On Your Terms®

In this episode, we're delving into the nitty-gritty of legally hiring employees for your online business. You ask, and I answer! Listener Laura wrote in wondering about the legal steps involved in hiring employees. To tackle her question, I thought we'd kick things off by revisiting the difference between employees and contractors. In this episode, you’ll hear… Getting a legal foundation in place...

Public speaking is such an important skill to learn, and it can be a huge advantage in your business if you do it well. In this Summer School episode, we’re revisiting an interview with the great Mike Pacchione. We talk about why speaking well is important, what makes a speaker good or bad, and whether it’s possible for a bad speaker to become great. We also talked about the areas most speakers ne...

Do you ever worry that your small business doesn't need the same legal protection as the big guys? That's like saying you don't need a seatbelt because you're only driving down the block! Today, I'm answering a question from one of our listeners, Candice, who asked about how legal contracts and business matters differ for small shops compared to larger ones. It's an excellent question, Candice, an...

For the next couple of weeks, I’ll be running what I call Online Marketing Summer School. We’re going to be revisiting some past episodes geared toward helping you level up (or kick-off) your online marketing strategy! We’re kicking things off with one of my favs: an interview with Natasha Samuel of The Shine Online Podcast! Natasha Samuel is the host of The Shine Online Podcast and an Instagram s...

Do contracts need to be looked over or written by an attorney to be legally binding? As always, I'm here to demystify the complex legal jargon for you and empower you to grow your business on your own terms. In this episode, you’ll hear… Whether a contract needs to be written by an attorney What makes your contract unenforceable Ensuring your contracts are legally binding If you’d like a shoutout...

Has the popular narrative of 'soul-level work' ever made you question whether every aspect of your business is something that should light your soul on fire? If so, let's take some time to unpack this today. In this episode, you’ll hear… Why it’s unrealistic to expect your business to provide unending joy How the realities of running a business impact your daily life Making room for evolving passi...

What are the legal concerns when it comes to using pictures of another company’s branded products in your business? That’s what we’re diving into today! Jill asked, I'm currently creating a PDF to be sold on my website that's something along the lines of a "healthy food swaps" grocery guide. Within that document, I'm including specific pictures of branded food products. Do you happen to know if I'...

Today we’re going to talk about Kenny G., “real jazz,” and how that relates to business. We’ll explore powerful lessons for entrepreneurs about authenticity, value, and standing out in a crowded market. Let’s dive in! In this episode, you’ll hear… What a feud between two jazz musicians has to do with your business Finding what makes your business unique Getting back what you put out into the world...

New business owners have a lot to deal with: applying for an EIN, getting a business address, starting a business bank account, and forming an LLC, among other things. I get it. It can feel like you're putting the cart before the horse if you don't have an audience, an email list, or any offers yet. But let me tell you, there's a different way to look at this. We'll unpack this perspective shift i...

As an entrepreneur who has built a multi-seven-figure business, I've had my fair share of experiences when it comes to hiring and firing employees and contractors. In this episode, I want to share my top 10 tips for managing these relationships and navigating the complexities of staffing your business. My goal is to help you build a successful team while maintaining healthy working relationships w...

Today we’re going to talk about disclaimers. Do you need to read disclaimers out loud to clients during a session in order for them to count? Let’s discuss! In this episode, you’ll hear… When and where to use your disclaimer Nurturing the follower to client journey Pre-qualifying clients before you work with them If you’d like a shoutout (and a chance to win a $20 gift card), just leave a review o...

Starting and growing a business is hard. And then, you still have to deal with all of the hard stuff that life regularly throws at you on top of all that. Over the years, I have experienced some of the most challenging times of my life, from brain surgery and caring for my father during his battle with cancer, to coping with the loss of my father and my mother's ongoing health struggles. So, we're...

Let’s say you don’t want to spend time and money training an employee only to have them go work for a competitor or start their own business in your field. What can you do about it? In this episode, we’re discussing non-compete agreements, and whether or not they’re right for you. In this episode, you’ll hear… What a non-compete agreement is Whether or not you would be able to enforce a non-compet...

Have you ever considered writing a book? There’s a stat floating around that says 81% of people hope to write a book one day, so chances are you’re one of them — and so am I! I’m going to share what my journey of writing a book proposal and querying agents has looked like so far, and what’s happening next. I’ll also give tips I’ve learned from my writing coach as well as naturally along the way. I...

You know copycats are a big issue for online businesses, but that’s only a problem for big businesses, not ones just starting out — right? I’m going to address whether you need to worry about copycats even when very few people know about your business. In this episode, you’ll hear… Are small businesses at risk of copycats What I’ve seen in my own business and others Why you should protect your bus...

Unsure about the difference between trademarks and copyrights in online business? In this episode, we dive into the essential aspects of trademarking and copyrighting for online businesses. While trademarks are valuable for safeguarding the outward-facing elements of your business like names and logos, copyrights play a vital role in protecting your product or course content. We discuss Ashley's r...

If you’ve already registered as an LLC, do you need to trademark your business name? That’s what I’m going to discuss in this episode! In this episode, you’ll hear… The difference between a trademark and LLC What protections a trademark offers your business name Cases when you trademarking your business name may not be possible If you’d like a shoutout (and a chance to win a $20 gift card), just l...

If you’re in the online business world, you probably know the incredible Amy Porterfield. She’s recently published her first book, “Two Weeks Notice.” I had the privilege of chatting with Amy and picking her brain about everything from how she spends her day to the challenges she faces as a successful entrepreneur. I'll be sharing some of her insights and tips for building a business you love, as...

Today we get to talk all about copyright infringement — What can you do when you find a content thief, and can you get paid for damages? In this episode, you’ll hear… What happens when someone steals your content Why you need to register your content to copyright it How to take action and protect your content If you’d like a shoutout (and a chance to win a $20 gift card), just leave a review on Ap...

I'm excited to share with you all the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about trademarks. Whether you're a new business owner or just looking to learn more about trademarks, this episode has something for everyone. In this episode, you’ll hear… What documents and information you need to get a trademark How long it takes to get a trademark approved The difference between state an...

How do you copyright something? And when should you do it? That’s what we’re discussing in this week’s episode! In this episode, you’ll hear… The difference between copyright and trademark How to register a copyright What’s actually worth copyrighting If you’d like a shoutout (and a chance to win a $20 gift card), just leave a review on Apple Podcasts and send a screenshot of it to me on Instagram...

Have you ever found someone stealing your business's content, whether it's on social media, your products, or programs? It's a frustrating and disheartening experience, and it's essential to know what steps to take and how to react appropriately. I've been through this situation multiple times and have learned what works and what doesn't. In this episode, I'm going to break down the exact steps to...

You might not know this, but it's not good enough to just have a contract. You want to make sure that that contract is enforceable so that it has some teeth and will actually legally protect you. In this episode, you’ll hear… How to make sure a contract is properly written How to send and sign a contract correctly Making sure client information is accurate Click here to find the full show notes an...

Have you ever found your content being copied or mimicked by others? It can be a frustrating experience to see your hard work being stolen, whether it's through plagiarism or infringement. As an online business owner, it's crucial to understand the difference between stealing content and mimicking others. In this episode, I'll dive into these two concepts and explain how to protect your intellectu...

Can you charge business expenses to your personal card... and still have it count? Will that get you in trouble? That’s what I’m answering in this episode. Let's dive in! In this episode, you’ll hear… How to set up a business bank account Where to charge your business expenses What to do if you make a charge to the wrong card or account If you’d like a shoutout (and a chance to win a $20 gift card...