A young entrepreneur recently came to see me for some very basic, but extremely important advice. He had read many articles and watched videos on the Internet about maintaining corporate protections. He had realized pretty quickly that running a successful business requires careful planning and organization, especially when it comes to managing finances. One critical
Incorporation and LLC Formation
Navigating the Landscape of the Corporate Transparency Act
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) is part of sweeping Congressional changes to anti-money laundering laws. Starting January 1, 2024, the CTA will require most small businesses and corporate entities to file a Beneficial Ownership Information Report with the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
Initial reports for existing businesses (those created prior…
Nine Tips in Buying an Existing Business from a Legal Perspective
Buying an existing business is often a great opportunity for would-be business owners. It is a way to skip the early stages of business development and hit the ground running. However, before making any serious decisions, it is important to understand the legal implications involved in buying an existing business. There are many legal issues…
Six Major Benefits to Prospective Franchisees in Having a Franchise Attorney Review the Franchise Disclosure Document
You’re convinced that owning a business is your true calling in life, and you decide to invest in a franchise. But before putting pen to paper, you should do your due diligence and understand all the risks and rewards that come with that decision. One essential step is to review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)…
5 TIPS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH A LEGAL OR BUSINESS CRISIS
One of the biggest concerns that business owners have is dealing with a legal or business crisis. Whether it is a lawsuit, a data breach, or other sensitive issues, a crisis can greatly impact a business. In fact, it is not unusual for many businesses to close within a year of experiencing a crisis. Knowing…
Four Top Things to Consider in a Franchisor when Buying a Franchise
Thinking about buying a franchise?
Franchises can be a great way to start your own business. They offer the benefits of being your own boss with the support and resources of a larger organization. But there are some things you need to think about before making the decision to buy a franchise including the financial…
How to Successfully Plan Succession of Your Business
If you are a business owner who is looking to sell or transfer your business, then it is important to understand the importance of effective succession planning. Succession planning helps ensure the future of your business is bright and secure, regardless of who owns it. Let’s break down what succession planning entails and how it…
Is it Possible to Find a Franchise Side Hustle?
You may want to own your own business but you also don’t want to quit your day job. Is it possible to find the elusive extra income to add to your bottom line and possibly even give you the freedom to quit your job in the future?
Why the Franchise Industry Has it Wrong
I have reviewed hundreds of franchise disclosure documents (FDDs) and franchise agreements at this point in my career. And mostly, my review always solicits one question in my mind:
Do franchisors need these overwhelmingly restrictive franchise agreements?
Most FDDs and franchise agreements disclaim just about any real obligation to do anything on behalf of franchisees.
When Forming a Business Deal Be Sure to Get It in Writing
A business owner approaches you to invest in his business. He comes up with an idea to “sell” a portion of his equity in the business. You listen to the business owner’s pitch and likes the idea. You decides to invest in exchange for “ownership.” The problem? Nothing is in writing, you have invested the…