Posts filed under Start-up

6 Pitfalls That Can Crush Your Business

In the military, they often say, “no plan survives first contact with the enemy”.  I think that is also applicable in business, where that saying should be amended to “no business plan survives first contact with reality”. Find out how to avoid six pitfalls that can easily crush your business.

What All Food Truck Owners MUST Do

But then a few years ago the gourmet food truck craze took off all around the country and everything changed... for the better! As the new movie Chef shows, food trucks were now being manned by individuals who were showing off their creativity by putting a new twist on the food they serve.  And members of the public who enjoy good food - like myself - could never be happier!  So if you are a chef that has something to offer the clamoring public, I say it's time to get your dreams on the road! Before you do though, (continue reading...)

Posted on May 16, 2014 and filed under Start-up.

Want To Protect Your Personal Assets? Simply Having A Corporation or LLC is NOT Always Enough

Back when I was a legal intern for a large law firm, I was asked to figure out a way to break the “corporate” veil of the company we were trying to sue. “Corporate veil”? What’s that?  It’s the thing that protects you from being held personally liable for the activities of your business.  This limited liability ensures that nobody can force you to use your house, your car, your personal savings, etc., to pay off the debts your business incurs. continue reading...

Posted on May 13, 2014 and filed under Start-up.

Should You Get Paid To Mentor Other Entrepreneurs?

Until I read Jessica Alter’s piece about formalizing the relationship one has with one’s business advisers (or mentors), it never even occurred to me to provide payment to the people who choose to work on my behalf.  So far, the adviser relationships are maintained by the bond of friendship (also, it doesn't hurt that my friends are also in the business of giving small business owners advice).  So, what should I do?  Should I formalize this relationship? Would a contractual relationship that entails duties, obligations & payment limit a friend’s ability to provide advice only when he is willing and able?  continue reading...

Posted on May 7, 2014 and filed under Contracts and Negotiation, Start-up.

Hiring a Lawyer: 5 Mistakes to Avoid

Having spent most of my life working in a legal setting, you would think that I could easily create a list of issues to consider when hiring an attorney. I’m sad to say, not so.  It’s one of those things where you focus on the technical aspects of a situation while overlooking the obvious, common-sense advice that most people need. continue reading...

Posted on March 15, 2014 and filed under Start-up, How To Choose A Lawyer.