April 11, 2026
Trademark Attorney vs. Online Filing Services
Filing a trademark looks simple on the surface. You pick a name, fill out some forms, pay a fee, and wait. That is the version you see in ads for online filing services. And to be…
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Browse 158 articles tagged with Business.
April 11, 2026
Trademark for Startup Founders | Surge Business Law
You have spent months picking the perfect name. You bought the domain. You designed the logo. You started building a customer base. Then one morning, an attorney's letter lands in…
April 7, 2026
Protect Your LLC: Operating Agreement Provisions for Absent Partners
You and your business partner are excited. You have a great idea, complementary skills, and big plans. The last thing on your mind is what happens if one of you stops showing up.…
April 7, 2026
Absentee LLC Member? Your Legal Options for Dealing with an Inactive Partner
You started a business with someone you trusted. You split the work, pooled your money, and filed the LLC paperwork together. Then, somewhere along the way, your partner stopped s…
April 7, 2026
AI in HR: How Automated Tools Create Pregnancy Discrimination Risk
AI tools are showing up in every part of the hiring and management process. Resume screeners, scheduling algorithms, performance scoring systems, and attendance trackers all promi…
April 7, 2026
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: Employer Guide
If your business has 15 or more employees, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) applies to you. It took effect in June 2023, and the EEOC finalized its regulations in 2024. Th…
April 7, 2026
The First 72 Hours After a Data Breach: A Business Owner's Guide
You just found out that your business data has been compromised. Customer records, employee information, financial data. Something got out. Your stomach drops. Now what? The next…
April 7, 2026
Cybersecurity Compliance for Small Businesses: What You Actually Need
If you run a small business that handles customer data, credit card numbers, or health records, you have legal obligations around cybersecurity. The size of your company does not…
April 7, 2026
Shadow AI Is a Legal Risk for Your Business, Not Just an IT Problem
Your employees are probably using AI tools right now. They are pasting customer data into ChatGPT, running financial projections through free AI apps, and summarizing client commu…
April 7, 2026
Data Breach Law: What Small Businesses Must Know
If your business collects customer names, Social Security numbers, credit card data, or even login credentials, you are holding information that state law requires you to protect.…
April 7, 2026
Texas Business License Requirements for Small Businesses (2026)
Here is the most important thing to understand about starting a business in Texas: forming your LLC or corporation with the Secretary of State does not mean you are fully licensed…
April 6, 2026
Adding a Co-Owner to Your LLC? What to Know First
Adding a co-owner to your LLC can be one of the best things you ever do for your business. A strong partner brings capital, skills, and shared responsibility. But it can also be o…
March 20, 2026
Trademark Class 44: Medical, Beauty & Agricultural Services
When you build a brand around a medical practice, a beauty salon, or an agricultural consulting service, that brand deserves the same legal protection as any other business asset.…
March 20, 2026
Trademark Class 33: Wine, Spirits & Alcoholic Beverages
If you produce wine, craft spirits, whiskey, vodka, gin, rum, tequila, liqueur, or alcoholic cocktail mixers, your brand name and label design are business assets worth protecting…
March 20, 2026
Trademark Class 35: Business Services, Advertising & Retail
When you file a federal trademark application, one of the most consequential decisions you make is choosing the right class of goods or services. International Class 35 is one of…
March 20, 2026
Federal vs. State Trademark: Which Does Your Business Need?
