Ladies: Getting Your Legal Foundation in Place is Sexy!
This one is especially for the ladies, because I think this is an epidemic issue with us. But men, you are warmly welcome here! I hope everyone gets something from this post….read on!
There are so many programs out there that talk about marketing, sales, Social Media, finding your bliss, etc…. All of these things are really important to be sure, but there is one area of launching a business that is so critical that is can be the difference between long term success or, well….at the risk of sounding dramatic…losing everything. And amazingly, it routinely gets skipped, shortchanged or ignored. That one critical step is creating a solid legal foundation for your business.
I think it gets overlooked for three main reasons:
First, it is pretty intimidating to think about, especially when you are new in business or don’t have experience with the legal side of running a business. Most of us avoid what we don’t feel comfortable with, and this is no exception.
Second, I think we not only feel intimidated, but we feel scared often when talking about lawyer stuff. For most of us, this is outside of our comfort zone and we don’t know what we don’t know. Plus, the idea of hiring lawyer, someone who does know, is scary in and of itself, and it threatens to be an expensive process. For many startups or small businesses, it seems like an expense that can’t be justified.
Third, I think the process of getting your legal foundation in place gets overlooked or put off because it is, well, just plain boring. It is so much more fun to think about the creative side of launching a business, especially when you are doing something you feel passionate about. I know that legal issues can be pretty dry - enough to make most people’s eyes glaze over. It certainly doesn’t feel sexy or exciting.
Or is it? Actually, while the process of getting your legal foundation in place might not be the most fun you have ever had, the act of it is incredibly sexy, smart and exciting.
Why? Because the point of getting your legal house in order is that it frees you up to then get on with the fun part of running a business. You will have the peace of mind that you have done all you can to protect your hard work. Peace of mind is the best food for creativity, and it gives you mental and emotional freedom to take your business to the next level and to focus on what you love to do and what you are best at. By taking the time to focus on it, you are making the choice to be smart, and to honor yourself, honor your gifts and honor your hard work. I’d say that is pretty sexy!
For more information on how to get your legal foundation in order easily and without hiring an expensive business lawyer, visit http://www.businessbrillianceuniversity.com.
July 14th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
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July 15th, 2010 at 11:38 am
Dear Jessica,
Lately, too many articles for women regarding important information is delivered, as if, women need “special handling” to help our understanding.
Adding insult to injury is using “sexy” as a motivator to get women to learn about the basics of business startup.
The title brings images of a different era but obviously it’s an era that still exists.
We need to stop fueling double standards and self-oppressing. Women need to take ownership of their learning for the right reasons and if they don’t, it’s their decision. To me, being successful and sustainable with regular growth are important. Setting up a legal entity because it’s sexy well, this is wrong for so many reasons.
You are referring to setting up a legal entity right? If yes, that’s what it should be called. If not, I am not sure what you’re article is about.
We need to provide accurate information to include standard terms, phrases, and provide clarity to women and men who are entertaining the thought of owning their own business or taking that next step.
Are we a little slow, superficial (sexy), intimidated by authority (lawyers), oblivious and clueless (bored) ignoring the business-side of our business? Is that what you think? Thanks, that really helps us out a lot.
To add, Business Brilliance University is not up and running, you’ve only a placeholder with automatic reply. With this new venture remember that it’s important to know how to talk-the-talk and walk-the-walk when it comes down to business.
Regards,
Dayo
July 15th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Dayo,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a thoughtful and clearly heartfelt comment.
I guess we will just have to agree to disagree. There is nothing degrading about being sexy or wanting to be sexy as a woman. Some of the most brilliant and successful women I know are incredibly sexy and love being so at the same time that they are also being savvy business women.
If you spend some time reading my posts here or in my other blogs, you would see that there is a ton of serious content on how to take care of your business legally. I take that role very seriously, but that doesn’t mean it has to be communicated in a serious or sterile way. After all, we may be business people, but we are also women. We should celebrate what makes women unique and special, which can include being sexy.
And yes, many women entrepreneurs I know are indeed intimidated by lawyers and have not done what they need to do to protect their hard work, not out of being clueless or dumb, but because they don’t know where to start or they don’t have the money to hire a lawyer. They need someone to make the entire process approachable. I don’t judge anyone for not having their legal foundation in place. It can be confusing and scary for anyone, male or female. I want to make the process less intimidating and a lot more fun, which it can be.
Clearly, the title and the gist of this post didn’t appeal to you, and that is okay. Great minds don’t always think alike. That is what makes this country and this planet such a fascinating place!
As for the link, BBU is a service that will be offered to entrepreneurs and it will be live very soon. Most everyone we deal with is very excited to be notified when it goes live, so as a courtesy, we provided a way to get that notification.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Best,
Jessica
July 17th, 2010 at 2:33 am
social media for chiropractors
July 17th, 2010 at 2:33 am
social media for chiropractors
While studying human potential, it never ceases to amaze me what can be accomplished when all perceived obstacles and psychological barriers are removed.