Business SOS! Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them

We're revisiting this special two-part series from earlier in 2026! In case you missed it the first time (or want to hear it again), Rich Sierra and co-host Sharon Sierra sit down with Pepe and Claudia Aguirre, founders of LLV Travel (Luxury Lifestyle Vacations), for a unique travel-focused conversation. Rich and Sharon kick things off by sharing their own personal experience traveling to Portugal...

In this special two-part series, Rich Sierra kicks off the first Business SOS! episode of 2026 with a unique travel-focused conversation. Joined by his wife and co-host Sharon Sierra, Rich shares their personal experience traveling to Portugal with LLV Travel (Luxury Lifestyle Vacations) before introducing the founders, Pepe and Claudia Aguirre. In this episode you are introduced to LLV Travel—a c...

Seller financing is one of the most common ways small businesses change hands — and one of the most dangerous for the seller. The moment you agree to finance the buyer, you become the bank. And if the buyer stops paying, runs the business into the ground, or transfers it to someone you never approved, you're the one left holding the bag. In this episode, Rich Sierra breaks down the five things tha...

Somebody owes you money. You've called. You've emailed. You've been patient. Nothing's happening. The demand letter is the step between asking nicely and filing a lawsuit — and for most business disputes, it's the most important move you'll make. But not all demand letters are created equal. Some get checks in the mail within a week. Others get laughed at, ignored, or used against you in court. In...

That knock on the door. That envelope from the process server. Getting sued is one of the most stressful things a business owner can face — and the decisions you make in the first 48 hours can determine how the entire case plays out. In this episode, Rich Sierra walks you through the five steps every business owner needs to take immediately: don't panic but don't ignore it, read and understand the...

A bad business partner can cost you far more than money. In this episode, Rich Sierra discusses the financial, operational, and emotional damage caused by the wrong partnership relationships. From unequal workloads and deadlocks to financial misconduct and litigation, this episode explains how business owners can protect themselves before partnership problems become business disasters. Key Topics...

Most business lawsuits are avoidable. In this episode, Rich Sierra discusses the everyday mistakes business owners make that unintentionally create legal disputes. From vague contracts and careless emails to poor documentation and ignoring problems too long, this episode focuses on the practical steps businesses can take to reduce risk and avoid expensive litigation. Key Topics Covered How vague c...

Winning your case is a major victory—but it’s only half the battle. In this episode, Rich Sierra explains what happens after you win in court and how to actually turn a judgment into money. From enforcement tools to settlement strategies and dealing with appeals or bankruptcy, this episode gives business owners a practical roadmap to protect and maximize their win. Key Topics Covered: What you act...

Losing a case can feel like the end—but it’s not. In this episode, Rich Sierra walks through exactly what to do after a loss in litigation. From immediate deadlines to strategic decisions like appeals, settlement, and even bankruptcy, this episode gives business owners a clear roadmap for what comes next. If you’ve ever faced a setback in court, this is the guidance you need to move forward intell...

Episode 144 The handshake deal. The verbal agreement. The "we've known each other for years" arrangement. Rich Sierra has seen more businesses destroyed by deals with no contract than by almost anything else he handles as a litigator — and not just between strangers. In this episode, he breaks down the five biggest risks of doing business on a handshake: you can't prove the terms, scope creep take...

Contracts aren't just paperwork — they're legal weapons. In this episode, Rich Sierra walks you through the five most dangerous provisions hiding in business contracts that are designed to favor the other side. You'll learn how to spot unlimited indemnification clauses, automatic renewal traps, one-sided dispute resolution provisions, unilateral modification rights, and overbroad non-compete and e...

For Episode 142 of the Business SOS! Podcast, Rich does a "deep dive" into the importance of Joint Pre-Trial Stipulation and how it can make or break your case. How to Contact Rich Sierra: Email: Rich@RichSierra.com 📞 Phone: 866-842-5202 🌐 Website: https://www. FloridaSmallBusinessLegalCenter.com 📘 Book: Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them – avai...

