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 headache."

Do other creatives make it look like they have it all figured out? The reality is that most of them don’t or if they do, they most likely are using some variation of the strategy I’m about to share with you. I call it the Legal Roadmap for your Creative Business.​

So grab a cup of coffee and let’s chat about how to handle all this legal stuff without feeling so overwhelmed.

First off, let me share that this roadmap isn’t only for six- or seven-figure businesses. It’s a path to creating a legally secure business from Day 1 (or wherever you are today).

It’s not a one-size-fits-all formula but a flexible strategy you decide how to execute based on your current business goals.

To put it simply, Legal Roadmap for your Creative Business is a strategy to protect your ass(ets) without legal confusion.

Ready? Let’s dig in.

Legal Roadmap Map #1: Create a one-sheet plan

Over the last fifteen years, I’ve worked with thousands of creative businesses.

Watching all of these businesses, I noticed a common theme: those who succeed have a strong business foundation so they can seize big breaks when they happen.

And one of those foundational pieces is having a business plan. Because a plan, even one that’s a rough sketch, helps you set a goal or destination.

As Alice learned in Wonderland if you don’t have a destination in mind, any path will get you there, but it might not be where you want to go.

So the first map in the Legal Roadmap for your Creative Business helps you to create a one-sheet business plan that you can use to guide your business decisions (and simplify and streamline your business).

And once you have it, you’ll be able to use it to decide,

“Is this opportunity or idea something that will help me get closer to my version of success? Or will it take me farther away from where I want to go?”

It gives you a permission slip to ignore the latest trend, expert advice, or platform if it won’t help you achieve your goals.

In this detailed blog post, I share the 10 questions, why it won’t be perfect, and how to get my feedback on your plan.

Legal Roadmap Map #2: Do enough legal stuff

This is the section of the strategy that is most important. And the one that many creatives who have been in business for a decade or more haven’t done.

And that’s making sure you have the bare minimum legal tasks accomplished.

These six tasks will minimize the biggest legal risks your creative business faces.

So what are these six tasks?

• ​Make sure your business name won’t land you in hot water​
• ​Pick the right legal type​
• ​Determine what permits and licenses your business needs​
• ​Get your financial house in order​
• ​Get business liability insurance​
• ​Create a simple contract​

Legal Roadmap Map #3: Achieve your goals

Once you handle these bare minimum legal tasks, you only need to tackle legal projects if they will help you achieve your current business goals.

This is why the third phase of Legal Roadmap for your Creative Business is to help you create a personalized legal to-do list of only those items that will get you closer to your goals.

This map is the one that you’ll continue to use for the life of your business. Yes, you’ll make changes to your one-sheet business plan, but this map will continue to guide you as you set new goals in your business.

If you are ready to grab your copy of Legal Roadmap for your Creative Business and implement this strategy, you can buy the new second edition (both print and Kindle) available as of today on Amazon.

Chat soon,

P.S. The new second edition doesn't just have amazing illustrations and cover art from Elly Walton, but it also has a completely updated chapter on trademark searches. Grab your copy here.

❤️ Easy to understand legal resources should be available to every creative, regardless of their financial situation. If one of my resources has helped you and you would like to say “thank you”, you can make a contribution here. ❤️