Doing Business for a Cause Can Attract Consumers
The holidays always remind us to get in the charitable mood and think of those less fortunate. Companies such as TOMS shoes, Kashi and Whole Foods are all examples of profitable businesses that also promote a social purpose. This allows consumers to be charitable while purchasing products they want or need and helps buyers feel […]
Taking Care of Loose Ends
The end of the year can be a challenging time for many small businesses owners. They often are juggling existing clients while trying to position the business for the following year. Here are three items often overlooked to keep as priorities to start the year off right. An entrepreneur should document meeting minutes and close […]
50 Shades of Contract
The “50 Shades of Grey” movie is a good reminder that we’re sometimes faced with the need to negotiate a quick and dirty contract without a lawyer. Although the movie’s characters, Christian and Anastasia, probably couldn’t get a judge to enforce the unusual agreement proposed, a simple contract can handcuff the respective parties. While lengthy documents […]
10 Great Business Ideas to Avoid
Many business owners have heard the old wisdom: all you need are a good idea, a business plan, capital, and hard work – plus good (legal) advisors – to be successful. Good intentions will only get you up and running. Below are some nuggets of wisdom from me as a business owner and advisor to […]
Don’t Let False “Sharks” Turn Your Business Into Bait
Television shows like “Shark Tank” and fundraising portals like Kickstarter have inspired many with a great idea to believe the modern adage, “if you build it, they will come.” But startups should take notice: the scammers will come calling too. While “Shark Tank” may have you believe that investors are waiting in line to fund […]
How Private is Your Email?
Email is not as private as you think. While most of us know that work email can be monitored by our employers, what we may not know is that providers and “third-parties” who store your data – such as Google, Yahoo and Hotmail and the companies that store their data – can be monitored and […]
Medical Theft is Closer Than You Think
Medical identity theft is a billion-dollar “industry” that hits a lot closer to home than you think. It generally involves fraudulent use of personal information (name, social security number, insurance information) for the purposes of obtaining medical services or devices, insurance reimbursements, or to get prescriptions illegally. But the motivation and method of exploitation of […]
General Partnerships Will Go On… And On
If you haven’t been following Texas Supreme Court blogs (and who hasn’t), you probably missed the Court’s February 2015 opinion in American Star Energy and Materials Corp. v. Stowers et. al. But small and large businesses alike should take notice because this decision simultaneously strengthens the concept of an unfiled general partnership while extending how […]
Defamation in the Workplace – An Increasing Trend
Business personnel matters often are touchy, if not contentious. As demonstrated by recent media reports involving the City of San Antonio and its recently fired director of Public Health, different stories might emerge about why an employee is let go. These situations are a prime risk for employers given an increasing trend in employment litigation: […]
Social Media Accounts are Business Assets Too!
When business owners list their business assets, they might not consider including the company’s Facebook page or Twitter account. Yet, in an increasingly digital world, that social media account you worked so hard to build could be considered business property in court. While essentially marketing tools, social media accounts are akin to customer or subscriber […]