Business Advice Business Liability Legal Tips for Entrepreneurs

October 3rd, 2024

The FTC, “Truth in Advertising” and Marketing Pitfalls: A Guide

Truth in Advertising: A Simple Guide to Stay Compliant with FTC Marketing Rules What is the FTC? First, let’s address the role of the FTC. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is a U.S. government agency responsible for protecting consumers and promoting competition. One of its primary roles is to ensure that businesses engage in fair and truthful marketing practices. The […]

Business Liability Contracts Intellectual Property

February 23rd, 2024

Why You Shouldn’t Hide a Non-Compete Clause in Your Online Terms

In the digital age, where online transactions are the norm, businesses often rely on terms of service agreements (or terms of purchase) to protect their interests. However, including a non-compete clause in these agreements can be a double-edged sword, posing legal risks and potential backlash from customers and the legal system. What is a non-compete clause? A non-compete clause is […]

Business Leadership Intellectual Property Legal Tips for Entrepreneurs

February 16th, 2024

When and How to Use “TM” vs ® Symbol for your Business & Brand Identity

Understanding the nuances of trademark symbols is essential for businesses seeking to protect their brand identity and intellectual property rights. The symbols ® and ™ serve distinct purposes and carry different legal implications, particularly in the United States and internationally. Q: When do I use the ® symbol? In the United States, the symbol ® signifies that a trademark has […]

Business Advice Business Leadership Business Liability

January 23rd, 2024

New Independent Contractor (vs Employee) Test under the FLSA, Issued by U.S. Dept. of Labor

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued its Final Rule, effective March 11, 2024, concerning the classification of workers as employees or independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This Final Rule marks a significant change in how worker classification will be assessed, replacing the previous 2021 Rule and returning to a “totality-of-the-circumstances” approach in assessing the […]

Business Formation Legal Tips for Entrepreneurs

December 30th, 2023

What Every Small Business Owner Needs to Know about the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), Taking Effect January 1, 2024

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) is a game-changer for businesses, and every small business owner should be aware of its implications. Set to become effective on January 1, 2024, the CTA introduces vital reporting requirements that can have significant consequences for non-compliance. Here’s a breakdown of the key points you need to know: Purpose of the CTA: The CTA primarily […]

Business Conversations Business Legal Solutions Business Liability

August 11th, 2023

7 Legal Risks of Using Generative AI / ChatGPT in Your Business [& How to do it Right, Instead]

In the era of online entrepreneurship and personal brand building, tools like Generative AI and ChatGPT are reshaping how business is done. However, while these tools offer immense benefits, they come with a host of legal risks. If you are an expert, professional, online educator, or online information entrepreneur, you’ll want to be aware of these potential pitfalls. Legal Risk […]

Business Legal Solutions Business Liability Contracts

May 24th, 2023

Exploring Certification Programs: A Lucrative Strategy for Consultants Without Creating an Illegal Franchise

If you are like so many of my clients, you are an expert at your craft, and you have reached a level in your consulting, coaching, or professional services business where you are considering offering training in the form of a certification program to others in your field of work to not only support them in their own professional development, […]

Business Leadership Business Liability

March 10th, 2022

The Importance of Business Policies

Let’s talk about the importance of POLICIES in your business. There are several things to remember about policies: you need to SAY WHAT YOU DO, and DO WHAT YOU SAY. There is both the written portion of the policy, and the action that reflects that you follow, abide by, and enforce your policies. Many businesses have POLICIES; fewer businesses actually […]

Business Leadership Legal Tips for Entrepreneurs Risk Management

January 23rd, 2022

Important Dates Checklist for Small Businesses

If you had independent contractors or employees working for your business last year, there’s an important date coming up at the end of this month. Do you know what it is? It turns out, there are quite a few important annual dates for small businesses. Want a leg up in making sure you don’t miss them? You may be thinking […]

Business Leadership Business Liability Risk Management

December 27th, 2021

Data Protection Basics, a Checklist for Online Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses

It’s that time of year where, just like in my last post, we get to re-evaluate our various systems, practices and policies in our businesses to determine whether they are serving us well, are helping us meet our goals, or whether they need to be revamped or revised. If you don’t yet have a “Data Protection Checklist” as an online […]

Business Leadership Legal Tips for Entrepreneurs Risk Management

December 5th, 2021

End of Year Planning Tips for Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs

“If you don’t treat your business like a business, nobody else will.“ – Heather, The Legal Website Warrior® It’s now December, and many entrepreneurs and small businesses are wondering what they should be doing for their end of year planning as they prepare to wrap up the current calendar year and transition into a new year. End of year planning […]

Business Liability Legal Tips for Entrepreneurs Online Content

August 6th, 2021

What is Spam and is it Illegal in the U.S.?

If you are a small business owner or online entrepreneur and you have a database of subscribers that you communicate with via email, you need to be aware of laws governing spam. I would also suggest that as a consumer of emails, you should also be aware of what is (and is not) technically spam or illegal spam. Many people […]