Nicole Chamblin has owned her business for almost 20 years, and she has learned a thing or two about resilience along the way. From navigating the aftermath of 9/11, to pivoting her business after the 2008 financial crisis, to overcoming an unthinkable diagnosis, Nicole reveals how she was able to position her business to thrive and even expand during the toughest of times. This episode is packed with inspiration and wisdom to help your business navigate the toughest of times.
MORE ABOUT NICOLE CHAMBLIN:
Want more of Nicole? Check out: https://tinyurl.com/vpsnc
WORK WITH BEVEL LAW:
Your company needs a law firm that specializes in small business law. Learn more about Bevel Law and set up your first call: www.bevellaw.com/contact
CREDITS:
This episode was edited and produced by Bevel Law, with music by Lemon Music Studio and AlexGrohl (via Pixabay).
You can follow Bevel Law on Instagram. Say hi via email at hello@bevellaw.com.
Before Sam Testa was the owner of DC-based art and calligraphy studio Right Place Studios, she was a young girl growing up in Youngstown, Ohio, learning about art from her grandfather. Find out how she went from being a first grade teacher to becoming a successful professional artist and entrepreneur in Washington, D.C. You’ll hear how believing in herself helped her score big clients and how resilience has propelled through almost 15 years in business.
MORE ABOUT RIGHT PLACE STUDIOS:
Want more of Sam Testa? Check out Right Place Studios!
Website: https://www.rightplacestudio.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rightplacestudio
WORK WITH BEVEL LAW:
Your company needs a law firm that specializes in small business law. Learn more about Bevel Law and set up your first call: www.bevellaw.com/contact
CREDITS:
This episode was edited and produced by Bevel Law, with music by Lemon Music Studio and AlexGrohl (via Pixabay).
You can follow Bevel Law on Instagram. Say hi via email at hello@bevellaw.com.
Have you been in business for years, but have yet to have a conversation with a business lawyer or law firm? Are you mentally waiting for when you “need” legal help to start having these conversations? Too often, I see business owners waiting until something is urgent or broken in their business to start looking around for an attorney they might want to work with. At that point, they are stressed and anxious and frankly not in the best position to make an important hiring decision.
In this episode, I reveal why having early conversations with attorneys - even way before you might need one - is incredibly helpful. I also reveal how to approach these conversations and questions to ask along the way. Find out why engaging early can lower your own personal anxiety around seeking legal assistance and improve outcomes for your company as a whole.
Announcements: Get The Legal Upgrade™
If you want to finally get legally protected in your business so you can stop leaving money on the table and start sleeping better at night, schedule a call to see if The Legal Upgrade is right for you:www.bevellaw.com/contact
CREDITS
This episode was edited and produced by Bevel Law, with music by Lemon Music Studio (via Pixabay).
You can follow Bevel Law onInstagram. Say hi via email athello@bevellaw.com.
Have you ever thought: “maybe my lawyer can just send them a scary letter and that will solve the issue”? Today, I’m breaking down the false promise of the “one and done” cease and desist letter and explaining why this is not a winning legal strategy. Tune in to learn:
Announcements: Get The Legal Upgrade™
If you want to finally get legally protected in your business so you can stop leaving money on the table and start sleeping better at night, schedule a call to see if The Legal Upgrade is right for you: www.bevellaw.com/contact
CREDITS
This episode was edited and produced by Bevel Law, with music by Lemon Music Studio (via Pixabay).
You can follow Bevel Law on Instagram. Say hi via email at hello@bevellaw.com.
What happens if you use someone else’s content, brand or product in your own advertising? Do you need to get permission, or is this “fair use”? This week’s episode is inspired by an ongoing lawsuit between Atari and State Farm. Atari is suing State Farm over an ad that featured one of Atari’s arcade games and sparked negative comments from Atari fans.
What are the rules for using other companies’ IP for your own advertising purposes? In this episode, I’m breaking down some of the little-known legal rules of advertising. Tune in to learn how your company can create compelling ads without getting into legal trouble.
Announcements: Get The Legal Upgrade™
If you want to finally get legally protected in your business so you can stop leaving money on the table and start sleeping better at night, schedule a call to see if The Legal Upgrade is right for you: www.bevellaw.com/contact
CREDITS
This episode was edited and produced by Bevel Law, with music by Lemon Music Studio (via Pixabay).
You can follow Bevel Law on Instagram. Say hi via email at hello@bevellaw.com.
