episode 68: www.awbfirm.com/podcast68 Legal Road Map ® episode 71: www.awbfirm.com/podcast71 Legal Road Map ® episode 31: www.awbfirm.com/podcast31 Legal Road Map ® episode 32: www.awbfirm.com/podcast32 Legal Road Map ® episode 33: www.awbfirm.com/podcast33 This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Finding out someone else has registered a trademark you’re using in your business can really sting. But so long as you started using it first, not all is lost. In this week’s episode you’ll learn: What winning the race means when it comes to trademarks and defending your rights What the “opposition period” is and why it is crucial to monitor the USPTO Gazette if you’re relying on common law trademark rights How a cease and desist letter may stop a similar trademark application in its tracks When the USPTO will actually deny a trademark application for a similar trademark without you lifting a finger How challenging a trademark that’s the same as or similar to yours after a certificate has been granted can be more difficult, but not impossible Why, in order to defend your trademark rights, you have to actually be using your trademark Key takeaway: Challenging an application for a trademark that’s the same or similar as yours is not an area of legal you want to DIY. Consulting with a trusted legal advisor who specializes in trademark law is the best way to defend your trademark rights and prevent brand or product confusion. Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit worksheet.  You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). Next week is the final episode of Season 3 of the Legal Road Map®  podcast, all about when you must  register a trademark. I'm so excited to bring Season 4 to you - it's all about legal for course creators - so be sure to stay tuned! Additional Resources: Get your ALL ACCESS PASS for the Online Course Success Summit, classes will be live Feb. 11-22: http://awbfirm.com/ocss/ USPTO Official Gazette, published weekly: https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/official-gazette/trademark-official-gazette-tmog This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Hashtags are everywhere these days. It may seem appealing to register one that you use in your business as a trademark, but is it even possible? In this week’s episode you’ll learn: How to figure out if you’re really using a hashtag as a trademark Why using your hashtag outside of social media may help you protect it as a trademark The downsides to registering your trademark with a hashtag instead of just the words Why a registered trademark hashtag is really difficult to enforce Key takeaway: It takes some special circumstances to make the time and effort needed to register a hashtag as a trademark worth it. Consulting with a trusted legal advisor ahead of time can help you determine if you’re ready to take on the task or not. Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast73 for a transcript and show notes, and sign up to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit worksheet.  You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). Resources: Get your free ticket NOW for the Online Course Success Summit, classes will be live Feb. 11-22: http://awbfirm.com/ocss/ This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Did you know that a federally registered trademark isn’t the only form of trademark protection available?  There are actually three levels of protection in the U.S. trademark system -- common law, state law registration, and federal (USPTO) registration. While common law or state trademarks may work for some businesses, there are some significant downsides to each. In this week's episode you’ll learn: What a common law trademark is, and the limited rights this type of trademark provides The drawbacks to relying solely on a common law trademark Which types of trademark you can use the ® and ™ symbols The benefits to filing a federal trademark registration The protections provided by a state trademark registration The downsides of relying solely on a state trademark registration Key takeaway:  There are a few different levels of trademark protection offered on the state and federal level, as well on a common law basis. Which one is best for your business depends on multiple factors. It’s a good idea to consult with a trusted legal advisor to make sure you’re protected in the right ways and places for your business. Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast for a transcript and show notes, and sign up to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit worksheet.  You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). Resources Get your free ticket NOW for the Online Course Success Summit: http://awbfirm.com/ocss/ This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

This week I sat down with lawyer and entrepreneur, Autumn Witt Boyd to discuss how to start and scale a business. Autumn is an experienced lawyer who helps ambitious and creative business owners reach their big goals. Together with her team at The AWB Firm, Autumn guides online and e-commerce businesses as they grow. She has special expertise in copyright and trademark issues, and her firm offers full-service legal support to creative businesses. Autumn also hosts the Legal Road Map® podcast, which teaches business owners how to protect their rights and stay out of legal hot water. She lives in Chattanooga, TN with her husband Dave, twin boys Sam and Tyson, and daughter Vivian. HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE: The importance of understanding your purpose when building a business The reality of the first few years of entrepreneurship Ways to still have an income when launching your business How your network can be your best tool when starting a business Different ways to market your business before you launch How to leverage an assistant in your business When is a good time to bring on an assistant Determining when to have part time vs. full time staff Dealing with the pressures of having a full time employee What to do to remove some of the financial pressure when bringing on a new employee Bringing on an assistant or employee needs to have a WHY behind it Knowing when it’s time to get office space (or upgrade your office space) Other options to look into if you can’t find affordable office space for your business Dealing with increased overhead through the use of office space How to keep the vision of your business moving forward The best reason to evaluate where YOU are lacking when hiring an employee When you’re business takes off, how to control the growth LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: Kendrick Shope Sale School Being Boss Tara Gentile (Tara McMullin) Heather Hubbard Coaching The Legal Roadmap Podcast GET SOCIAL WITH AUTUMN AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE Autumn's Website Autumn’s e-mail Facebook  

Registering a trademark is a lengthy, multi-step process, and it can be tempting to skip the first step of running a trademark search before filing that registration application. But I’m sharing all the reasons why skipping the search is a bad idea. In this episode you’ll learn: What a trademark clearance search is and why you should do one every time you choose a name for a new business, product, or service How you may be able to DIY your clearance search When you still may be able to use a business or product name even if it’s already being used by someone else How a knockout search helps determine what (if any) risks you may face if you apply to register your trademark with the USPTO Why it’s so important to look at trademarks used for products and services that you don’t sell, but are related to what you sell, in a knockout search What a search will tell you about how strong your trademark is, and how hard it will be to defend it if you do receive a trademark registration certificate Key takeaway: Whether you start the trademark search process on your own, or work with a lawyer from the very beginning, one thing is for sure: failing to spend a little time and/or money on a trademark search early can be costly down the road. Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast for a transcript and show notes, and sign up to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit worksheet.  You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Some trademarks are stronger than others. But unfortunately, for a lot of business owners, they only find out their trademark isn’t strong when they’re denied when they try to register it with the USPTO. So, what makes a good trademark? In this episode you’ll learn: Who trademark law is really protecting The four different types of word trademarks, and the pros and cons of each Why sometimes you can use your last name as a trademark, and sometimes you can’t The litmus test for understanding what in your business is or isn’t actually a trademark Key takeaway: Choosing a strong trademark doesn’t have to be difficult. But to avoid heartache down the road, choosing the right name for your business and products early on is always best practice. Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast for a transcript and show notes, and sign up to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit worksheet.  You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Your business is established and thriving. Or maybe you haven’t even earned your first dollar yet. So, WHEN is the right time to register your trademark? In this episode you’ll learn: The downsides to waiting to register a trademark Why you may want to register a trademark for your product before you start selling The ONE question to ask yourself to determine if you’re ready to register your trademark How often you should take inventory of your business’s IP to evaluate what trademarks you have, and whether it’s time to register Why failing to defend your trademark rights could result in your losing them Key takeaway: Deciding on the right time to register your trademark depends on a lot of different factors in your business. But asking yourself the right questions will help you determine when you should register. Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast for a transcript and show notes, and sign up to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit worksheet.  You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

We talk a lot about trademarks on the podcast, but you may still be wondering why you would ever need to register a trademark in your business. While it may seem like a hassle, registering a trademark is one of the most valuable protections you can put in place in your business. In this episode I cover: The types of things that can be protected by a trademark How a trademark can set you up for success if you ever decide to expand into other states How a registered trademark can save you time and hassle if you ever have to file a lawsuit around your trademark The advantage to registering your trademark if you do business abroad How a trademark can help prevent counterfeiting The value a registered trademark can add to your business if you ever look to sell or take on investment How registering your trademark shows competitors you mean business Key takeaway: If you’re committed to protecting your business for the long haul, a trademark registration should be on your list for 2019. Additional resources: Legal Road Map® episode 5: www.awbfirm.com/podcast5 Legal Road Map® episode 6: www.awbfirm.com/podcast6 5-minute IP audit: www.awbfirm.com/podcast Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit worksheet.  You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm).