For Episode 141, Rich Sierra and co-host Sharon Sierra interview Renata and Milton Lewinsky, owners of MyFirstYearsPreschool.com located in Plantation, Florida. We discuss their business journey as they sold a successful franchise business and decided to pursue their passion of opening a pre-school. They talk about how they researched and learned about the business for several years before purchas...

For Episode 140, Rich Sierra and co-host Sharon Sierra interview Renata and Milton Lewinsky, owners of MyFirstYearsPreschool.com located in Plantation, Florida. We discuss their business journey as they sold a successful franchise business and decided to pursue their passion of opening a pre-school. They talk about how they researched and learned about the business for several years before purchas...

In Episode 139 of the Business SOS! Podcast, Rich Sierra continues his conversation with Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator and Arbitrator Matthew Fornaro, focusing on arbitration—another powerful alternative to traditional courtroom litigation. While mediation focuses on negotiation and settlement, arbitration functions more like a private trial, where an arbitrator hears the evidence and u...

In Episode 138 of the Business SOS! Podcast, Rich Sierra sits down with Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator and Arbitrator Matthew Fornaro to discuss one of the most effective ways to resolve disputes without the time and expense of a trial—mediation. Mediation has become a critical step in many business disputes and lawsuits. Courts frequently require parties to attempt mediation before a ca...

Bringing a new partner into your business can provide capital, expertise, and growth opportunities—but it can also introduce significant legal risks if the relationship is not properly structured. In this episode of the Business SOS! podcast, Rich Sierra explains the most common legal mistakes business owners make when adding a partner or investor. He discusses why many partnerships begin informal...

Buying or selling a business is one of the most important transactions a business owner will ever make—but it’s also one of the most legally complex. In this episode of the Business SOS! podcast, Rich Sierra revisits the topic of business acquisitions and explains why so many deals lead to disputes after closing. Rich walks through the most common legal problems that arise during business sales, i...

What happens when business partners reach a complete standstill? In Episode 135 of the Business SOS! podcast, Rich Sierra tackles one of the most dangerous situations in any company — a partnership deadlock. When owners with equal control cannot agree on major decisions, the business can grind to a halt. Contracts go unsigned. Payroll becomes uncertain. Strategic growth stops. And before long, dis...

Special Guest: David Kinigson, Motivational Speaker and Author of "The Power of Asking WHAT? Overcome your challenges and fears. A conversation for Mindset in Action. (Part 1). Rich interviews Author and inspirational speaker David Kinigson and has an in-depth discussion about the importance of having an Inspirational Mindset to overcome your challenges and fears. How to Contact Rich Sierra: ...

In this episode, Rich Sierra discusses what you need to be aware of to avoid being sued by your landlord and common mistakes business owners make when entering or renewing commercial leases. How to Contact Rich Sierra: Email: Rich@RichSierra.com 📞 Phone: 866-842-5202 🌐 Website: https://www. FloridaSmallBusinessLegalCenter.com 📘 Book: Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Mak...

In Episode 132, Florida small business lawyer Rich Sierra takes inspiration from HGTV’s Help! I Wrecked My House and applies it to the legal world. In this episode, Rich breaks down five common mistakes that can seriously damage a business case and explains how business owners can avoid them before they become expensive problems. Rich shares practical legal guidance every entrepreneur should know...

In Episode 131, Florida small business lawyer Rich Sierra sits down with entrepreneurs Mike Sierra and Caroline Castille — founders of EmailOnPerformance.com and Flight Path Golf. They break down what “Email on Performance” really means, how small businesses can use digital marketing more effectively, and proven strategies that help increase revenue and cash flow without wasting ad spend. Connect...

In Episode 130 of the Business SOS! podcast, host Rich Sierra continues his conversation with marine expert George Zeitler, shifting the focus to the work he performs through Zeitler Marine Services and the critical role marine expertise plays in risk management, compliance, and dispute prevention. George explains what marine surveys are, why they are essential for vessel owners and businesses, an...

In Episode 129 of the Business SOS! podcast, host Rich Sierra sits down with marine expert and expert witness George Zeitler to explain one of the most misunderstood aspects of litigation—expert witnesses. This episode breaks down what an expert witness is, how expert testimony differs from fact testimony, and why expert witnesses are often critical in cases involving technical or specialized issu...