For the love of your business

Articles to LIFT Your Life and Business

What Happens When a Goliath Takes Your Trademark

Terri Kelly, a mother of six who started her “second life” as an entrepreneur designing comfortable flip-flops, did everything right when she launched her company.  First, she designed a great product that addressed a market need.  She worked tirelessly to get her product into shops, boutiques and local stores.  And she trademarked her unique branding […]

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10 Reality Checks to Investigate Before Starting Your Own Business

Before you consider in a new startup, you should understand that there is quite some distance between a great idea and a great company.  As part of your due diligence, perform these reality checks before you spend your savings on starting something new: Are you ready for the entrepreneurial lifestyle? Entrepreneurship is not a get-rich-quick […]

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8 Asset Protection Strategies for Business Owners

One of the biggest risks small business owners take is not properly protecting their personal assets from business liabilities or judgments.  In a recent Entrepreneur.com article, Mark Kohler, author of The Tax & Legal Playbook, offered these 8 asset protection strategies for business owners: Choose the right business structure.  Operating as a sole proprietorship offers […]

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6 Legal Snares That Can Sink Your Startup

Entrepreneurs often make up in enthusiasm what they lack in business experience, but passion alone is not enough to ensure the success of a startup.  If you’re starting a new business, you need to watch for the following six legal snares that could potentially sink your startup: Lease agreements. A commercial lease is much different […]

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Legal Considerations for Launching a Home-Based Business

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, more than half of small business startups in the last 10 years have been home-based.  Whether you are contemplating setting up shop at home as a consultant, a baker or a handy man, there are certain legalities that need to be considered to ensure you have protected yourself […]

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Lessons from Oprah on How to Protect Your Brand

When you hear the name “Oprah,” you think of one person.  Not only because the name itself is so unique, but also because billionaire entrepreneur and media mogul Oprah Winfrey has done such an outstanding job of protecting and promoting her brand. A recent article at Entrepreneur.com examined the legal strategies Oprah has employed to […]

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What Will Happen to Your Family Business When You Die?

Maybe you have dreamed of leaving the business you have built to your heirs, but if you do not have a buy-sell agreement, a business succession plan, a business transition plan or a business preservation plan in place, that dream may not be realized. Any number of factors can work against your dreams if you […]

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The Importance of Adhering to a Franchise Agreement

These days, many people are reinventing their work lives by investing in a franchise.  Franchises offer the benefit of a proven business model, making them attractive to new business owners who seek to manage risk and protect their investment. However, franchise agreements are not forever and there are circumstances when a franchise owner chooses — […]

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How to Divorce-Proof Your Business

Whether it is due to the high unemployment rates that hit several years ago or the entrepreneurial itch Baby Boomers are now scratching instead of retiring, many married people have started their own businesses. These businesses could be put in jeopardy if the owners divorce. If you own a business, it is probably your largest […]

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3 Reasons Why DIY Legal Documents Won’t Work for Your Business

It’s pretty amazing to think of all the things we do online today that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.  But just because you can do something online doesn’t necessarily mean you should.  And that certainly applies to fulfilling your company’s legal needs. Here are three reasons why do-it-yourself legal documents won’t […]

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FMLA Rights Now Extended to Same-Sex Married Couples

The Department of Labor has announced that legal rights given to married couples under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) will now be granted to same-sex couples who marry in states that recognize same-sex marriage. Enacted in 1993, the FMLA allows eligible employees to take unpaid leave for specific medical and family reasons, including a […]

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