You’ve probably heard you automatically have copyright protection under US law.  But did you know you must register early in order to be able to fully enforce those protections? Sounds tricky, right?  It doesn't have to be! Listen to this week’s episode where I walk you through a copyright audit for your business: In this week’s episode I walk you through planning for 2019 with a copyright audit for your business: The main difference between copyrights and trademarks and where they may overlap What can (and can’t) be protected by copyright in your business Who owns the copyrights if an employee or contractor creates photos, graphics, videos, copy, or other content for you How your contracts can protect your copyrights when you're working with independent contractors The one thing you MUST do in order to take advantage of the rights afforded under copyright law The huge financial benefits to registering your copyrights with the U.S. Copyright Office early, before your work is copied Key takeaway: The key with copyrights is to start thinking about them early on. The sooner you begin locking down your copyrights by registering them, the more your business will be able to shut down copycats. Additional resources: 5-Minute IP Audit worksheet: www.awbfirm.com/podcast Contract template store: www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates

The AWB Firm gets more questions on trademarks than anything else. Trademarks are not only a smart investment to make sure everything you’ve worked so hard to create (your brand) is protected, but they can also be used as a tool to create additional revenue streams. Learn what you should trademark and how to plan for it in 2019. In this week’s episode I cover: The types of things in your business that can be protected by trademark (and those that can’t) Reasons you should consider trademarks for your business Great resources + tips for preliminary, DIY trademark searches An advanced strategy to broaden your reach in 2019 Key takeaway: Even if you’re not ready just yet, taking a few simple steps now can help you prepare to take advantage of trademark protections in your business in 2019. Additional resources: 5-Minute IP Audit worksheet: www.awbfirm.com/podcast USPTO Trademark Search: https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-application-process/search-trademark-database Alternate trademark checker: www.namechekr.com Legal Road Map® Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/legalroadmap/ Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit. You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Working with a lawyer usually isn’t at the top of people’s priority list for their business. But now is a great time to start thinking ahead about the legal needs your business might have in the coming year. You can start getting your business ready for 2019 now by: Performing a quick audit and updating your contracts if needed (including those on your website!) Taking inventory of the content you’ve created over the past year to see what you might need to protect with a trademark Adding a budget line item for legal Getting a lawyer’s eyes on your business to see any legal blindspots Considering if you’re ready to have a lawyer on your team long-term through an ongoing retainer arrangement Key takeaway: Being proactive about legal in your business now can help set the firm foundations to prepare it to really take off in 2019. Additional resources: 5-Minute IP Audit worksheet: www.awbfirm.com/podcast Legal Road Map® checklist: www.awbfirm.com/checklist Legal Road Map® session: www.awbfirm.com/legal-road-map-session Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit. You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Kelly Hoey, brings us another superstar guest. Autumn Witt Boyd shares her entrepreneurial journey with us on the Business Builders Show with Marty Wolff and guest host, J Kelly Hoey. Our show is distributed by www.c-suiteradio.comLawyer Autumn Witt Boyd works with creative entrepreneurs with big dreams. Her clients are owners of online and innovative businesses who are already successful, and looking to take their business to the next level. Autumn helps her clients grow, scale, and protect their brand, with copyrights and trademarks. But, what she and her team really love is digging into high level strategy, helping business owners turn all of their crazy ideas into reality. Autumn hosts the Legal Road Map™ podcast, which teaches business owners how to protect their rights with contracts, copyrights, and trademarks, and stay out of legal hot water. She lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee with three crazy kids, two dogs, and a husband who's also an entrepreneur. Learn more about Autumn here: Website: https://awbfirm.com/Legal Road Map™ podcast: https://awbfirm.com/podcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/autumnwittboyd/Twitter: @AutumnWittBoydTo learn more about J Kelly Hoey, go to www.jkellyhoey.co. To learn more about Marty Wolff, go to www.martywolffbusinesssolutions.com and www.contractorsuccession.com.Thanks for listening. You can get all our shows and many other great shows at www.c-suiteradio.com and www.c-suitetv.com. Call or text me at 570 815 1626 with your comments and questions. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Growing a business to the point where it’s producing steady revenue is a milestone accomplishment for any business owner. But what are you doing to protect your revenue stream(s)? And when the time comes to grow your team, how are you making sure that the very things that make your business successful are protected? In this week’s episode I cover the contracts you need in your business to protect revenue and grow your team: The basics to include in a client services contract Why you need to spell out who will own any intellectual property in your contracts Special contract considerations for event planners and for coaches When you need to have contracts in place if you sell a physical product The contracts you need if you do live events, especially if you work with sponsorship Important contract terms for affiliate or referral programs Why you may not want to use Paypal for affiliate payout Which contract to use with your employees to protect your trade secrets Why it’s not a good idea to use both your independent contractor’s and your contract (just pick one to sign) Key takeaway: Hard work pays off for a lot of business owners, but if you’re not using contracts to protect your business, it could all be for nothing. Additional resources: Contract template store: www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates Legal Road Map® podcast episode 12 - www.awbfirm.com/podcast12 Legal Road Map® podcast episode 37 - www.awbfirm.com/podcast37 Legal Road Map® podcast episode 49 - www.awbfirm.com/podcast49 Legal Road Map® podcast episode 50 - www.awbfirm.com/podcast50 Legal Road Map® podcast episode 51 - www.awbfirm.com/podcast51 Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit. You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). If you've realized you're missing a key contract for your business, visit http://awbfirm.com/contract-templates/ to learn more about our customizable contract templates, and sign up for a free worksheet to help you write your own contracts. This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Most businesses these days have a website. With all the online platforms available, it’s easier than ever to DIY this business essential. But one area of your website that you definitely don’t want to DIY is contracts: privacy policy, terms and conditions, disclosures, disclaimers, and more. In this week’s episode I talk about the contracts you need for your website: The one contract every website needs (even though no one will ever read it!) Why just linking to your privacy policy in the footer of your website might not be enough under the EU’s new GDPR laws The best practice contract you should have on your website even though it’s not required How terms & conditions on your website can help if you have to go after a copycat Which industries need to worry the most about including a disclaimer on their website The determining factors for disclosing if you’re being compensated for promoting a product or service Key takeaway: It can be super simple to set up a website these days. But without the proper contracts in place, your website could create legal problems down the road. Additional resources: Legal documents, notices, and disclaimers you must post on your website and what to include (episode 3 downloadable): https://www.awbfirm.com/podcast3 Contract templates: https://awbfirm.com/contract-templates/ Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit. You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

It can be easy to get caught up in the flashier parts of your business,  like selling a course or putting together an affiliate program, but if you don’t protect your business with contracts, you could lose everything you’ve worked for. This week's episode starts my month-long focus on this business essential, covering important items like: A few business scenarios in which you might need a contract (some of these might surprise you!) How a solid contract works wonders for your professional image Why signing a contract is really an act of trust - not the opposite! The five most important things to consider for your contracts A clever tip to get a (mostly) custom contract for your business even if you don’t have a big legal budget The one type of contract that all businesses with a website need Why podcast hosts need contracts Key takeaway: No matter what type of business you run, in order to protect it, you need to be using solid contracts. Protecting everything you’ve worked for now with a contract can prevent devastating consequences down the road. If you've realized you're missing a key contract for your business, visit http://awbfirm.com/contract-templates/ to learn more about our customizable contract templates, and sign up for a free worksheet to help you write your own contracts. Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit. You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

It’s easy to want to check out when you’re ready to sell your business, but making sure you have a team in place to help with a smooth transition is an essential part of the sale process. In this episode I talk about important questions to ask and preparing your team for the sale of your business: Important things to consider when thinking about who will run the business after you sell Terms to have in writing if you plan to stay on after the sale to help with the transition Why you might be required to sign a non-compete agreement Making sure your trade secrets are protected by nondisclosure agreements The right time to let your key employees know about the sale of your business Making sure your employees and independent contractors are appropriately qualified before you sell What you need to know about your independent contractor contracts before you sell Key takeaway: Making a break from your business can be a stressful process, but with the right people and protections in place, you can confidently move on to the next adventure. Additional resources: Contract templates: https://awbfirm.com/contract-templates/ Episode 12: https://www.awbfirm.com/podcast12 Episode 37: https://www.awbfirm.com/podcast37 This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