There has been a lot of press recently about a new federal rule that finally allows McDonalds to fix its own ice cream machines. This “Free the McFlurry” rule may seem random, but it’s at the heart of an issue that affects business owners everywhere.
Equipment and machinery is one of the most expensive investments you will make as a business owner. In fact, you may have even taken out loans to be able to afford the equipment and machinery that your business is using right now. What happens when that (often expensive) equipment breaks down? Equipment is often cheaper to repair rather than to replace, but federal laws can make getting a repair extremely difficult.
In this episode, we are talking about why it is sometimes so hard for business owners to get their equipment repaired and what you can do about it. This episode covers the legal reasons (the Digital Millennium Copyright Act) and the opposing perspectives of manufacturers vs. the Right To Repair movement.
No matter what type of business you have, you use some type of machine. Whether you are an accountant who uses a laptop, a dental office with adjustable chairs, a transportation company with a fleet of trucks, a farmer with a fleet of tractors or a spa with specialized treatment equipment. This is a topic that affects every business owner at every level. Tune it to learn what this new rule means for your rights and what it means for your business going forward.
Announcements: Get The Legal Upgrade™
If you want to finally get legally protected in your business so you can stop leaving money on the table and start sleeping better at night, schedule a call to see if The Legal Upgrade is right for you: www.bevellaw.com/contact
CREDITS
This episode was edited and produced by Bevel Law, with music by Lemon Music Studio (via Pixabay).
You can follow Bevel Law on Instagram. Say hi via email at hello@bevellaw.com.
Is your real life story better than fiction? Has anyone ever told you that your real life could be a successful movie or TV series?
You don’t have to be famous to have a story worth telling. I’m willing to bet that you had never heard of Anna Sorokin before Netflix made Inventing Anna. I bet you had no idea who Jordan Belfort is, but you still went to go see The Wolf of Wall Street. The list goes on - from Erin Brockovich to Chris Gardner (the real life person who inspired the movie, The Pursuit of Happyness).
True stories are big business. The Wolf of Wall Street has done over $400 in revenue and the musical Hamilton has done over $1 billion. Who would have thought that these niche stories could turn into lucrative opportunities?
In this episode, I’m breaking down four things to know when thinking about selling the rights to your life story.
Announcements: Get The Legal Upgrade™
If you want to finally get legally protected in your business so you can stop leaving money on the table and start sleeping better at night, schedule a call to see if The Legal Upgrade is right for you: www.bevellaw.com/contact
CREDITS
This episode was edited and produced by Bevel Law, with music by Lemon Music Studio (via Pixabay).
You can follow Bevel Law on Instagram. Say hi via email at hello@bevellaw.com.
Did you know you could potentially get reimbursed after a copyright lawsuit? Finances are often one of the key barriers to bringing a lawsuit. Even when a business owner has a legitimate claim and would be justified in suing, they might hesitate to take action for fear of the financial cost. Business owners can end up in a catch-22 where they see their ideas or their products being stolen, but they feel powerless to take action. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the finances behind copyright litigation and why one important exception could be a game changer for your business.
Announcements: Get The Legal Upgrade™
If you want to finally get legally protected in your business so you can stop leaving money on the table and start sleeping better at night, schedule a call to see if The Legal Upgrade is right for you: www.bevellaw.com/contact
CREDITS
This episode was edited and produced by Bevel Law, with music by Lemon Music Studio (via Pixabay).
You can follow Bevel Law on Instagram. Say hi via email at hello@bevellaw.com.
Should you name your business after yourself? Is it a good idea for you and your business to share the same name? As a trademark lawyer, I get this question often. Of course, there are plenty of very successful businesses that share a first name, last name, or both with their original founders. Well-known examples include Ben & Jerry’s, Abercrombie & Fitch and Giorgio Armani. While this can be a successful branding strategy, there are some pitfalls to be aware of.
In this episode, I break down the pros, the cons and the pitfalls of naming a business after yourself.
Announcements: Get The Legal Upgrade™
If you want to finally get legally protected in your business so you can stop leaving money on the table and start sleeping better at night, schedule a call to see if The Legal Upgrade is right for you: www.bevellaw.com/contact
CREDITS
This episode was edited and produced by Bevel Law, with music by Lemon Music Studio (via Pixabay).
You can follow Bevel Law on Instagram. Say hi via email at hello@bevellaw.com.
Should your business pay people to leave good reviews? Can you program a bot to watch your content so that it looks like your company has more reach? Should you ask parents, employees and friends to leave Google Reviews?
