It has taken longer than I had hoped but my November goal is to lauch the Interactive Learning Environment for clients and others interested in employment law compliance and training, franchising basics and starting up your business. Our initial free program will include a Legal Guidebook on Starting Your Iowa Business. Gradually, we will release more and
Forum on Franchising This Week in Austin
The ABA’s Forum on Franchising is this week in Austin, Texas. Another all-star lineup features an intensive program about learning from mistakes under the new FTC rule. Again, there are several other terrific programs. One of the more interesting talks is about franchising in the BRIC markets. (Brazil, Russia, India and China). Like the US, those markets have experienced an economic downturn. How will that impact franchising development in those
Tips for Starting Your Business in Iowa
Juice Magazine recently interviewed me for an article on how to start your own business. I offered the following tips to new business owners:
- Get agreements in writing up front, whether it’s a few hundred dollars or larger.
- Small business centers are a good place for people to start. It’s often a good place for people to go
New Franchise Disclosure Document
The Ohio Practical Business Law Blog examines the new Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) a recent post. The new FDD rules began in earnest on July 1, 2008.
Previously I posted on some of the key differences between the old UFOC rule and the new FDD rule including:
- Use of unaudited financial statements. Start-up franchisors may phase-in the use of audited financial
Midwest Small Business Conference Canceled
I received word today from conference organizers that the inaugural Midwest Small Business Conference has been canceled.
Hopefully organizers can give it try again next year. I thought it was a great lineup. Too bad it didn’t fly.
Franchise Growth Threatened Without Bailout?
The bailout is not universally popular with Main Street America but the International Franchise Association says a bailout is needed because our credit crisis "threatens to derail the future growth of franchised businesses because it undermines the health of credit markets as well as equity markets."
There is no doubt Wall Street is hoping against all hope
Midwest Small Business Conference: October 10 & 11, 2008
The Midwest Small Business Conference is now set for October 10 & 11, 2008 at the Des Moines Marriott. This event is rescheduled from the previous announcement on this blog because the original date conflicted with the Iowa-Iowa State football game. (Conference organizers learned that not even business gets in the way of football). Fortunately the conference was able to
Rush on Business Featured in Alltop Franchising News
I am honored to be included among the Alltop franchising news selections. Some exciting things have been happening for me on the franchising front including developing the franchise disclosure document and franchise agreement for a new local franchisor, the opening of a client’s new Max Muscle franchise location just on Thursday and the completion of a franchise
Get Agreements in Writing
It’s so simple. Everybody knows you get agreements in writing, right?
Then tell me why so many people ignore this most important axiom in the business world.
Starting a Business: Review Your Mortgage
I connected this morning with Tyler Osby of Four Legacies Mortgage. I met Tyler through Twitter (you can follow him @tylerosby). I have been impressed with the breadth of information he provides. He uses Twitter in a very meaningful way by acting as a resource on the mortgage market.
Tyler brought up a great point today