If you're a business owner, it's easy to get caught up in the month-to-month or year-end numbers. But when it comes to putting a price tag on it, how are you supposed to figure out what your business is worth? I’m joined by Shannon Farr, CPA of Scenic City Consulting, who’s an expert in all things business valuation. Shannon and I talked about the three standard business valuation approaches and more: How to figure out your business's value if it owns a lot of intangible assets (like copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets) Why you might need to do your own due diligence inside your business before the valuation process Why the Income approach is the most popular way to calculate a business's value What you need to do now if you may be looking to sell or take an investor in your business in the future Why it's difficult to compare your small business to other similar businesses in the market Important things to discuss with your CPA if you’re preparing to sell your business How getting an independent valuation is kind of like an appraisal for your business Why you shouldn’t be afraid of business valuation as a small business owner Key takeaway: Business valuation might seem like an avoidable expense, especially if you’re a small business. But placing the right value on everything you’ve worked to build can help you make sure your exit from the business is a positive one, so you don't leave money on the table. Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast60 for a transcript and show notes, and sign up to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit.  You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). Additional resources: Shannon’s company Scenic City Consulting: www.sceniccityconsulting.com Heather Pranitis, Number Nerd Bookkeeping Solutions: www.numbernerdbookkeepingsolutions.com This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Are you thinking about selling or taking an investor for your business? While we hope if you're thinking about selling, it's so that you can retire to the Maldives, whether for good or bad reasons, selling a business can be a stressful process. But a little planning and preparation now can make for smooth sailing when the moment to sell (or invite investment) arrives. In this episode we cover the three main types of transactions and considerations for each: What are the assets and liabilities in your business? An asset sale - and why this can be more complicated than other types of transactions A stock or membership sale - and possible pitfalls A merger - and why getting a CPA or tax expert involved early is crucial when considering a merger Why it’s important to understand what your business actually owns before you start negotiating a transaction or investment (and a free resource to help with this!) Key takeaway: There are many ways to structure a sale or investment transaction. Figuring out what assets and liabilities your business owns with a trusted legal and financial advisor can help you make sure you’re not leaving anything on the table. Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit.  You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). Additional resources: 5 minute IP audit: www.awbfirm.com/podcast This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Learn what to expect during due diligence if you’re looking to buy, sell, or invite investment into your business. In this episode, I talk about what to expect during due diligence, and how you can prepare: Who pays for due diligence? (and why you might want to consider a good faith deposit during negotiations) The important reasons you should use an NDA - nondisclosure or confidentiality agreement The different types of documents you’ll be asked to provide Why you might be required to produce your tax returns or bank statements and other financial records Why you need to make sure that contracts with your key business relationships are in order How protecting your intellectual property now could mean a bigger profit if you decide to sell down the road Key takeaway: Not having your legal house in order can kill a buy/sell or investment deal in an instant. Preparing for due diligence with a trusted attorney and tax advisor can help ensure a successful transaction or agreement. If you need an NDA (nondisclosure / confidentiality) agreement like the one mentioned in this episode, be sure to check out our contract template store: https://awbfirm.com/contract-templates/  Our templates are fully customizable by you and available for immediate download! Additional resources: Legal Road Map® episode 43 with bookkeeper Heather Pranitis:  https://www.awbfirm.com/podcast43 Emily Ramsey with J. Smith Lanier in Chattanooga, risk management and insurance for large or high-risk companies, regardless of your location: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyramsey14/, http://www.jsmithlanier.com/ 5 minute IP Audit worksheet: http://awbfirm.com/podcast Contract template store: https://awbfirm.com/contract-templates/ This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Don’t know where to start getting your creative business legally legit? Hosted by lawyer Autumn Witt Boyd, the Legal Road Map® podcast gives creative entrepreneurs the answers to your copyright, trademark, and business legal questions. Learn how to protect your rights and stay out of legal hot water, so you can confidently build your dream business. Whether you’re just starting out and haven’t done any legal work on your business, or are going through a transition or growth spurt and want to make sure you’re covered, the Legal Road Map® podcast is a great tool to make sure you haven’t missed any key legal protections for your business. Who is this podcast for? Creative business owners with big dreams at any point in your entrepreneurial journey. Who is Autumn? Autumn Witt Boyd has been a copyright, trademark, and business lawyer for more than 12 years and opened her own law office two years ago to work with creative business owners. Most of her clients are online business owners. More information and bio can be found at https://awbfirm.com/about . What will this podcast teach you? You'll learn how to protect your rights and stay out of legal hot water, so you can confidently build your dream business. Each episode will give you a high-level look at the legal protections you may need for your business, that you can either put in place yourself or hire your own lawyer to help with. For example: What contracts should you have? What the heck is a website privacy policy or terms and conditions? What should you protect with a copyright or trademark? Do you need an LLC or should you stay a sole proprietor? What should you do if a copycat steals your photos or content? What’s the right way to respond to a cease and desist letter? When is using someone else’s stuff fair use under the law? How should you hire employees or independent contractors? Season One - 12 episodes: Episode 1 - How legal can protect your business and make you more money Episode 2 - All about contracts, the most important legal protection for creative and online businesses Episode 3 - Every business with a website needs these documents in place Episode 4 - Do I need an LLC or corporation for my business? Plus licenses, insurance, EIN, and taxes Episode 5 - Intellectual Property for your business, copyrights, trademarks, patents and more Episode 6 - Trademark 101, choose a good business or product name and registration explained Episode 7 - Copyright 101, who owns what, plus the huge benefits of registering early Episode 8 - Copyright and Trademark 201, using other people's photos, videos, music and more, legally Episode 9 - Help! I just got a cease and desist letter, what do I do? Episode 10 - Make more money for your business by licensing your content and brand Episode 11 - Dealing with copycats who rip off your content and brand Episode 12 - Hiring contractors and employees the right way, with Ashley Cox of sproutHR Sign up below to get a free 10 Step Checklist to get your business legally legit (plus be the first to know when new episodes are live). This podcast is information not legal advice specific to your situation