You have built your brand from scratch. The name on your sign, your logo, the way customers recognize you on sight. Now someone else is using it, or could start tomorrow. What sto…
March 20, 2026
How to Trademark Your Business Name, Logo, or Slogan
You have built something worth protecting. Your business name, logo, or slogan is not just a label. It is the shorthand for every good experience a customer has had with you. When…
March 20, 2026
Trademark Class 25: Clothing, Apparel & Footwear Brands
If you sell branded clothing, footwear, or headwear, your trademark application will almost certainly live in International Class 25. Getting the class right from the start matter…
March 20, 2026
Trademark Class 29: Food, Meat, Dairy and Eggs
If you produce meat, dairy, eggs, canned goods, or specialty food products, your brand name deserves protection. International Class 29 is the trademark category that covers most…
March 20, 2026
Trademark Class 9: Software, Apps, and Technology
If you build software, develop apps, sell electronic hardware, or distribute downloadable content, your brand likely needs protection under International Class 9. This is one of t…
March 20, 2026
Trademark and IP for Franchisees: What You Own
When you buy a franchise, you are not buying a brand. You are buying the right to use a brand, under specific conditions, for a limited time. That distinction matters more than mo…
March 20, 2026
Got a USPTO Office Action? Here's What to Do Next
If you just received a letter from the USPTO about your trademark application, take a breath. An office action is not a denial, and it does not mean your brand is unprotectable. I…
March 20, 2026
Trademark Registration Cost: USPTO Fees and Payment Plans
You built something worth protecting. Your brand name, your logo, the identity you have spent months or years developing. Now you are wondering whether a trademark is worth the co…
March 20, 2026
Trademark Strategy for Austin Startups | Surge Business Law
Austin's startup scene moves fast. New companies launch every week, venture money flows in, and a brand that took months to build can become a liability overnight if someone else…
March 20, 2026
Trademark vs. Copyright vs. Patent: Which Does Your Business Need?
You have spent real time building your business. The name, the logo, the product, the process you figured out through trial and error. But when someone asks whether you have prote…
March 13, 2026
Employee Handbook Basics for Texas Small Businesses
No Texas law requires you to have an employee handbook. That’s true and also somewhat beside the point. What a handbook does is answer the questions employees will have, set the e…
March 13, 2026
Texas Wage Claims: What to Do When an Employee Files a…
A notice from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) telling you an employee has filed a wage claim requires an immediate response, not because it’s an emergency, but because Texas…
March 13, 2026
Texas Independent Contractor Compliance Guide for Small…
If your business uses independent contractors, you’re managing legal risk whether you know it or not. The classification question doesn’t resolve itself because you signed a 1099…
March 13, 2026
How to Legally Fire an Employee in Texas
Texas is an at-will employment state. That means you can terminate an employee for any reason or no reason, as long as the reason isn’t an illegal one. What it doesn’t mean is tha…
March 13, 2026
Commission Agreements: What Small Business Owners Need to…
Commission pay is common in small businesses, salespeople, project managers, recruiters, service providers, and roles where tying compensation to results makes sense. It’s also on…
March 13, 2026
Hiring Contractors in a Healthcare Practice: HIPAA BAAs a…
Healthcare practices face an employment question that other businesses do not: every time you bring on a contractor who will touch patient information, you have two separate legal…
March 13, 2026
Employee Handbook Basics for Iowa Small Businesses
No Iowa law requires you to have an employee handbook. That’s true and also somewhat beside the point. What a handbook actually does is answer the questions employees will have, s…
March 13, 2026
Iowa Wage Claims: What to Do When an Employee Files a…
A letter from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) telling you an employee has filed a wage claim requires an immediate response, not because it’s an…
March 13, 2026
Protecting Your Business When an Employee Leaves: Non-Sol…
Most small business owners don’t think about post-employment protections until after someone has left. A key employee joins a competitor, starts their own competing business, or t…
March 13, 2026
What to Do When an Employee Is Stealing or Committing Fra…
Finding out an employee has been stealing from you, money, client data, company photos, or billing for services never rendered, is one of the most disorienting things that happens…
March 13, 2026
Iowa Independent Contractor Compliance Guide for Small…
If your business uses independent contractors, you’re managing legal risk whether you know it or not. The classification question doesn’t resolve itself because you signed a 1099…
March 13, 2026
How to Legally Fire an Employee in Iowa
Iowa is an at-will employment state. That means you can terminate an employee for any reason or no reason, as long as the reason isn’t an illegal one. What it doesn’t mean is that…
March 13, 2026
Hiring Your First Employee: Paperwork, Pay Structures, an…
The decision to hire your first employee is usually exciting and immediately followed by a low-grade panic about what you’re supposed to do next. Federal forms, state registration…
March 13, 2026
1099 vs W2: A Business Owner's Guide to Worker Classifica…
You found someone who can do the work. Now you need to decide how to pay them. Choosing between a 1099 independent contractor and a W2 employee feels like a payroll question, but…
March 11, 2026
What to Do After You Buy a Business: Post-Closing Checklist