On August 22nd of this year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a final rule banning fake reviews, fake testimonials and other fake indicators of customer satisfaction. The rule goes into effect this October, so businesses have a short window to understand what they can do and what they can’t do under this new rule.
In this episode, I am breaking down this new FTC law and explaining why companies still have plenty of options for protecting their interests when it comes to both positive and negative consumer reviews.
Announcements: Get The Legal Upgrade™
If you want to finally get legally protected in your business so you can stop leaving money on the table and start sleeping better at night, schedule a call to see if The Legal Upgrade is right for you: www.bevellaw.com/contact
CREDITS
This episode was edited and produced by Bevel Law, with music by Lemon Music Studio (via Pixabay).
You can follow Bevel Law on Instagram. Say hi via email at hello@bevellaw.com.
How do you protect your brand when you have international clients and customers? Is there such a thing as an “international trademark”? How would you go about protecting your trademark abroad?
It used to be that only large companies had to worry about international trademark protection, but increasingly I am meeting even solopreneuers with international reach and international client rosters.
In this episode, I am breaking down how international trademarks work and how to know if you might need one. This episode is for any business owner, small or large, who has clients or customers outside of their home country.
Announcements: Get The Legal Upgrade™
If you want to finally get legally protected in your business so you can stop leaving money on the table and start sleeping better at night, schedule a call to see if The Legal Upgrade is right for you: www.bevellaw.com/contact
CREDITS
This episode was edited and produced by Bevel Law, with music by Lemon Music Studio (via Pixabay).
You can follow Bevel Law on Instagram. Say hi via email at hello@bevellaw.com.
Can you still get a trademark even if you don’t have a cool product name? Let’s say you make an amazing gluten free sourdough, but you don’t have a unique name for it, it’s just your version of a gluten free sourdough. Or maybe you make unique and luxurious spa products, but you simply call them what they are; like “bath salts” or “foot soaks”. What are your trademark options for these types of products?
Earlier this year, popular restaurant Momofuku faced public outcry when it applied to register “chili crunch” as a trademark. Many people felt that chili crunch was just a generic name for a common Asian-style condiment. How can companies protect their products when they want to use a name that people will understand, but this means using a name that may be seen as common?
There ARE trademark strategies that companies can use in this situation. This episode is for businesses and brands, but also for marketing firms and branding experts who are in charge of picking the perfect product name. Tune in to learn key strategies for trademarking in these special circumstances.
Announcements: Get The Legal Upgrade™
If you want to finally get legally protected in your business so you can stop leaving money on the table and start sleeping better at night, schedule a call to see if The Legal Upgrade is right for you: www.bevellaw.com/contact
CREDITS
This episode was edited and produced by Bevel Law, with music by Lemon Music Studio (via Pixabay).
You can follow Bevel Law on Instagram. Say hi via email at hello@bevellaw.com.
At the beginning of August 2024, Tik Tok creator Jools Lebron went viral for her series of “Very Demure” videos. By August 20th, someone else had applied to trademark “Very Demure…Very Mindful…”. This set off a firestorm in the news as everyone wanted to know:
In this episode, I’m answering all of these questions and more. This episode is for influencers, creators and their teams to understand what it takes to protect intellectual property.
Announcements: Get The Legal Upgrade™
If you want to finally get legally protected in your business so you can stop leaving money on the table and start sleeping better at night, schedule a call to see if The Legal Upgrade is right for you: www.bevellaw.com/contact
CREDITS
This episode was edited and produced by Bevel Law, with music by Lemon Music Studio (via Pixabay).
You can follow Bevel Law on Instagram. Say hi via email at hello@bevellaw.com.
Just because you paid someone to do a job, does not mean you own the work. Has your startup hired developers to create an app or a software platform? Did your business hire a graphic designer to create a logo or brand visuals? Did your fashion brand hire a designer to create next season’s line? If the person your business is working with is an independent contractor, then your business might not own what you think it owns. In this episode, I explain how to correctly hire and work with contractors so that your business walks away with the legal ownership that it needs to operate.
Announcements: Get The Legal Upgrade™
If you want to finally get legally protected in your business so you can stop leaving money on the table and start sleeping better at night, schedule a call to see if The Legal Upgrade is right for your business: www.bevellaw.com/contact
CREDITS
This episode was edited and produced by Bevel Law, with music by Lemon Music Studio (via Pixabay).
You can follow Bevel Law on Instagram. Say hi via email at hello@bevellaw.com.