Are you considering selling your business, stepping back from it, or thinking of taking on a partner or investment to grow it further? Learn about many steps you can take early on to set yourself and your business up for success down the road when you're ready for an exit, in this month’s series of podcast episodes. In this episode, I cover the legal basics you need to have in place before even thinking about leaving or stepping back in your business: The importance of making sure your contracts are airtight (and a resource to help if you're not sure yours are) Why your contracts need to be regularly revisited, especially if an exit is on the horizon The importance of choosing the right corporate entity Getting a handle on your business's intellectual property assets with an audit or inventory Key takeaway: A little preparation before you’re ready to sell or take on a partner or investor in your business will take time and financial resources.  But if you’re planning to build your business to sell it so you can lounge on the beach with a cocktail in your hand, or take on investment so you can grow your business to the next level, planning for the future now has its benefits. Additional resources: Forbes.com article about Autumn: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyhoey/2018/09/20/podcasting-and-working-with-influencers-is-how-this-attorney-is-scaling-her-practice/#3199465331f5 AWB Firm Legal Road Map® checklist: www.awbfirm.com/checklist Small Business Administration: www.sba.gov SBA checklists: TSBDC Checklist and TSBDC Small Business Orientation Packet Customizable contract templates for online businesses: https://awbfirm.com/contract-templates/ Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit. You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Lewis Howes is an inspiring entrepreneur whose backstory is almost more amazing than the incredible success of his 7+ figure online business. In this case study, I cover how Lewis Howes: Used his area of expertise (sports) to spot a hole in the market and  start building the online business he has today Utilized online and in-person networking to up-level his business Tests online product ideas by selling before creating (and some of the potentially serious legal consequences of doing this) Participates in affiliate marketing in his business, and a few things you MUST know if you earn commissions as an affiliate, too Key takeaway: As the saying goes, “start(ing) before you’re ready” can produce incredible results for some business owners. But you have to make sure all of your necessary legal protections are in place first to avoid any sticky situations down the road. Additional Resources:  Lewis Howes: https://lewishowes.com Lewis’s affiliate page: https://lewishowes.com/resources Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit. You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Michael Hyatt has had a long, successful career ranging from traditional book publishing to the online space he operates in today. He has created and manages an interactive community platform, sells online courses, books, planners, subscription boxes, and runs a high level mastermind along with other live events. He and his business make for a fascinating case study of a robust and multifaceted online business. In this case study of Michael Hyatt I cover: How Michael’s first business went under by growing too fast, and how you can potentially avoid the same mistakes Smart personal liability protections to put in place when starting your business (and why they may not 100% protect you if something goes wrong) How Michael created online training and resource platform by first writing a book If you run a membership or community, what you need to make sure is in your Terms of Use with your customers The special intellectual property considerations for physical products (Michael sells a planner) How to make sure you can use all the great photos you capture at live events in later marketing campaigns Key takeaway: A business with multiple profit centers can present a wide variety of potential legal issues. When you're playing at Michael's level, it's essential to have an experienced attorney who can help you with big-picture strategy and make sure you're protected Additional resources: Legal Road Map® podcast episodes: Copyrights & trademarks: 6, 7, 8 Michael Hyatt: https://michaelhyatt.com Platform University: https://platformuniversity.com/ Full Focus Planner: https://fullfocusplanner.com Amy Porterfield: http://amyporterfield.com/ Pat Flynn: https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/ Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit. You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Marie Forleo is arguably the original “multi-passionate entrepreneur”. She manages to effortlessly incorporate her love of things like dance and hip-hop while operating a multimillion-dollar online marketing and development company and inspiring millions. In this episode, I did a case study on how Marie: Has built her digital marketing and development brand over a nearly 20-year (!!) career Successfully navigated collaborations - including when she created her signature product, B School Optimizes sales of her signature product through affiliate marketing - and how you can do the same in your business Protects her intellectual property while doing affiliate marketing Key takeaway: Business strategies like affiliate marketing can exponentially increase your sales and your bottom line if done properly. But if you don’t work with an experienced lawyer to make sure you and your business are properly protected in the process, it could spell disaster. Additional resources: Legal Road Map® podcast episodes: GDPR - episodes 38, 39, 40 Marie Forleo’s affiliate program for B School: https://marieforleobschool.com/bschool-affiliate-partner-info/ Marie Forleo: https://www.marieforleo.com/ B-School: https://marieforleobschool.com/ Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit. You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Danielle LaPorte’s online business empire kicks off my September series of case studies. I'm pulling back the curtain of online businesses I admire and pointing out critical legal and business decisions, issues, and protections that helped them achieve their success. From Danielle's early days as a consultant to her current position as creator of one of the most recognizable lifestyle brands on the market, this episode covers investment, book deals, certification programs and more. In this episode, I cover how Danielle: Paid a high price from taking on investment the wrong way early on in her entrepreneurial journey Started her current business by going back to basics Leveraged her intellectual property to create an online content empire Navigated the world of self-publishing for her books Created a certification program (and what you should do to make sure your content and brand are protected) Grew from a one-on-one consultant to a global business that reaches millions Key takeaway: Choosing the right time to stop DIY’ing legal and start working with a lawyer can help you avoid potentially devastating missteps in your business. Additional resources: Legal Road Map® podcast episodes: Book deals - episodes 26, 27, 28, 29 Licensing - episodes 30, 31, 32, 33 Trademark - episodes 5, 6, 21, 25, 45 Copyright - episodes 5, 7, 52 Danielle LaPorte: http://www.daniellelaporte.com/ Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit. You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Learn all things copyright for your business in this joint podcast episode + training with lawyer Rachel Brenke.   Copyright law is designed to protect creative works, but in order to take advantage of those protections, you have to take certain steps first. In this episode I cover: The many benefits of registering your copyrights, especially in licensing The importance of spelling out who retains ownership of creative works in contracts with independent contractors Why it’s even more important to have a contract in place when working with friends and family Who has ownership of a podcast episode with a guest appearance When you can appropriately use the © or ® symbols What constitutes infringement Key takeaway: Copyright law can be complicated, with a lot of potentially expensive implications for your business. Working with a trusted attorney upfront can save you time, effort and money when it comes to enforcing your copyrights. Additional Resources:  www.rachelbrenke.com Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit. You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Providing employee benefits is a great way to retain talented employees for the long-haul, but as an employer what is your responsibility and what rules and regulations do you have to follow? In this episode I cover: Vacation and PTO, and when rules and regulations kick in Which state you must consider when offering vacation and/or PTO Sick leave and family leave, and what jurisdiction’s rules and regulations might apply The level of responsibility required when setting up a retirement plan for your employees Important considerations for health, disability, and life insurance Key takeaway: As a small business owner, there are many ways you can provide important employee benefits to make sure your employees are taken care of and protected in their personal lives, but you also need to make sure that you’re providing benefits in a way that protects you and your business, so be sure to consult with a qualified benefits provider. Additional Resources:  IRS guidance on providing benefits Department of Labor resource on fiduciary responsibilities Department of Labor info on FMLA Melissa Curtis - Woodall Agency Insurance- life, disability and long-term care insurance agent Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit. You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm).   This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Having virtual team members classified as employees can carry complex legal considerations. This week I’m joined by our resident labor and employment whiz Michelle Coakley to talk about what you need to know to make sure your business is protected legally when it comes to having employees on your virtual team. In this episode I cover: The importance of properly classifying your workers Two reasons why the government cares how you classify your workers Best practice for how often you should audit your employment policy to check for federal and state & local compliance Why you should be sure to do regular performance reviews What you need to know about non-disclosure and non-compete agreements Key takeaway: Employment laws and ordinances can vary widely not only from state to state, but in some cases city to city. It’s important to seek out the right kind of advisors (legal, financial, human resources, etc.) to make sure your business is protected when it comes to employment matters. Additional Resources:  Episode 12: Hiring employees and contractors the right way(with FREE download) Episode 37: Labor & employment chat with AWB Attorney Michelle Coakley LastPass Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit. You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

In this episode, I explain what you need to know about taxes for location-independent businesses from a legal standpoint. Whether you’re running a location-independent or virtual business, or you have locations or customers in other states, one fact remains the same, your business has to pay taxes! In this episode I cover: The different types of taxes your business may have to pay What you need to prepare for if you sell to customers in a state outside the state where your business is registered Registering in other states where you have employees or customers The consequences you could face if you don’t pay your taxes Some free resources to help Key takeaway: No matter which state your 6-7 figure+ location-independent business calls home, you have to pay taxes. Make sure you’re not at risk for a potentially costly audit by seeking the advice of a professional. Resources mentioned: Small Business Administration Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit. You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Operating a location-independent or online business may mean you have to register in other states where you are doing business. But what constitutes “doing business” in another state? And what could be the consequences of not registering as a foreign entity? In this episode I cover: Why registering as a foreign entity could apply to online businesses as well as location-independent businesses What constitutes “doing business” in another state The tricky nuances of having independent contractors in other states Why failing to register in the appropriate state could prevent you from being able to file suit The consequences of not registering as a foreign entity in states where you do business Key takeaway: Fifty states can mean 50 different answers when it comes to doing business in a state outside your own. Seeking the advice of a trusted lawyer can prevent a legal nightmare for your location-independent business. Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit. You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

So what the heck are intellectual property rights? You know those brilliant new ideas you dream up? Those are incredibly valuable and they need to be protected. Autumn Witt Boyd, the creator of the podcast The Legal Road Map, returns to BYT for the second time to help those of us who are building online businesses to protect our online empires. Learn what your common law trademark rights are, calculate your risk tolerance, evaluate the marketplace, and more!   This Show is brought to you by: www.marketingimpactacademy.com Make a difference & make money doing it… Without it ever feeling like work.   Get episode show notes here: www.chalenejohnson.com/podcast   Hey! Send me a tweet & tell me what you think about the show! (Use the Hashtag) #BuildYourTribe so I know you’re a homie! XOXO Chalene   Connect with me on your fav social platform. At the moment, mine is SnapChat: ChaleneOfficial http://www.Facebook.com/Chalene   http://www.Instagram.com/ChaleneJohnson http://www.Twitter.com/ChaleneJohnson