Closing day isn't the finish line. It's the starting line. If you're wondering what to do after you buy a business, the first 30-90 days are critical. You need to transfer ownersh…
March 11, 2026
How to Buy Out a Business Partner: A Legal Guide
Buying out a business partner is one of the most common, and most emotionally charged, business transactions. Whether you're parting ways amicably or dealing with a difficult situ…
March 11, 2026
How to Buy a Franchise: Legal Considerations Every Buyer Should Know
Buying a franchise is different from buying an independent business. You're not just acquiring assets and customers. You're entering a legal relationship with a franchisor that go…
March 11, 2026
Buying a Business with an SBA Loan: What Buyers Need to Know
The SBA 7(a) loan program is the most common financing tool for small business acquisitions. The SBA doesn't lend money directly, it guarantees a portion of the loan made by a par…
March 11, 2026
Seller Financing When Buying a Business: How It Works
Seller financing is one of the most common ways to fund a small business acquisition. The seller agrees to receive part (or all) of the purchase price over time instead of getting…
March 11, 2026
Creative Financing Options for Buying a Business: 8 Strategies
Not every business acquisition is funded by a single bank loan. In practice, most small business deals use a combination of financing sources, and the more creative you are about…
March 11, 2026
How to Buy a Business with No Money Down: What's Actually Possible
"Buy a business with no money down" is one of the most searched phrases in business acquisition. It's also one of the most misleading. Can you buy a business without putting up ca…
March 11, 2026
How to Negotiate the Purchase of a Business: A Buyer's Playbook
The asking price is where negotiation starts, not where it ends. In most small business acquisitions, the final deal looks meaningfully different from the initial offer, and not j…
March 11, 2026
Letter of Intent to Buy a Business: What to Include
A Letter of Intent (LOI) is the document that moves a business acquisition from "interested" to "serious." It outlines the basic terms you and the seller are agreeing to before ei…
March 11, 2026
What to Look for When Buying a Business: Red Flags and Green Flags
Not every business for sale is a good deal. Some are overpriced. Some have problems the seller isn't disclosing. And some look like problems on paper but are actually excellent op…
March 11, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Buy a Business? Complete Breakdown
The purchase price is just one part of what you'll spend when buying a business. There are legal fees, due diligence costs, financing charges, license transfers, and working capit…
March 11, 2026
The Hidden Risks of Buying a Business Without a Lawyer
Some business buyers try to handle the transaction themselves to save money. They download a template purchase agreement, skip formal due diligence, and hope for the best. Sometim…
March 11, 2026
What Is an Asset Purchase Agreement? A Buyer's Guide
An Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) is the legal contract that governs the sale of a business. It defines exactly what you're buying, what you're paying, and what protections each s…
March 11, 2026
How to Do Due Diligence When Buying a Business: Complete Checklist
Due diligence when buying a business is the investigation you conduct after signing a Letter of Intent but before committing to the purchase. It's your one chance to verify the se…
March 11, 2026
How to Buy a Business: A Step-by-Step Legal Guide (2026)
Buying a business is one of the fastest ways to become a business owner, but the legal side of the transaction is where deals succeed or fall apart. A bad contract, missed liabili…
December 2, 2025
How to Make Your Iowa Business More Valuable (and Attract Better Buyers)
When you started your business, you were probably willing to take big risks. You launched something from scratch, figured things out as you went, and pushed through all the uncert…
December 1, 2025
Unlocking Your Small Business Value: Why SDE is Your Valuation North Star (and When to Forget EBITDA)
If you're a small business owner considering selling, you've probably heard the term "business valuation." And if you've done even a little research, you might have stumbled into…
November 17, 2025
How to Close a Business With Overwhelming Debt in Iowa
If your Iowa business is buried in debt, you’re not alone — and you still have options. Many small business owners believe bankruptcy is the only way out, but that’s not always tr…
October 19, 2025
How to Verify a Small Business’s Income Without Overspending on Due Diligence
You’ve found the perfect small business to buy, maybe an absentee-owner gas station, a local auto shop, or a cozy café. The broker sends over some initial point-of-sale reports an…
August 30, 2025
Texas SB 140 text message compliance for Small Businesses
Ready for Texas's New Texting Law? Avoid $5,000 Fines. .kb-row-layout-id83934_3b58ee-3b > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id83934_3b58ee-3b > .kt-ro…
August 30, 2025
Guide to Texas SB 140: Legislative Intent, the DTPA, Third-Party Liability, and Your Compliance Roadmap
The Ultimate Guide to Texas SB 140: Legislative Intent, the DTPA, Third-Party Liability, and Your Compliance Roadmap If your business sends text messages to anyone in Texas, Septe…
May 2, 2025
7 AI prompts to Help You Start a Business This Summer
Starting a business isn't that hard. While our firm helps people form LLCs and corporations, many business ideas can get off the ground without legal effort. The easiest businesse…
March 31, 2025
Is a Business Attorney Worth It? A Cost-Benefit Analysis for Entrepreneurs
Starting a business involves navigating complex legal waters that can significantly impact your success. As an entrepreneur, you may wonder if hiring a business attorney is necess…
March 14, 2025
Got Multiple Businesses? This is a Way to Shield your Assets!
