In this episode of The Business of Branding Podcast, Nikki sits down with Michelle Lynn, founder of The Leaguelle and co-founder of the women’s fishing apparel brand Real Skipper. A Cornell Law graduate and experienced entrepreneur, Michelle blends legal expertise with firsthand business knowledge to make trademarking approachable, empowering, and essential for every entrepreneur.

They dive into Michelle’s journey from apparel entrepreneur to trademark attorney, the messy realities of product-based businesses, and the lessons she learned about timing, risk, and brand protection. Michelle breaks down the trademark process step-by-step, shares the biggest mistakes business owners make, and explains why protecting your intellectual property is non-negotiable if you want to grow and scale with confidence.

What You’ll Learn

• Michelle’s unique path from running a women’s fishing apparel brand to building her own modern trademark practice.
• Why trademarking should happen as early as possible (ideally before you launch).
• The difference between broad audiences vs. niche services — and why her narrow focus on trademarks works.
• The realities of apparel entrepreneurship: cash flow, manufacturing hurdles, and financial strain.
• Why “nobody really knows what they’re doing” in business—and why that’s empowering.
• How to navigate the trademark timeline, risk levels, and office actions.
• The hidden costs of avoiding trademarks—like lawsuits, forced rebrands, and investor hesitations.
• Michelle’s biggest lessons from entrepreneurship: the value of confidence, leaning on experts, and laying strong foundations for your brand.

https://www.theleaguelle.com/

https://www.instagram.com/the.lawtrepreneur/

https://www.facebook.com/theleaguelle

Free Trademark Consultation: https://theleaguelle.as.me/businessofbranding