When are you violating someone else’s trademark rights?  OR, flip-side, when should you get in touch with someone you think might be infringing your trademark and ask them to change it?   How can you interpret your search results when you type your trademark into the USPTO website? I received this great question in an online business community, CoCommercial, and realized I’ve never dug into how lawyers, courts, and the USPTO evaluate when trademarks are too close. This is a meaty episode on a complex topic, where I covered: Consumer confusion - what trademark law is intended to prevent, and why this matters Who has “priority rights” over a trademark in the US When might you need to evaluate whether one trademark is too similar to another? How to figure out if trademarks are too close Does it matter if one trademark has a few extra words? What about different spelling? When are two logos too similar? Does it matter if someone copied a trademark intentionally, or by accident? Examples of trademarks that are and are not too similar When you need to bring in an experienced IP attorney to help you evaluate a potential trademark infringement Key takeaway: trademarks do not have to be identical to potentially be infringing!   If you have questions about whether one trademark is too close to another, post them in our Legal Road Map® Facebook group!  Just request access and we’ll let you right in. Next month we’re diving into the legal issues that come up with running a location-independent business.  You will definitely want to tune in if you’ve ever thought about living that laptop life and traveling the world while running your business!  Tune in next week for the first episode in this series. Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit. You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Virtual Chief Operating Officer (COO). business strategist, and project manager Emily Allen and I discussed how a virtual COO can help your business.  Learn how you can stop getting distracted by all those shiny objects and actually meet your goals! We chatted about why PLANNING is so critical to growing your business to seven- or eight-figures, and why it’s so hard for most entrepreneurs to find the time to do it.  Emily explained how a good project manager can help you prioritize which projects are going to help you achieve your big goals, and break them down into pieces so you can actually tackle them, or delegate to team members. And, we talked about tracking project progress and outcomes to be sure you’re actually achieving what you set out to do. Emily shared some of the benefits clients gain from working with a virtual COO or project manager, especially making sure you have the right team members in place and are filling their plates with the right tasks. We talked about when it makes sense to bring in a project manager or virtual COO -- this is not something a new business owner needs, but is critical when moving from six to seven figures. I gave some insight to the changes I’ve seen in my own business after just a few weeks of working with Emily, and a few of my own a-ha moments.  And Emily talked about some mistakes business owners make trying to scale rapidly on their own without bringing in an experienced business strategist. Emily Allen is a Virtual COO (Chief Operating Officer) for small to medium-sized woman-owned companies that don’t yet require the services of a full-time COO, but have the need for more strategy, more time to work on what they do best, and more structure with systems and processes without giving up more of their time. Her main focus is on execution. Through working together, she is able to help define/refine the business strategy and provide accountability for execution to the appropriate members of the team. She ensures that the company's everyday activities run smoothly and that there is a company-wide strategic plan in place to support the vision of the company. Emily brings her experience in business planning and project management from her previous corporate life. Emily is a wife, mom of 3 kiddos, certified project management professional living in northeastern Wisconsin and loves all things planning and organizing. Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit. You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Want to know what the Marketing Matrix is and how it can help you plan and prepare for your year? Today I’m going to walk you through it and give you and all the options that are available to you. In this episode, you’ll hear how planning your marketing the right way will help you be realistic about the time and effort you can dedicate to these activities.   Things you will learn in this episode:    Why attorneys tend to have a scattered approach to business development    Who is your preferred client - and how to market to them    Why you should be paying attention to what your potential clients are doing on social media     Tips for having your web presence work for you     What content platforms and strategies should be implemented into your marketing plan    How you can use speaking engagements to connect with others and grow your business     Ways to write from a marketing perspective and the in’s and out’s of email marketing     My thoughts on spending money on SEO     And much more!      LINKS:  http://www.heatherjoyhubbard.com/podcast/The-Rich-Is-in-the-Niche/ (#7)  http://www.heatherjoyhubbard.com/podcast/legal-sales-funnels/ (#20)  http://www.heatherjoyhubbard.com/podcast/public-relations-and-press-success-with-guest-jennifer-berson/ (#36)  http://www.heatherjoyhubbard.com/podcast/how-to-sell-without-being-salesy/ (#69)  https://awbfirm.com/podcast/  *Legal Road Map with Autumn Witt Boyd   Podcast Directory  http://www.legalmasterminds.com/   Get full show notes and more information here: http://www.hustleandflowpodcast.com/75  

Bookkeeper and financial advisor Heather Pranitis from Number Nerd Bookkeeping Solutions and I talked about why you need to know the numbers in your business if you want to scale to seven-figures.   We talked about what numbers you should be keeping your eye on (overhead! profitability!) as you grow.  Heather also explained what a bookkeeper can help with, and why it’s worth talking with one early in your business when you’re still keeping your own books, to make sure you are set up and recording things correctly.   We also chatted about when is the right time to hire a bookkeeper, and how to find someone who understands YOUR business’s revenue streams and systems.  Heather stressed how your professional advisors (attorney, CPA, bookkeeper) should work together and be able to talk to each other to support your growing business.   Heather outlined the benefits of working with a bookkeeper, including understanding what your numbers really mean, getting time back by outsourcing bookkeeping, and gaining an outsider’s perspective and analysis of your business’s finances. Then we went down the rabbit hole of how it might cost you more, in the long run, to keep your own books once your revenues reach a certain point, especially if you are using Paypal or Stripe or running payroll. You can find more from Heather and Number Nerd at http://numbernerdbookkeepingsolutions.com/ and Heather likes to hang out on Instagram as @numbernerdbookkeeping Find Heather's business workflow templates (they're awesome) here: http://numbernerdbookkeepingsolutions.com/business-workflow-templates/ Number Nerd Bookkeeping Solutions is a full-service virtual bookkeeping firm that helps individuals and businesses of all sizes get their numbers in order. Number Nerd offers monthly bookkeeping and payroll packages, QuickBooks file reviews, QuickBooks training, accounting software setup, accounting cleanup, and business process consulting services to their clients around the world. Owned and operated by experienced bookkeeper and accounting workflow consultant, Heather Pranitis, Number Nerd excels at delivering customized solutions to bookkeeping challenges, easy-to-read financial reports, and simple answers to tough finance-related questions. The Number Nerd team partners with their clients to improve bookkeeping processes and establish good accounting habits. Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit.  You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.  

Tax advisor and financial strategist Melissa Whaley and I talk about why having a tax pro on your team is essential as you grow your business towards seven- or eight-figures! Learn the benefits of working with a financial advisor, how a pro can save money both short-term and long-term, and some pitfalls of DIY’ing this area of your business. Melissa also explained the tax advantages to filing taxes as an S corporation, and when a business owner should at least have a consultation with a financial advisor who can help with tax planning. We even talked about how you can lose the liability protection an LLC or corporation provides for your personal assets if you are commingling personal and business funds (piercing the corporate veil). You can find more from Melissa at https://melissawhaley.com/ Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit.  You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

This month is all about building your team of professional advisors to reach your seven- and eight-figure business goals. I’m teaching why it's crucial to have a CPA or tax professional, bookkeeper, operations or business manager (COO), financial advisor or CFO, and yes of course a lawyer!, as well as other advisors, on your team. In this episode I cover: How new businesses can begin building your professional network of “advisors” even if you’re not ready to hire them yet When business owners should hire experts The types of experts a seven- or eight-figure business needs How to find the right experts to work with your business Why you should budget for these professional services The benefits of hiring the right professionals to help you plan your business’s growth How our firm works with businesses on retainer for predictable, consistent legal guidance (it may surprise you!) I'll also be interviewing a few of my favorite pros in these categories later this month, you don't want to miss it! Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit.  You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Joining us on the podcast is the legal powerhouse, Autumn Witt Boyd. Autumn is a lawyer who specializes in helping entrepreneurs protect their intellectual property. She provides legal guidance with copyright and trademark protection, contract negotiation, and problem solving. Along with her team at The Law Office of Autumn Witt Boyd PLLC, she loves helping entrepreneurs grow their dream business through smart collaborations and deals. Autumn is the mother of three small children, lives with her family in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and hosts the Legal Road Map® podcast. Her law firm’s mission is to provide “innovative legal services with integrity and joy, so that ambitious entrepreneurs can grow profitable businesses and create the life of their dreams.” In this episode, Autumn shares her entrepreneurial journey, as well as some tactical insights into trademarks, privacy policies, contracts, and website terms and conditions. Other Mentions: Autumn’s Website, Autumn’s GDPR Checklist Joy: vacationHustle: Asana, Harvest

