Blog for Florida Small Business
Our monthly blog provides useful information for the small business owner aimed at helping you build and protect your business.
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Disorganization Causes Legal Problems
MindsetIt’s exhausting sometimes, I know. Being a small business owner is not for the weak-of-heart. There are a million things to do…
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The Annoyance of Employment Posters – Why does this have to be so difficult?
Worker RelationshipsAs an employer, I’m sure you are aware of the ever-growing rules related to employees. One of the most recent here in…
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Ownership Changes Part 3: Promoting an Employee
Owner RelationshipsThis is the third post in a series about the legal and technical ways that a new owner is added to a…
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Ownership Changes Part 2: Adding an Owner
Owner RelationshipsThis post is the second in a series addressing the legal and technical ways that a new owner is added to a…
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What’s more complicated than selling or buying a house? Selling or buying a BUSINESS!
Buying or Selling a BusinessWhen it comes time to sell your business, or if you’re buying a business, the process can seem very intimidating. It’s helpful…
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New Requirement for Businesses: There’s an update to Florida law for “new hire” reporting – and it now applies to independent contractors.
Regulatory ComplianceSection 409.2576, Florida Statutes – State Directory of New Hires Goes Into Effect on October 1, 2021 What does the payment of…
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Do you work from home? Do you have employees who work from home?
Regulatory ComplianceThere’s a new Florida law for “home-based” businesses. Section 559.955, Florida Statutes Effective July 1, 2021 As small business owners, it can feel…
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Breakups are Hard – Case Studies on Business Divorces
Owner RelationshipsBreakups are hard. Even ones that are smooth, well planned and everyone behaves, business partner breakups are emotionally draining. For those that…
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Do You Own It? Be sure you own it before you use it or sell it.
Intellectual Property100% of small businesses create some type of intellectual property. What does your business create? Do you know who owns those creations? …
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Half-Formed Companies – The Pitfalls of Not Setting It Up Right
StartupsDo you have a half-formed business entity? Far too many small business owners are in this position and here are the reasons…
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How Do You Love a Business You’re Just Starting?
StartupsYou may be starting a new business – or maybe you’re starting another business – and you’re feeling the overwhelm that is…
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What is a trademark? What are the benefits of having a registered trademark?
Intellectual PropertyTrademarks are designed to protect consumers from being taken advantage of or misled into thinking they are buying products and services from…
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Do you have a “front side” and a “back side”? Of your Client Service Agreement, I mean!
Client RelationshipsThere are (or should be) two sides to your “service agreement” – the contract you give your clients to sign when they…
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How Should Small Businesses Handle Work-From-Home Employees?
Worker RelationshipsWhether your business already has employees, or you are just starting to hire employees, many small business owners are concerned about having…
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I Have Insurance, Why Do I Need a Service Contract Too?
Client RelationshipsAs an attorney for service providers, most of whom are professionals, I often get asked about insurance coverage. I hear this one…
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How Do You Take Risks in Your Business?
MindsetAs a business attorney, I’ve had the honor of being on the “inside” of so many businesses over the years. I get…
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Starting a New Business the “Right” Way
Startups“Begin with the end in mind.” That’s a quote form Stephen Covey in his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People….
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What Do You Get When a Government Contractor Wants to Sell a Business?
Buying or Selling a BusinessWe recently finished an interesting project for a client who is a government contractor. For confidentiality purposes, we aren’t going to disclose…
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How Do I Scale My Service Business?
MindsetHow do I scale my service business? Eventually most service business owners ask themselves if they might be able to make more…
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Collaboration not Competition
MindsetWARNING! I’m on my soapbox! I run across people all the time that act as if the marketplace is a warzone, look…
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Online Legal Forms vs. Business Attorney Advice
MindsetOccasionally we meet with a business owner who brings us a contract they downloaded online. They ask us, “is this ok to…
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What You Need to Know About Leasing Office Space
Vendor RelationshipsIn recent news: Jacksonville’s struggle with the Landing spotlights the plight of local businesses and the importance of having a good lease….
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Why Can’t I Fire My Vendor?