Are your assets really protected? Even after getting business insurance and filing for an LLC with the state, business owners are often still exposed to risk of loss. Discover a w…
March 3, 2025
Is Your Iowa Business at Risk? How to File Your Biennial Report Before It’s Too Late
Filing your Iowa biennial report is crucial to keeping your business legally compliant. You can do it using our step-by-step video guide. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/wa…
February 20, 2025
Is Your S-Corp Costing You? The Benefits of Switching to an LLC with the IRS
Running an S-Corporation could be costing you in ways you didn’t expect. In what ways, you ask? Let’s break this down in this blog. Watch this video to learn how understandi…
January 10, 2025
Why was My Appointment Cancelled?
Surge Business Law helps many businesses. Because of our popularity we are often targeted by scammers. For that reason, we have tools and policies that can sometimes be a little a…
January 6, 2025
Transfer Business to Family Member: A Complete Guide
Transferring a business to a family member is a meaningful way to preserve your legacy and ensure the future success of your company. Whether you’re passing the torch to the next…
January 6, 2025
What Happens After a Demand Letter? Exploring Negotiation Packages
Receiving or sending a demand letter is often just the first step in resolving a business dispute. Whether it’s a partnership disagreement, a late payment, or a breach of contract…
January 6, 2025
My Business Received a Demand Letter—What Should I Do Next?
Receiving a demand letter can be unsettling, especially if you’re unsure how to respond. But rather than panic, it’s important to understand what a demand letter means and how you…
January 6, 2025
How Much Does a Lawyer Demand Letter Cost?
When legal disputes arise, a demand letter can be an effective way to resolve the issue without going to court. But how much should you expect to pay for this service? Understandi…
Business Buying or Selling a Business Contracts Legal Issues Starting a Business Tax Issues Starting a Business
January 6, 2025
Buying an Existing Business: Practical Legal Guide (2026)
Buying an existing business can be a fast way to become an owner. It can also be a fast way to inherit expensive problems if you skip the legal and financial checks. This guide gi…
January 2, 2025
Should You Use HELOC or SBA Loan?
Overwhelmed with how to finance your business especially when the choices are few? It can be hard to choose between a home equity line of credit loan (HELOC) or a small business a…
December 9, 2024
How Much to Sell a Business For: Determining Your Business’s Worth
One of the biggest questions any business owner faces when thinking about selling is, "How much is my business worth?" It’s an important question, and the answer can feel elusive—…
November 9, 2024
Proven Networking Tips to Accelerate Your Business Growth
In today's competitive landscape, have you ever felt like a small fish in a huge ocean? You're not alone—many small business owners share this struggle, especially when networking…
November 6, 2024
Does Algebra Play a Role in Business Success?
Is algebra necessary in running a business? If you’ve ever wondered about that, the short answer is YES. Watch this video to learn how math plays a crucial role in running a…
November 1, 2024
November is Tax Planning Month for Businesses
Don’t let the clock run out on your 2024 tax savings—November is the time to plan! As the year wraps up, November is the perfect month to take control of your taxes. Why? For busi…
October 31, 2024
What is a Registered Agent?