Unless you are independently wealthy, you’ve probably wondered how you can get outside funding for your business. You’ve probably wondered how you can get money for your business that did not come from your bank account and that did not require you having to sell things. In this episode, I cover five options for business funding: gifts, grants, loans, crowdfunding and investors. Not only that, I cover some common legal pitfalls that business owners fall into when trying to raise funding.
Announcements: Get The Legal Upgrade™
If you want to finally get legally protected in your business so you can stop leaving money on the table and start sleeping better at night, schedule a call to see if The Legal Upgrade is right for your business: www.bevellaw.com/contact
CREDITS
This episode was edited and produced by Bevel Law, with music by Lemon Music Studio (via Pixabay).
You can follow Bevel Law on Instagram. Say hi via email at hello@bevellaw.com.
How do you find a business lawyer who is actually legit? What are some red flags to be aware of when trying to hire a law firm? The good news is that there is a method to the madness! In this episode, I reveal key things to look for (and key things to avoid) when trying to find the perfect law firm for your business.
Announcements: Get The Legal Upgrade™
If you want to finally get legally protected in your business so you can stop leaving money on the table and start sleeping better at night, schedule a call to see if The Legal Upgrade is right for your business: www.bevellaw.com/contact
CREDITS
This episode was edited and produced by Bevel Law, with music by Lemon Music Studio (via Pixabay).
You can follow Bevel Law on Instagram. Say hi via email at hello@bevellaw.com.
If you are paying people to create content for your business, how do you know they haven’t copied it from somewhere else? How do you know that the content you just paid for isn’t going to get you in trouble with copyright laws? As business owners, we have a constant need for content - both client/customer facing content, and materials to use in our own marketing and advertising. This week, I’m breaking down the truth about “royalty free” websites and the hidden pitfalls for business owners. This episode will leave you equipped to dialogue with your in-house team and even outside contract artists and designers so they know how to create content that elevates your business instead of putting it in jeopardy.
Announcements: Get The Legal Upgrade™
If you want to finally get legally protected in your business so you can stop leaving money on the table and start sleeping better at night, schedule a call to see if The Legal Upgrade is right for your business: www.bevellaw.com/contact
CREDITS
This episode was edited and produced by Bevel Law, with music by Lemon Music Studio (via Pixabay).
You can follow Bevel Law on Instagram. Say hi via email at hello@bevellaw.com.
As a business owner, contracts are the most common way that your business interacts with the law. You are constantly signing contracts and asking other people to sign your contracts, but are these agreements actually giving you legal protection? This week, I’m breaking down three things that every business owner should know about business contracts and how they work in the real world. This is a super helpful episode for business owners who want to be better advocates for themselves and their business.
Announcements: Get The Legal Upgrade™
If you want to finally get legally protected in your business so you can stop leaving money on the table and start sleeping better at night, schedule a call to see if The Legal Upgrade is right for your business: www.bevellaw.com/contact
CREDITS
This episode was edited and produced by Bevel Law, with music by Lemon Music Studio (via Pixabay).
You can follow Bevel Law on Instagram. Say hi via email at hello@bevellaw.com.
Should you have your contractors sign a non-compete agreement? If you are starting to hire and build a team, you’ve probably wondered what types of Agreements you should have people sign. One popular, but controversial, type of agreement is the non-compete. This week, I’m breaking down what a non-compete is, why people use it, and the pros and cons. This is a super helpful episode for anyone who is building (or thinking about building) a team.
Announcements: Get The Legal Upgrade™
If you want to finally get legally protected in your business so you can stop leaving money on the table and start sleeping better at night, schedule a call to see if The Legal Upgrade is right for your business: www.bevellaw.com/contact
CREDITS
This episode was edited and produced by Bevel Law, with music by Lemon Music Studio (via Pixabay).
You can follow Bevel Law on Instagram. Say hi via email at hello@bevellaw.com.
This week giving you an inside look into something that tends to freak business owners out: cease and desist letters! If you’ve been in business long enough, maybe you have gotten one of these before. Getting a cease and desist is not fun, but it’s one of those things that business owners have to deal with. Don’t let that unexpected piece of paper get the best of you. Today, I’m revealing key strategies for taking these on.
Announcements: Get The Legal Upgrade™
If you want to finally get legally protected in your business so you can stop leaving money on the table and start sleeping better at night, schedule a call to see if The Legal Upgrade is right for your business: www.bevellaw.com/contact
CREDITS
This episode was edited and produced by Bevel Law, with music by Lemon Music Studio (via Pixabay).
You can follow Bevel Law on Instagram. Say hi via email at hello@bevellaw.com.