Vendor RelationshipsThis can be a daunting task. Especially for service professionals who have a lot of education under their belts, it may seem…
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Confessions of a Serial Planner
MindsetIn January, many of us get out our pencils and start thinking. We begin sketching out a plan for the new year…
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Building Better Business Relationships
MindsetAs service businesses, we rely heavily on relationships. There are relationships on the “front” side with our clients and customers, but there…
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What Contracts Really Are = RELATIONSHIPS!
MindsetContracts are a part of every business, but they are especially important for service-based businesses. Most people dread contracts and think of…
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Employee Issues: 3 Items on My Must Focus List
Worker RelationshipsAs we’re growing our team here at The Legal Department, it reminds me how important it is to keep up with certain…
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End of Year Checklist for Service Businesses
Entity StructureHere we are at the end of the year, winding down and getting ready to enjoy the holidays. As business owners, this…
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Do You Really Need a Written Contract with Your Client?
Client Relationships5 Reasons Why the Answer is YES Most of our clients are businesses that offer specialized services, so we help them focus…
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Think Copyrights Only Apply to Artists and Authors? Think Again.
Intellectual PropertyDo you own the copyright to your website? How about your logo? Do your employees write articles or blog posts for you?…
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Crossing Borders in the Dis-United States
Regulatory ComplianceIt’s daunting to think that there are 50 sets of rules to follow in business. Each state in our country has its…
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Is Your Business Prepared for a Disaster?
MindsetOur office weathered a hurricane last year with absolutely no damage, but a recent severe rainstorm caused a flood and threatened to…
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Where Are the Keys?
Buying or Selling a BusinessYou’ve just bought a business. Your business broker has handled the negotiations of the essential deal terms and has probably also helped…
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Estate Planning vs. Succession Planning
Owner RelationshipsWe recently had a death in our family, and as a business owner, it has made me stop and think. Being an…
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Do You Mingle or Co-Mingle?
Entity StructureNo, it doesn’t “all come from the same place anyway”! The biggest legal implication when it comes to managing business finances is…
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The Case of Disappearing Shields
Entity StructureA quick check on Sunbiz.org will show you that small business owners are allowing their limited liability shields to disappear. Are you…
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The Break-Up: How to Keep it Simple
Owner RelationshipsWhat happens if your business partner comes to you and says he wants out of the business? What if he demands that…
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5 Steps to Buying a Small Business
Buying or Selling a BusinessBuying a business is both exciting and scary. It’s exciting because of all of the potential that you see and you’ve probably…
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I Learned My Lesson: Not Every Hat Looks Good On Me
MindsetHere’s the thing about business owners (myself included): we just need to get things done. We will dig in, figure things out…
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Do Co-Founders Need an Engagement Ring?
StartupsI was recently asked about a founder’s agreement for a new business before they incorporated so I thought this would be a…
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Are You Keeping Your Business Legally Healthy?
Entity StructureIt’s the start of a fresh, brand new year! This is the time to do a general assessment of your business progress…
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Understanding the Costs of Commercial Leases
Vendor RelationshipsWhen a small business owner is considering renting a commercial property (whether it’s an office, retail space or a warehouse), it’s important…
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The Importance of Being Written: The Operating Agreement
Owner RelationshipsOne thing I’ve drafted consistently throughout my years in practice has been Operating Agreements. I love them. They are so important to…
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5 Common Mistakes with Commercial Leases
Vendor RelationshipsAlmost all brick and mortar business owners have had to wrestle with a commercial lease. They are long and confusing and full…
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Does your Business use Independent Contractors?
Worker RelationshipsIf your business hires independent contractors, you should be aware of recent actions taken by the federal government and state governments. The…
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Ownership Changes Part 4: Key Terms
Owner RelationshipsIn the final post in this series, we’re going to discuss some key terms in an ownership agreement – called an “Operating…
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Ownership Changes Part 1: Taking On an Investor
Owner RelationshipsWith One Spark 2015 just around the corner, it’s a good time to think about what it means to add an owner…
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PROTECT THE DATA! More Regulations on Businesses
Regulatory ComplianceThe Florida legislature has decided to take a more aggressive approach to identity theft. A new law that went into effect on…
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First And Twelfth
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OM Studios
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Walk-in Wedding Chapel
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Triedata Inc
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SightHealth Primary Eyecare
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Debra Hill