Because a registered agent helps your business run smoothly, it’s important for you to understand their role in your business. It’s a benefit to you. However, aside from a smooth-…
October 29, 2024
What to Include in Your LLC's Articles of Organization: How to File
Ready to launch your LLC? Here’s what you need to know first: File your LLC’s articles of organization. This is one of the most important steps in registering your LLC. Articles o…
October 17, 2024
Why Every LLC Needs a Business Operating Agreement
There is one document that could make or break your LLC’s future. Do you know what it is? If you're setting up an LLC, you've likely heard of an important document called a busine…
September 24, 2024
Preventing and Resolving Stakeholder Conflicts in Partnerships, LLCs, and Corporations
Dave Ramsey famously said that partnerships rarely work. The reason is that partnerships are so easy to form that often little effort is put into planning for conflicts. When you…
September 21, 2024
Can You Add an Owner to an LLC? Here’s What You Need to Know
LLCs can have multiple owners, even if initially there was only a single owner. When you add a co-owner to your LLC, you’re not just adding a name to the paperwork—you’re adding a…
September 19, 2024
Understanding Sublicensing: What It Is and Why It Matters
What is a sublicense? When you have the right to use someone else’s work and you want to allow a different person or company to also use it, that is a sublicense. This is a legall…
September 16, 2024
How Pricing for Profit Matters More Than a Competitive Bid
How do you avoid a loss when bidding for a project? Many service-based businesses, like contractors, often focus on competing for bids rather than pricing for profit. They believe…
September 13, 2024
Make Money from Your Ideas: A Guide to Intellectual Property Licensing and Assignments
You’ve invested heavily in your business – your brand, your processes, your ideas, and inventions… your intellectual property. These take time and money, and if others had access…
September 10, 2024
Why Being the Best in your Industry Could Still Lead to Business Closure
Can you be the best in your skills and still end up with a failed business? Yes. Skill alone doesn't translate to profit. While expertise in a craft—like fencing, painting or deck…
September 6, 2024
What could be better than DIY?
If you knew that running a profitable trade business could be streamlined using pre-built management and financial planning systems, would you use it? https://youtube.com/shorts/b…
September 3, 2024
Can You Launch a Business Successfully Without Breaking the Bank?
Ready to pursue a business? YOU CAN do it, even with limited to no money. Watch this video to learn how... https://youtu.be/aTE4Cip47_c What You Need to Start Starting…
August 31, 2024
How to Set a Price for a Product or Service
Tired of guessing what prices will work for your business? You cannot run your business through guesswork. You can’t even rely on bookkeeping tools to tell you what your exp…
August 29, 2024
Start Your Business the Right Way. How to Do Effective Planning and Financial Forecasting
Can you launch a business successfully without a business plan or financial forecast? It’s possible but your business will be at serious risk. Watch this video to learn why financ…
August 21, 2024
How to Confidently Set Higher Prices
How do you confidently set your business up for higher pricing? If you’re a business owner who often underbids their pricing to get the customer, watch this video. You’ll learn ho…
August 19, 2024
What Is a Personal Guarantee in Business?
Entrepreneurs often question whether to sign a personal guarantee for their business transactions when starting a new business. Watch this video for more information on what a per…
August 17, 2024
Subletting vs. Assigning - What’s the Difference ?
Understanding the difference between subletting and assigning is essential for tenants and landlords alike. This video explains what you should know. https://youtu.be/zaPoO7J6xTc…
August 15, 2024
Understanding Commercial and Residential Leases
Are you considering renting property but unsure of the differences between commercial and residential leases? Watch this video to discover the key differences. https://youtu.be/4_…
August 13, 2024
Should You Use an Attorney to Set Up an LLC for Real Estate?
Setting up a Limited Liability Company (LLC) for real estate ventures can be wise for investors looking to protect their assets and manage liabilities effectively. However, should…
August 11, 2024
How to Save Money When Starting a Business
Starting a business is thrilling yet can be costly. However, there are ways to keep your expenses in check. This video will give you an idea of how you can save money to start a b…
August 7, 2024
Handling Unemployment Benefit Claims and Wage Disputes
Unemployment benefit claims and wage disputes are challenging to deal with. It’s no wonder employers get confused and make mistakes in the process. Does this sound like you? Watch…
August 4, 2024
Does It Cost to Shut down My Business?
Is there a price tag on closing down your business? The short answer is, YES IT DOES have cost. Watch this video to know more details. https://youtu.be/yZlVHvhx_pk Let's delve int…
August 1, 2024
How Can My Company Offer a Scholarship?
