For the love of your business

Articles to LIFT Your Life and Business

Why Every LLC Needs an Operating Agreement

Many business owners make the choice to operate as a limited liability company (LLC) for the personal liability protection this business entity provides. Beyond that, they may not give much thought to creating an LLC operating agreement since most states have LLC laws with default provisions that dictate how the LLC will be managed. However, […]

Read More

These 3 Legal Risks Can Bust Your Business

While there is no such thing as a business with no risk, most savvy business owners look for ways to mitigate risk as much as possible. Being aware of these three legal risks will create an understanding for the future of your business. Trusting a verbal or handshake agreement. This is more common early in […]

Read More

5 Situations Where You Definitely Need A Family Business Lawyer™

Every business owner at one time or another needs legal advice.  While it may be tempting to turn to the Internet for your legal needs, there are three important instances when you will want to consult with a real live Family Business Lawyer™: Entity Formation When you are ready to start your business, you will […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

7 LIFT (Legal, Insurance, Financial and Tax) Prerequisites for Starting A New Business

As lenders ease credit conditions following the Great Recession, new business formation in the U.S. is on the rise. If you are starting a business in 2015, be sure you pay attention to the following prerequisites: Discuss with legal counsel which corporate structure is best for your business: sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation (C or S), […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

Don’t Panic Over Taxes. Use These Special Tax Tips for the Small Business Owners

Completing your small business taxes for 2014 may already be in your rear view mirror, but the stress of taking time out of your business to do them may be lingering.  Even if you have filed an extension, there’s always next year. And, you may be surprised to hear this, but this is the time […]

Read More

Looking for a licensed Family Business Lawyer?