the artist's J.D.
Giving creative business owners actionable and practical tools and resources to protect their ass(ets) without legal confusion. Ready to add ease to the legalese? Then subscribe below.
Overwhelmed by the legal stuff? I’ve got something just for you...
Hi Reader! Imagine having a clear, step-by-step legal plan for your business tailored to the goals you want to reach. Doesn’t that sound like a weight off your shoulders? I get it—legal stuff can feel overwhelming and confusing. And let’s be honest, it’s one of the first things that falls off your to-do list. But it’s also essential if you want to protect what you’re building. That’s why I created the Legal To-Do List Challenge: a free, four-day experience to help you map out exactly what...
Are you an LLC/corporation? Make sure you do this by the end of the year
Hi Reader! For over a decade, my advice about keeping your LLC (or corporation) legit hasn’t changed until this year. On January 1, 2024, a new law went into effect that requires LLCs and corporations to report their ownership information. The short version is if you are an LLC or corporation, you must file a report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to tell them who owns your LLC or corporation. Your windows to file this report are: January 1, 2025, if your LLC was...
How can you design a business that’s built just for you?
Hi Reader! For the past few years, my goal has been to design a life I don’t need to escape from. One that I enjoy. And I’ve done a good job at doing that. I love puttering around in my RV, visiting beautiful places with Ozzy at my side, and spending slow days and quiet nights. I tell most people that I’m semi-retired. (Because that seems to raise fewer questions than the reality that I only want to work a few hours each day.) But to create this life, I’ve made some tradeoffs in how I run my...
Picking a name that won’t land you in legal hot water (Updated for the new USPTO search tools!)
Hi Reader! As I mentioned on Wednesday, in the updated second edition of Legal Roadmap for Your Creative Business, I completely re-vamped the chapter on doing a trademark search. I did this because this year, the USPTO revealed a brand-new tool to search the USPTO database, and there were some fancy new options that made it even easier to pick a business (or product/service) name that won’t land you in legal hot water. You can see all 4000+ words in the updated comprehensive guide to...
The only strategy you need for a legally secure creative business
Hi Reader! Do any of these resonate with you? "I’m embarrassed that I don’t understand this stuff—other people seem to have it all figured out." "Every time I think about legal stuff, I get overwhelmed and put it off. It’s a mental block." "The idea of sitting down and focusing on legal stuff gives me anxiety—I’m worried I won’t be able to keep up or understand it." "Whenever I look at a legal form or contract, I get frustrated and confused—it’s easier to avoid it than to deal with the...
Do you know your core business values?
Hi Reader! On December 5, 2011, I opened the doors of my law firm. For pretty much that whole first year, I was in a state of nervous excitement. That kind of nervous-excitement that makes you want to jump for joy and throw up all at the same time. One of the things I prioritized in that first year was doing tough foundational work in my business. I knew that doing this would help streamline my to-do list by helping me prioritize or eliminate things based on my goals. When I launched the...
"There are so many legal steps to think about—it’s overwhelming to even know where to begin."
Hi Reader! "There are so many legal steps to think about—it’s overwhelming to even know where to begin." Does that sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone—trust me. Running a creative business involves juggling lots of balls. And it won’t come as a surprise to either of us–many of those balls we just wish we could drop and never touch again. Sometimes it's because we don’t know where to start and the whole process feels overwhelming. Sometimes it’s because we just don’t enjoy the task all...
When is it time to register your trademark?
Hi Reader! Many small business owners jump the gun and waste money by registering their trademarks too soon. Or they register a trademark that only has weak protections and it doesn’t protect them in the way they hoped it would. And I hate to these things happen. So how - and when - do you know it’s the best time to register your trademark? How do you know you're in the sweet spot and it’s the best time to register a trademark? In this week’s blog post, I’m breaking down the three factors to...
Is Your Logo Protected? Here’s What You Need to Know!
Hi Reader! When you look at your logo, what do you see? Is it something you love? Does it represent everything you’ve poured into your business over the years? Does it reflect your clients or customers? A logo is more than just a pretty image—it’s the visual representation of your brand’s identity. It tells the world who you are, what you stand for, and what makes your business unique. But if someone designs a logo that’s a little too close for comfort, is your logo protected? That’s exactly...
Why watermarks don’t work: A better way to protect your content online
Hi Reader! In the voting for topics for the summer workshop series, several topics fell just short of being selected. To help out those of you who voted for those topics, I’ll also create blog post content for those runners-up this summer. One of those topics was related to the reality that any time you post content online you have to do with the knowledge that someone might use it without your consent. And sadly, the only way to protect yourself from the potential of copycats stealing your...
Giving creative business owners actionable and practical tools and resources to protect their ass(ets) without legal confusion. Ready to add ease to the legalese? Then subscribe below.