Have you ever considered offering a scholarship through your company? Watch this video to help you decide if this is the right thing for your company to do. https://youtu.be/YIcF1…
July 28, 2024
Smart Spending: Maximizing Return on Investment for Your Business
How can you tell if a business expense is maximizing on Return on Investment (ROI)? This might involve evaluating your financial strategy, so buckle up. If you are a business owne…
July 26, 2024
Prioritize Your Pay: Advice for Business Owners
As a business owner, it's essential to understand the importance of paying yourself promptly. This video will explore why delaying payment to yourself could harm your finances and…
July 24, 2024
How to Pay Yourself: A Guide for Small Business Owners
"I can put it off." "One day I'll be making bank... but for now, I'll pinch pennies." "It won't be for long." If you've ever thought this way, you're in danger. Why? Business owne…
July 22, 2024
How to hire employees? 3 tips
What measures success in hiring for a job? A lot of factors come in when it comes to hiring successfully. We believe that a strategic approach to finding employees ensures b…
July 20, 2024
Tips for Hiring the Right People for Your Business
Do you think you have an eye for spotting talent? If you’re about to hire for your business, watch this video to help you gain insight into what it takes to hire. https://youtu.be…
July 14, 2024
How Do I Know What Services to Charge Sales Tax For?
Why do some services charge a sales tax while others don't? And is there a simple resource to clarify sales tax obligations? Watch this video for more information. https://youtu.b…
July 12, 2024
How to Collaborate the Right Way: Tips for Software Developers
Would you work with other collaborators without a partnership agreement? If you are a software developer working in collaboration with teams, here’s a word of caution - never get…
July 10, 2024
Do I Need to Copyright My Source Code?
When you create something, like a video, painting, or computer source code, it's automatically copyrighted. You’ve created it, so you have the right to limit how it is copied. But…
July 8, 2024
Managing Bad Employees
Managing work productivity is tricky. Why, you may ask? Employees are not created equal. Some will perform well, while others need some attention. These are the ones who often und…
July 4, 2024
How to Start a Business Remotely and Save on Startup Expenses
Launching a business is exciting but comes with financial challenges. By strategically setting up your remote business, you can manage costs effectively just like what this video…
June 29, 2024
How to Protect Your Intellectual Property
Are you giving away your intellectual property without knowing it? Watch this video if intellectual property in source code catches your interest. https://youtu.be/L3w4LHw2GbQ Whe…
June 27, 2024
Understanding the Importance of an LLC for Your First Rental Property
Is forming a limited liability company (LLC) necessary when purchasing a rental property? Watch this video to learn more. https://youtu.be/DQgBU6vjblk It is not mandatory, however…
June 25, 2024
Moving Rental Property into an LLC
Many property owners transfer their rental properties into a limited liability company (LLC) to protect their assets and as a management strategy. Watch the full video to know wha…
June 23, 2024
How Long Should I Wait to Pay Myself as a Business Owner?
Business owners often wonder when to start paying themselves. This question highlights the challenges they face in balancing personal and business finances. Many delay paying them…
June 21, 2024
Understanding When to Get a Will
Planning for the future involves making important decisions, and one of the most significant is knowing when to get a will. https://youtu.be/r-OsCaPtJ9g Deciding when to get a wil…
June 19, 2024
Can You Call Out Competitors in Ads?
Have you ever wondered if you can boldly compare your product to a competitor's in your advertising? https://youtu.be/_LQ5AIyqBJM?si=R9F_plU_OrDEIwOj The Federal Trade Commission…
June 17, 2024
Are Product Spinoffs Good for Companies?
When a company has multiple products, should they keep them all together under one roof or split them into different businesses? What is the better option? https://youtu.be/gTlFhn…
June 10, 2024
Tips for Naming Your LLC
Naming your business is a big decision. It's not just about what sounds good; there are legal and practical considerations, too. https://youtu.be/LU_grk5TUG4?si=T7h1cy2oNLFt_Vde W…
June 8, 2024
How to Increase Prices Without Losing Customers
Raising prices can be daunting but necessary to maintain profits. https://youtu.be/wttj06tl5aw?si=q17H-gAaFF8vZbGs Here are strategies to increase prices without losing customers:…
June 7, 2024
Difference Between Sub-Licensing and Assignment in Intellectual Property
Ever wondered about the differences between letting others use your ideas, giving them partial control, or handing over complete ownership? Let's break down sub-licensing and assi…
June 7, 2024
When Should I Offer a Discount?