In our third and final GDPR mini-training ("GDPR" is the European Union's new General Data Protection Regulation), I covered: What the GDPR is (briefly!) Changes US businesses may need to make with their website if they use cookies How do you know if your website uses cookies? (hint: if you use the Facebook ad pixel, Google analytics, or other ways to track your website visitors to other sites or target advertising to them, you’re using cookies!) Three options for US businesses to comply with GDPR if they use cookies, including pop-ups, banners, and an “I agree” button Recommended plug-ins to get your website GDPR compliant Steps you can take right now in your business to comply with GDPR, not just with cookies Ready to download our updated GDPR-compliant privacy policy template and get a free GDPR checklist? You can find it here: www.awbfirm.com/gdpr/ Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit.  You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

In our second GDPR mini-training ("GDPR" is the European Union's new General Data Protection Regulation), I covered: What the GDPR is (briefly!) Changes US businesses may need to make with their email marketing, list building, lead magnets, opt-ins, downloadables, freebies, contact us forms, and checkout procedures for digital and physical products Three options for US businesses to comply with GDPR in their opt-ins, including checkboxes on forms, double opt-ins, and more transparency Do you need to delete your whole list, or do a re-engagement campaign? What “consent” means under GDPR Ready to download our updated GDPR-compliant privacy policy template? You can find it here: www.awbfirm.com/gdpr/ Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast for a transcript and show notes, and sign up to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit.  You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

You may have heard about the "GDPR," the European Union's new General Data Protection Regulation. This huge change to the legal rules in the EU will affect all U.S. companies that have a website, and goes into effect May 25, 2018. Each week this month on the podcast, I'm releasing a mini-training on GDPR, to break down the law into smaller, more digestible parts. In this week's first GDPR mini-training episode, you'll learn: What the GDPR is Which businesses need to comply Penalties you could face if you don't comply An overview of the changes required by the law (Ready to download our updated GDPR-compliant privacy policy template? You can find it here. Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit. You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Today on the show we welcome Autumn Witt Boyd. Autumn is an experienced lawyer who helps ambitious and creative business owners, such as yourself, reach your big scary goals. She has the law office of Autumn Witt Boyd where she guides online and e-commerce businesses as they grow. She has special expertise in copyright and trademark issues and her firm offers full legal support to creative businesses. Autumn is also the host of The Legal Road Map podcast which teaches business owners to protect their rights and stay out of legal hot water! A lot of entrepreneurs and business owners tend to shy away from legal conversations, particularly when it comes to copyrights, as these situations can get complicated, awkward and are often just downright confusing! But they shouldn’t have to be and this is why we’ve brought Autumn on to simplify our lives and ensure that we’re all on the right track and protecting our booty’s! In this episode, you’ll hear more about the biggest legal mistakes that creative and online business owners are making and get some special insights related to copyright, trademarks and dealing with copycats. To top it all off, you’ll get to hear Emylee go off on a tangent about people stealing our sh*t! Thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate and review The Strategy Hour Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. For show notes go to thestrategyhour.com. To download the transcript of this episode head to: thestrategyhour.com.

Meet Autumn Witt Boyd, an attorney who specializes in helping ambitious entrepreneurs reach their big goals faster and smarter — guiding them as they go. Autumn loves helping creatives put together collaborations and partnerships, grow their brand with trademarks, and protect their content with copyrights. Autumn is also the host of the Legal Road Map podcast, which teaches business owners about legal issues they may face as they grow profitable companies.   On today’s episode we’re talking about the difference between copyright and trademarks, the process for protecting your work and how to handle copycats. Autumn does a fantastic job of breaking this complex topic into bite size pieces and provide tangible steps that you can take in your business now.   ON TODAY’S EPISODE: The most common mistake Autumn sees product-based businesses making The difference between copyright and trademarks and where to start when working to protect your work Copyrighting multiple pieces as a collection-- when you can do it and when you cannot The importance of copyrighting your work earlier rather than later Autumn’s opinion on when to pursue legal action The steps a product-based business owner can take when they find a copycat online that is worth putting the time, energy, and effort into shutting down What information a cease and desist letter contains and whether you need a lawyer to send one How to ensure that you’re not inadvertently influenced by things like social media or other people's work Utilizing song lyrics or quotes in your work and the potential consequences you can face The process of protecting and fighting for you trademark Legal document templates that would be helpful to product-based business owners When to start looking for an attorney and how to find one Autumn’s firm and the companies that she works with The five minute IP audit worksheet that Autumn has put together for businesses Her podcast, The Legal Road Map Podcast KEY TAKE-AWAYS: “Under US law, you cannot file a lawsuit for copyright infringement without having a copyright registration.” - Autumn Witt Boyd “Think of copyrights as protecting creative works.” - Autumn Witt Boyd “If you're registering something, you're really kind of buying the right to stop other people from using your stuff.” - Autumn Witt Boyd “You just have to make a judgment call of how much time and energy it's worth, and money, because lawyers are not inexpensive. And it also takes a lot of your energy and time to gather all the evidence and do all the work to try and shut them down.” - Autumn Witt Boyd “Make sure that you either take screenshots or save whatever evidence you can find that they're infringing your stuff, because once you get in contact with them, often it will disappear.” - Autumn Witt Boyd “You don't poke the bear when you're trying to get the bear to do something nice for you.” - Autumn Witt Boyd “I always say stay in your own lane, make up your own stuff. You're going to be safest that way.” - Autumn Witt Boyd “I do like to recommend that people work with an attorney who has some experience, either with a specific issue that you're having or with your particular industry.” - Autumn Witt Boyd LINKSWebsite: http://awbfirm.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutumnWittBoyd/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autumnwboyd/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AutumnWittBoyd IP Audit Worksheet: http://awbfirm.com/free-legal-guides/   JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:   Do you want to scale your business and add new revenue streams?  Are you ready to get a handle on your cash flow and tuck money away for retirement?     Maybe you are interested in increasing your visibility and fine-tuning your marketing outreach?  Perhaps you have a team that you want to nurture or need help building your team?   Our newest on demand program, Paper Camp+ can help you with all of these things and more.  The program includes 5 keynote presentations and 2 panels from a wide range of business experts.  You can watch what you need, when you need it most and revisit the videos as often as you’d like.     This course was built for anyone running a product based business, and extends way beyond the paper industry.  Enroll at www.tradeshowcamp.com/pcplus! ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT: Proof to Product is brought to you by Tradeshow Bootcamp and hosted by Katie Hunt. Since 2011, TSBC has worked with hundreds of product based businesses to help them up level, scale, and build profitable sustainable companies. You can find our show notes and additional resources at ProofToProduct.com. If you like what you heard today, please head over to Apple Podcast to leave a five star review and subscribe. Thanks so much for listening. We'll be back next week with a new episode!

