Your trusted source for Iowa business and franchise law insights.
Your trusted source for Iowa business and franchise law insights.
Today’s Des Moines Register Business Section contained an article by Patt Johnson featuring the assistance provided by SCORE to local entrepreneurs. SCORE is made up of retired executives that mentor and counsel new entrepreneurs.
People generally think of SCORE in the context of their one day workshops for new entrepreneurs. However, it was also surprising…
The Use of Comp Time in Place of Overtime
Some employers decide to provide employees comp time instead of paying overtime. Under the law, employers are usually not allowed to provide only one hour of comp time for each hour of overtime. Instead, an employer may be able to give compensatory time if the overtime…
How to Name Your Iowa Business
The first step in naming your Iowa business is to make sure it is available for use. This requires a little homework. You need to make sure you are not infringing someone else’s business name.
To stay out of trouble you should first see if the name is available…
Start-Up Businesses Should Develop Solid Relationship with Business Attorney
It is a good idea for start-up businesses to develop a solid relationship with a business attorney. Hiring an attorney is usually not as expensive as entrepreneurs imagine. In many instances entrepreneurs may try to set up their own incorporations through online resources but boilerplate article…
Employers Face Overtime Lawsuits
According to Business Law Today and the Washington Post lawyers for big businesses around the country are working overtime to protect corporate giants facing lawsuits for failing to pay overtime to rank-and-file employees.
As discussed in an article by Stephen Franklin of the Chicago Tribune, cases against State Farm Mutual…
Top Ten Steps for Business Start-Ups
In her column this week Rhonda Abrams, a nationally syndicated small business consultant, sets out the top ten steps for business start-ups.
Abrams says this is what most entrepreneurs ACTUALLY do:
1. Choose a business name.
2. Get business cards.
3. Search the Internet for information and advice.…
According to an annual survey released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Iowa’s legal system ranks No. 4 in the nation. Iowa has ranked in the top five each of the last three years.
The five top states for overall legal fairness according to the survey are Delaware, Nebraska, Virginia, Iowa and Connecticut.
The survey…
If you are in the process of starting your own business or interested in starting one I suggest reading the following Entrepreneur article entitled Small-Business Myths Busted.
I recently read an article from AllBusiness. The article states that buying an existing business is less risky than starting a new business. The article says there is a lot to say for a proven idea and existing customers.
But watch out when buying an existing business. An existing business may not be worth…
When you buy a business you should consider setting up a corporation or limited liability company (LLC) to buy the business. You should avoid signing any contracts, loan agreements and leases in your personal name. In certain cases you may be required to personally guarantee the loan or other debts but it is still recommended…