Are discounts the golden ticket to draw in customers? https://youtu.be/VUcgUV5R01I It depends. Discount strategies can be good for business in some situations. But in other cases,…
May 15, 2024
Typical Consequences of Business Closures
If my business is dissolved, do I stop owing money right away? And what do I do first? https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JCA-3ZFzwkQ Many businesses cease operations for various reas…
May 15, 2024
Why an LLC is Better than a NonProfit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to_gi7rWdtA When it comes to starting a business, which requires more work—starting a nonprofit or forming a limited liability corporation? The ans…
May 15, 2024
Understanding Director Liabilities in Business
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIiUSChXFl0 Can a company director be held liable if the business shuts down? The general answer is that there is no personal liability if the dire…
May 11, 2024
How to Manage Defamatory Statements to Avoid Financial Loss
Can bad reviews and defamatory statements affect your business financially? https://youtu.be/ZJMauTLukm4 Bad reviews and derogatory statements against a business are forms of defa…
May 11, 2024
How to Know if Content is Available for Commercial Use?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LLEBGf7M7A It's a nightmare for creators to see their original work used without permission, but it happens frequently. Protections are in place f…
May 11, 2024
How Does A Succession Plan Work?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzsorHW6AoE Is a succession plan necessary for business owners? Absolutely! If you're a business owner, having a succession plan in place is crucia…
May 11, 2024
Effective Strategies for Managing Stakeholder Conflicts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFkLQ4S9tJ0 Is it crucial to resolve stakeholder conflicts swiftly in an organization? What does that entail? Stakeholder conflicts can cause disru…
May 11, 2024
How to Protect Against Defamation as a Small Business
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW4SvC2ZA7s&feature=youtu.be The desired outcome for any defamation claim against a small business is a retraction or compensation. But c…
May 11, 2024
Main Advantages of a Conflict Resolution Process for Businesses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFkLQ4S9tJ0 Is a conflict resolution process necessary to run a business, or can’t we all just get along? It would be an ideal scenario if everyone…
May 11, 2024
The Impacts of a Demand Letter
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OXeSHY6Ic10?si=Sbx3MvkZ3K7xKPQc Does sending a demand letter from an attorney work? Yes, it is one of the ways to formally request a specific…
May 9, 2024
Is it a Good Idea to Buy an Existing Business?
Is buying an existing business better than launching one? Forbes claims that “half of all businesses fail in their first five years.” This statistic highlights the risks involved…
May 2, 2024
1099 Contractor or W2 Employee (webinar)
Many employers struggle when classifying their workers. 1099 contractors have advantages of simplicity for the business owner. However, state and federal lawmakers make this diffi…
April 5, 2024
How Businesses that Service the Housing Market Keep our Economy Rolling
Building Houses, Creating Jobs: How it Helps Everyone Did you know, businesses that service homes are more than just doing work? The secret is that when the housing market does we…
April 3, 2024
3025% Profit? LOL, no.
Profit, margin, markup… What's the difference? I saw a video by a YouTube creator "Ronnie's Workshop" talking about how he made a wood-working project and sold it for a "3,025% Pr…
March 21, 2024
Will Hiring be Hard This Year?
Yes. Prepare for hiring challenges. I've already heard from several businesses that they're hiring and that they're struggling to find people, even for entry level jobs. This is a…
March 11, 2024
Should I buy a business or start one?
Why would you buy an existing business and not launch a new one? Find out! Buy a business or launch one? Doesn’t every real entrepreneur launch their own business? No. Not everyon…
March 8, 2024
How to find a business to buy?
You’re ready. You want to jump right into an operating business, and keep it running - even improve it. You DON’T want to launch a business from scratch. So where do you look for…
February 28, 2024
What is cash flow? Tips for Buying a Business
You need to know the cash flow of a business BEFORE you buy it. Let’s break it down. Cash flow in business is simply money coming in and going out. It’s money made and money paid…
February 21, 2024
How to pick a trademark name for my business
What is your business named? Do you have it registered as a trademark? All businesses that are going nationwide need a trademark. It defends your business against stolen branding.…
February 6, 2024
How to Pay Yourself as a Business Owner
SBOBO (Sad, Burned Out Business Owners) When a business owner says they're burned out, when their face is worn and ragged, when they're stressed out… I always ask this one questio…
January 11, 2024
Work Full-Time, Prioritize Family, and Start a Business: Your Business Startup Tips
Starting a business while managing family responsibilities and a full-time job may seem tough. And it is! If: Your job takes 80 hours a week Your family commitments take 4 hours -…
January 11, 2024
What it's Like to Sell Your Business (Webinar Video)
Selling your business is exciting and scary. The dream of a big check captures many founders’ minds. Sadly, deals often fall through or are far more difficult than necessary. Matt…
October 5, 2023
How do I get my first customers?