We’ve all probably heard a partnership or collaboration horror story or two. Join me in this week’s episode to learn ways to protect your partnership or collaboration from the start. Listen and learn: The four essentials to address before you partner up What type of agreement can help you gain ownership of work created by your independent contractor How even email can save your partnership or collaboration KEY TAKEAWAY: Get it in writing! No matter how advanced you are or aren’t in your business, spelling out the essentials in clear, plain language from the beginning can save you a lot of headache(and legal fees) down the road. Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast to sign up for a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit to learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (plus be the first to know when new episodes are live). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

In this week’s episode, Corinne Crabtree of Phit-N-Phat shares valuable insights from year 10 in business. Join us to hear about her experience in transitioning from a hobby to a thriving and quickly-growing business. Listen and learn: Why building community is so important and can help extend your business’s reach How to deal with the criticism that comes with growing in your business How contracts can protect your friendship when you’re working with friends How important streamlining your client experience can be A valuable mindset shift to help you transition into the person you want to be KEY TAKEAWAY: Sometimes our business callings find us. When navigating the unique issues of unexpectedly starting and growing a business - from website privacy policies to employee/contractor contracts - it’s essential to have a trusted lawyer who knows your business inside and out. Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit to learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (plus be the first to know when new episodes are live). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Giving someone permission to use your process, teaching method, or body of work can feel overwhelming. This week’s episode covers many of the important things to consider when you’re developing a licensing agreement. Listen and learn: A good litmus test for creating your licensing program rules and regulations The the three elements that every licensing agreement needs How advances and royalties work under a licensing agreement The pros and cons of having a territory clause The most important word to keep an eye out for in a licensing agreement KEY TAKEAWAY: From payment arrangements to use of social media and termination clauses, there are a lot of things to make sure you get right in your licensing agreement. Working with a trusted legal advisor can make sure that your work or program is experienced the way you designed it to be, whether you’re the one sharing it or not. Sign up below for a 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit to learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (plus be the first to know when new episodes are live). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Join us this week when we talk with Anna Guest Jelley about her experience developing and growing a training and certification business. Listen and learn: Why working with an attorney from day 1 may not always be the best route for a certification business How thinking ‘big picture’ from the start can help with scaling down the road How a certification program can allow you to focus on the things you love doing most in your business How scaling back (even if it’s every once in a while) can actually help you grow your business KEY TAKEAWAY: Certification programs can increase your reach in ways you never imagined. Working with a trusted attorney along the way ensures that your business growth is smart and strategic. Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit to learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (plus be the first to know when new episodes are live). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Have you created phenomenal content or an amazing method, and now you want to give permission to someone else to use it? If you’re considering creating a licensing or certification program this week’s episode will walk you through the top things to think about before you start. Listen and learn: How a licensing program can help you avoid burnout Why you’ll want to consider trademark registration before creating your licensing program How registering your copyrights is really the only way to fully protect the elements of your licensing program Why you need to understand your rights and ownership over every part of your program before you license KEY TAKEAWAY: Licensing or certification programs can be beneficial for everyone involved. But in order to make sure that you and your licensees are protected, it’s important to work with a trusted legal advisor on making sure your trademark and copyrights protections are in place. Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast to sign up to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit to learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (plus be the first to know when new episodes are live). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Tara Gentile, author and the founder of CoCommercial, joins us this week to share how she pivoted her business model to help turn small business owners into tomorrow’s economic powerhouses. Listen and learn: The less common motivation behind registering your trademark Why consulting your ideal customer can help you fine-tune your perfect product How a licensing program can broaden your reach How understanding the difference between an independent contractor and an employee can help make the hiring leap less scary KEY TAKEAWAY: When you “don’t know what you don’t know”, legal can seem intimidating. But sometimes doing your due diligence and tackling something scary like legal can open doors to help you grow your business more effectively. Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit to learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (plus be the first to know when new episodes are live). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

If you’ve written a book or are in the process of writing a book, join me for this week’s episode where I discuss protecting the intellectual property in your book. You pour your heart and soul into the body of work you create. Protecting the intellectual property in your book is essential to making sure all of your hard work continues to work for you and not for others. Listen and learn: Why early copyright registration is essential to protecting yourself and your book What elements of your book are covered by copyright The potential cost of a copyright infringement lawsuit What you should know about co-author agreements How contracts can save you when working with independent contractors Why you might not be able to trademark your book title KEY TAKEAWAY: There are a lot of moving parts involved in writing a book, and it can be overwhelming to make sure your legal house is in order. A trusted legal advisor can help make sure you and your book are protected before you publish. Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit to learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (plus be the first to know when new episodes are live). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Mary Beth Storjohann, founder of Workable Wealth, shares her experience of doing business in a highly regulated industry and the challenges of self-publishing a book. Listen and learn: The one thing you should consider hiring out from the start when doing business in a highly regulated industry Which responsibility will fall to you whether you go traditional or self-publish your book How taking a workflow audit can help make sure your client contracts cover everything Why leaning on a group of competitors for advice isn’t always a bad thing KEY TAKEAWAY: DIY can get you pretty far in business and in publishing. But knowing when to bring in legal help can make the difference between reaching your goal or falling short. Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit to learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (plus be the first to know when new episodes are live). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Publishing a book is a tricky process to navigate. Traditional publishing and self-publishing both bring their own set of unique challenges. This week’s episode lays the foundation for understanding the process of publishing a book as well as some of the legal issues you’ll need to keep in mind. Listen and learn: What the role of an agent is (and where their expertise ends) How a trusted lawyer can bring value whether an agent is involved or not The important questions to ask about royalties and advances Why a multiple book deal isn’t always best The benefits that both traditional publishing and self-publishing can offer KEY TAKEAWAY: A book deal can be the gateway to growing your business and reaching your big goals (or it may be the goal itself!). Having a trusted legal advisor’s help along the way can ensure your book gets you where you want to go instead. Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast for a transcript and show notes, and sign up to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit to learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (plus be the first to know when new episodes are live). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Emily & Kathleen are guests on previous Being Boss Podcast guest, Autumn Witt Boyd's podcast, the Legal Road Map Podcast. We're talking about how this conversation applies to our journey with the Being Boss book as well as going after other opportunities as a creative entrepreneur. This minisode is sponsored by Twenty20. Get full show notes for this minisode here Listen to Emily & Kathleen's episode on The Legal Roadmap Podcast here --- Follow Being Boss on Instagram: @beingbossclub Follow Being Boss on Twitter: @beingbossclub Follow Being Boss on Facebook: facebook.com/beingbossclub

Being Boss®  founders, Kathleen Shannon and Emily Thompson, share valuable insights about partnering with others in business and the ins and outs of publishing a book. Listen and learn: Why you should have Terms and Conditions on your website How getting a registered trademark can be motivation to level-up in your business How essential an Operating Agreement is when partnering with others Why self-publishing may not be the best route for your book How having a trusted tribe of bosses can be so valuable in navigating business decisions KEY TAKEAWAY: Legal may not always be necessary early on in business, but it can be essential when you’re partnering with others. Working with a lawyer who knows your business can help you and your partner(s) reach your long term vision through short term goals. Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit to learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (plus be the first to know when new episodes are live). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Filing a trademark registration application is no easy task. In this week’s episode, I’ll talk about what happens after you get your trademark registration, and how taking your trademark seriously can make others take you and your business more seriously. Listen and learn: Why it’s a good idea to use the ™ and ® symbols Why you should monitor the USPTO for similar filings How a simple Google Alert can save you a lot of trademark headache Why you need to consult with a trusted attorney if you’re going to send a cease and desist letter KEY TAKEAWAY: Getting your trademark registration signals a huge leveling-up in your business. Having a trusted attorney on your team who already knows your business can help you feel prepared to defend your trademark. Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit to learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (plus be the first to know when new episodes are live). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Original Boss Mom®, Dana Malstaff, shares how protecting her brand was not only an early, key business strategy but also now provides her with peace of mind to reach her big goals. Listen and learn: How a registered trademark protects the meaning behind your business, not just its name How DIY’ing legal isn’t always a good idea The pros and cons of DIY'ing legal for your business, and when it's time to level up and hire a lawyer Why having the right professionals on your team can make all the difference KEY TAKEAWAY: Working with a lawyer doesn’t have to be an intimidating one-way street. Having the right legal support on your team can keep you from needlessly spending on non-strategized legal work. Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit to learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (plus be the first to know when new episodes are live). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Registering a trademark seems like a business no-brainer, but there are some potentially negative consequences that are important to consider before you take the plunge. Join me in this week’s episode where I discuss the downsides to registering a trademark, and why I think you should do it anyway. Listen and learn: Why raising your business’s profile through trademark registration isn’t always a good thing How a registered trademark helps prevent consumer confusion Why some trademarks can never be registered Why time really is of the essence in our U.S. trademark registration process How important it really is to work with a trusted legal advisor when registering your business’s trademark KEY TAKEAWAY: Trademark registration is a complicated process that’s not for the faint of heart. But if it’s a brand that’s important to your business, it’s worth registering your trademark. Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit to learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (plus be the first to know when new episodes are live). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Shawn Fink, accidental entrepreneur and founder of Abundant Mama, talks through the desire to create and the fear of trying something new in this week’s episode. Listen and learn: The importance of finding your own story Why knowing your ideal customer is so crucial How “owning your name” through a trademark can totally change your business Why working with a lawyer who understands your business can actually prevent you from unnecessary legal spending KEY TAKEAWAY: Taking the leap to work with a lawyer doesn’t automatically mean that you’ll find you’ve been doing things wrong all along - it can actually affirm that you’re on exactly the right path already. Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit to learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (plus be the first to know when new episodes are live). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