It's a common struggle for new business owners who have launched a business. They need customers but their social media channels don't have many followers, their google listing ha…
August 9, 2023
4 Types of Intellectual Property: Securing Your Business Benefits
Did you know that finding success in today’s fiercely competitive business landscape requires protection of your ideas, inventions, and brand identity? These intangible assets, kn…
August 9, 2023
Make Taxes Suck Less: 4 Practical Tips for Small Business Owners
Tax planning can be overwhelming. If you’re wondering what taxes a small business has to pay, which deductions my business can claim, and other similar questions, you’re not alone…
June 26, 2023
Why are service marks and trademarks important for business?
Establishing a strong brand identity is one of the most important actions you can do to ensure success in your business. Why? Because your brand identifies your business with your…
June 8, 2023
Emma's Enchanting Encounter: The Tale of a Trademark Triumph
Once upon a time in a quaint little town, there lived a passionate baker named Emma. Emma had spent years perfecting her recipes and dreaming of opening her bakery. After countles…
May 2, 2023
Benefit Corporations vs Public Benefit Corporations in Iowa
In 2021, Iowa enacted a new type of corporation, the Benefit Corporation, via HF844, signed by Governor Reynolds June 8, 2021. This added subchapter 17 to chapter 490 of the Iowa…
April 4, 2023
Safeguard Your Startup: Why Registering a Trademark is Essential for Tech Entrepreneurs
Another company is using my name! We worked with a business owner who had a competitor start a business in a neighboring town using the same name. It was in the same county! The c…
March 22, 2023
Caring about Small Businesses - Entrepreneurship in Our Genes
Why do we on the Iowa Business Lawyer team care so much about small businesses? Well, small business ownership is in Attorney Matt Nuzum’s genes. Parents play a huge role in their…
January 29, 2023
Free Event - Biennial Report Help 2023
Free help for Iowa LLC owners—every other year you have to file a biennial report. If you’d like help, join this meeting and I’ll walk you through it. The process takes 10 min or…
January 7, 2023
What intellectual property rights should business owners protect?
Define IP, IP types, and their differences, understand the benefits of IP protection, and discover how to get IP protection. What Intellectual Property Means Intellectual property…
December 30, 2022
Buying or Selling a Business in Iowa – What You Need to Know
We love helping our clients buy or sell a business and have worked with many clients on deals as small as $30,000 up to millions. Buying or selling a business in Iowa isn't as str…
December 28, 2021
Four Simple Steps to a Solid Business Plan
I wish there was a secret recipe to making a successful business. On Instagram I frequently see "inspirational" posts saying, "if you ___ your business will succeed this year!" Sa…
November 25, 2021
Should my spouse be listed as a co-owner of my LLC?
This is a surprisingly common question, and the answer is usually no, your spouse should not be a co-owner of the LLC. The exception is if your state does not protect sole owners…
November 25, 2021
Help, my LLC was administratively dissolved, what do I do?
Don't panic, this is fixable! In Iowa and most states, you must regularly check that the information you gave to the state about your business is correct. Usually, you also pay a…
November 25, 2021
Do I need LLC as part of my business name?
Yes, in Iowa and most states, you must have some variation of LLC as part of your legal name. It does not have to be exactly "LLC," but you probably should because people are used…
December 26, 2020
What Should I Name My Business? Trade Names, DBAs, and More
Naming things is difficult—in fact, maybe one of the most difficult decisions you'll make as you launch your business. In some cases, laws will have a slight impact on what your b…
December 24, 2020
Is Iowa a “business-friendly” state?
Recently, an article came out ranking Iowa poorly on a list of states that are business-friendly. The article focused on one, and only one, specific metric—corporate taxation. Man…