You can file a trademark yourself, but should you? Online platforms like LegalZoom may lead you to believe filing a trademark application is as easy as filling out a form, but in reality it’s a complicated process can require a lot of guidance. Listen and learn: The important first step you can take to prevent having your application denied Why working with a trusted lawyer can help you avoid finding out the hard way that your business name is not registerable How a lawyer can help you strategize your trademark application to save money long term Why a USPTO Office Action isn’t always a bad thing KEY TAKEAWAY: Trademark applications are tricky a process to navigate. In some cases, if your application isn’t done right the first time you might not get another chance to refile it. Working with a lawyer to file your trademark application not only ensures that your brand is fully protected, but it can also save you time and money in the long run. Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit to learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (plus be the first to know when new episodes are live). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Stacy Tuschl of She’s Building Her Empire talks about the benefits of working with a lawyer vs. an online platform when it comes to copyrights and trademarks. Listen and learn: Why putting things out there before they’re (or you’re) ready can be the best way to go Why not working with a lawyer on your trademark can leave your brand open to copycats The importance of knowing the difference between an independent contractor and an employee, as they relate to your business How the right pricing attracts the kind of clients you want to work with How valuable it is to have a lawyer on your team who knows your business KEY TAKEAWAY: If you’re ready to reach your big goals or build your empire, the best place to start is on a firm legal foundation. Sign up below to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit to learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (plus be the first to know when new episodes are live). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Today I’m talking with lawyer Autumn Witt Boyd all about creating contracts that protect you and your clients. Autumn and I had worked together on a contract for my own business and so I was excited to bring her on to talk about her process and some tips for creating contracts that protect you and your business while still making sure that your clients get the best deal possible. The goal of your contract is that you can both be confident that you would be protected if something were to happen and how that makes it so much easier to work while knowing you have a contract to back you up. Autumn Witt Boyd is an experienced lawyer who helps high-achieving and ambitious business owners reach their big goals, faster and smarter. Autumn guides creative entrepreneurs with big dreams as they grow from one-person-shows to bigger deals and collaborations. She has special expertise in copyright and trademark issues. Autumn also hosts the Legal Road Map podcast, which teaches business owners how to protect their rights and stay out of legal hot water. She lives in Chattanooga, TN with her husband Dave, twin boys Sam and Tyson, and daughter Vivian. Topics Discussed: Why a contract is the most important legal protection for your business Why your contract should protect both you and your client Your first contract should be a client agreement How you can create a basic contract yourself starting out and why you should The most important things to have in your contract with a client Why your contracts should be strict upfront to allow you room to make decisions based on circumstances in the future What to do if someone wants you to sign their contract How to create a contract that protects you and your client Use your previous experience to create a contract that serves your business based on the issues you’ve had in the past How to communicate the benefits of a contract to your clients Why a contract gives you freedom to do your best work Other contracts you may need in your business The steps to take if you need to enforce a contract Resources Discussed: Being Boss Podcast Contract Templates Tara Gentile The Magicians Being Boss Clubhouse Connect with Autumn: Website Facebook Facebook Live Videos Legal Road Map Podcast

As creatives, one of the last things we think about when it comes to our business logistics. Particularly when it comes to finances and legalities, we tend to turn a blind eye to all that (just give me all the pretty stuff OK!) until it's too late. Today Autumn Witt Boyd is on the show giving us the legal lowdown when it comes to all things Joint Ventures and Partnerships! Autumn Witt Boyd is a lawyer who works with entrepreneurs with big dreams. She helps her clients navigate growing their business from being a one-woman-show selling products or services to bigger collaborations and deals. She loves helping creatives get started on the right foot, create airtight contracts, and understand their legal issues in plain English. Autumn also hosts the Legal Road Map podcast, which teaches business owners how to protect their rights and stay out of legal hot water.   FREE DOWNLOAD - Before you partner up, ask yourself these questions!

Legalizing your business is an important step, but one that is highly overlooked. Join Tonya with today's guest, Autumn Boyd, as they talk about creating legal birth control for your business, before it's too late. Autumn is a lawyer who helps creative business owners protect their most valuable asset -- their intellectual property.  She provides copyright and trademark strategy, contract negotiation, and problem solving.  Her favorite thing is helping creatives grow their dream business with smart collaborations and deals.  You can find Autumn in Chattanooga, TN hanging out with her three kids and husband, monogramming and putting glitter on anything that stays still, or sipping a glass of champagne after bedtime.  Autumn also hosts the Legal Road Map podcast, which teaches business owners how to protect their rights and stay out of hot water. THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: THE PROFIT PARTY ACADEMY If you've been in business for a few years and have hit a plateau, you're ready to make more money, and you're stuck, Tonya Rineer's Profit Party Academy is designed specifically for you. She wants to help you break down limiting beliefs and mindset blocks to set you up to rock in your business. The group academy will be a mix of group calls, mastermind and calls with Tonya. If you want more information, RSVP for her Profit Party Academy. IN THIS EPISODE 3:06 Autumn's college realization that she wasn't cut out for being a singer or journalist and how she came to the realization that the way to live a happy life is figure out what you and enjoy and what you're good at, and double down on that. Don't try to achieve things that you could but that would be a struggle. 5:36 She figured out that she didn't want to fight with other lawyers, and through her work with photographers and stock photography, changed to working for herself. She found the online community by happenstance and has been on her own for the last two years. 10:48 What it has been like for Autumn going out on her own, building her law firm, and adding a virtual assistant and systems to keep her business growing. She was worried that the revenue would keep coming in and worrying about making payments. 12:54 How Autumn prepared mentally and physically for maternity leave. She ran through the worst case scenario and realized that it would be okay in the end. She prepared her clients for her being gone at the end of her leave, and none of them left her. 17:20 She's in a growth phase with new clients coming on and adding to her team. 18:56 When the right time to protect your business can be and when to talk with a lawyer. She suggests someone who is certain of their business plan and has been in business for a while. It's possible to talk with a lawyer and talk about what is coming up, but it might not be necessary to spend thousands of dollars before you actually need to spend that money. 22:59 Milestones to talk with a lawyer are when you're hiring your first contractor, if you're opening a studio or have an office space you need to get protection or figure out if you have the right protection, and having contracts for business. Having a contract creates more freedom in your relationship because you already have it in writing. 27:55 Autumn has a 10 step process of things you can do to get your creative business legit. She's also got a podcast where she talks about more legal information. [bctt tweet="Autumn provides birth control for your legal situations. #profitpartypodcast" username="tonyarineer"] KEY TAKEAWAYS Autumn's journey to being a lawyer and finding what she loved doing. How Autumn prepared mentally and physically for maternity leave and realized her businesss and life would be okay in the end. Milestones to talk with a lawyer. Contracts are the most important thing you can do for your business. How you live your days will impact how you live your life. EPISODE RESOURCES Affiliate link present Trello Free Money Mindset Training- just in case you're ready to take your profit power to the next level! Hang out with us inside our free Facebook Community- where every day is a party! CONTINUE THE PARTY WITH AUTUMN Autumn's website for her free 10 step check list to legalize your business Autumn's Facebook page Legal Road Map Podcast