In this episode of Business SOS!, attorney and host Rich Sierra revisits one of the most important topics for entrepreneurs: the critical mistakes that can destroy business partnerships before they even begin.

In Part 1 of this two-part series, Rich walks through the first five mistakes business owners often make when launching a partnership. From failing to have a written partnership agreement to ignoring role clarity and ownership percentages, these mistakes can lead to misunderstandings, legal disputes, and even business failure. Rich shares practical advice and real-world examples to help you build a solid foundation for a successful partnership.

Whether you’re just starting out or thinking about partnering with someone, this episode will give you the knowledge to protect your business and avoid costly legal problems.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!

How to Contact Rich Sierra:

📧 Email: [email protected]

🌐 Website: FloridaSmallBusinessLegalCenter.com

📱 Facebook: @FSBLEGAL

📺 YouTube: @RichardSierra

🐦 Twitter/X: @Rich_Sierra

📸 Instagram: @FSBLEGAL

💼 Digital Business Card: https://poplme.co/hash/Qd9D1azj/1/s

📘 Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or ask for it at your local bookstore.

Are you prepared for what happens to your business if something happens to you? In this episode of the Business SOS! Podcast, attorney AJ Yolofsky joins Rich Sierra to discuss why estate planning is essential for business owners. Learn how to protect your business, minimize taxes, and ensure a smooth leadership transition. Rich and AJ continue the conversation on Estate Planning and the importance of preparing your business for the due diligence investigation before you sell your business. 

AJ shares key strategies on Wills, Trusts, and Succession Plans every entrepreneur should have in place. Don’t leave the future of your company to chance.

📚 Based on Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them.

🌐 More at: FloridaSmallBusinessLegalCenter.com
🔗 Connect with AJ: https://www.yolofskylaw.com | Learn more at: FloridaSmallBusinessLegalCenter.com. How to Contact Rich Sierra: 

1. Via Email at [email protected] 

2. https://www.floridasmallbusinesslegalcenter.com 

3. FaceBook @ FSBLEGAL 

4. https://www.youtube.com/@RichardSierra 

5. twitter.com/Rich_Sierra 

6. Instagram: FSBLEGAL 

7. Digiltal Business Card https://popl.co/card/Qd9D1azj/1/s .

 Also, Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or ask for it at your local bookstore..

Are you prepared for what happens to your business if something happens to you? In this episode of the Business SOS! Podcast, attorney AJ Yolofsky joins Rich Sierra to discuss why estate planning is essential for business owners. Learn how to protect your business, minimize taxes, and ensure a smooth leadership transition.

AJ shares key strategies on Wills, Trusts, and Succession Plans every entrepreneur should have in place. Don’t leave the future of your company to chance.

📚 Based on Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them.

🌐 More at: FloridaSmallBusinessLegalCenter.com
🔗 Connect with AJ: https://www.yolofskylaw.com | Learn more at: FloridaSmallBusinessLegalCenter.com. How to Contact Rich Sierra: 

1. Via Email at [email protected] 

2. https://www.floridasmallbusinesslegalcenter.com 

3. FaceBook @ FSBLEGAL 

4. https://www.youtube.com/@RichardSierra 

5. twitter.com/Rich_Sierra 

6. Instagram: FSBLEGAL 

7. Digital Business Card https://popl.co/card/Qd9D1azj/1/s .

 Also, Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or ask for it at your local bookstore..

Using free legal templates or AI-generated contracts might seem like a smart shortcut, but the risks could end up costing you far more than you save. In this episode, Rich Sierra, Esq. explains why one-size-fits-all contracts often fail to protect your business.

Learn the dangers of missing clauses, unenforceable terms, and relying on AI tools that can’t understand your specific needs. Rich also shares what every real business contract should include and how to use templates and AI safely—with proper legal oversight.

💼 Essential advice for business owners who want real protection, not just paperwork.

📘 Based on Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them.

📞 Learn more at: FloridaSmallBusinessLegalCenter.com. 

How to Contact Rich Sierra: 

1. Via Email at [email protected] 

2. https://www.floridasmallbusinesslegalcenter.com 

3. FaceBook @ FSBLEGAL 

4. https://www.youtube.com/@RichardSierra 

5. twitter.com/Rich_Sierra 

6. Instagram: FSBLEGAL 

7. Digiltal Business Card https://popl.co/card/Qd9D1azj/1/s .

 Also, Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or ask for it at your local bookstore..

Episode 98 – What to Do If Your Business Is Sued in Another State

In this episode, Rich Sierra, Esq. explains how to respond when your Florida-based business is sued in another state. From understanding personal jurisdiction and avoiding inadvertent consent to court authority, to hiring local counsel and defending your case remotely, this episode walks you through every step. Learn how to challenge jurisdiction, manage out-of-state litigation costs, and avoid getting sued across state lines in the future through smart contract planning. If your business crosses borders—physically or digitally—this is essential listening.

Based on Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them. How to Contact Rich Sierra: 

1. Via Email at [email protected] 2. https://www.floridasmallbusinesslegalcenter.com 

3. FaceBook @ FSBLEGAL 

4. youtube.com/@RichardSierra 

5. twitter.com/Rich_Sierra 

6. Instagram: FSBLEGAL 

7. Digiltal Business Card https://popl.co/card/Qd9D1azj/1/s .

 Also, Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or ask for it at your local bookstore..

In this episode, Rich Sierra, Esq. shares the most common and costly mistakes business owners make during litigation—and how to avoid them. Whether you’re filing a breach of contract claim or defending a lawsuit, client-side errors like missing deadlines, deleting evidence, or refusing to settle can destroy your case. 
 
 Learn how to work effectively with your attorney, stay prepared, and protect your credibility in court.
 
 💡 Perfect for business owners involved in lawsuits or considering legal action.
 📘 Based on Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them. 

How to Contact Rich Sierra: 

1. Via Email at [email protected]

2. https://www.floridasmallbusinesslegalcenter.com 

3. FaceBook @ FSBLEGAL 

4. youtube.com/@RichardSierra 

5. twitter.com/Rich_Sierra 

6. Instagram: FSBLEGAL 

7. Digiltal Business Card https://popl.co/card/Qd9D1azj/1/s . 

Also, Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or ask for it at your local bookstore..

Winning a business lawsuit is a huge relief—but it’s not the end of the story. In this episode, Rich Sierra, Esq. breaks down what happens after a judge rules in your favor, whether you’re the plaintiff or the defendant.

From enforcing a money judgment and collecting what you're owed to avoiding post-trial pitfalls, this episode covers the next critical steps in your legal journey. You’ll learn about liens, garnishments, appeals, and how to turn a courtroom victory into a real-world result.

✅ Topics Covered:

What a judgment actually means

How to collect if you’re the plaintiff

What to watch out for if you’re the defendant

Liens, post-trial motions, and enforcement options

When to consider settlement—even after you win

🎯 A must-watch for business owners involved in litigation or preparing for trial.

📘 Based on the book Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them. How to Contact Rich Sierra: 1. Via Email at [email protected] 2. https://www.floridasmallbusinesslegalcenter.com 3. FaceBook @ FSBLEGAL 4. youtube.com/@RichardSierra 5. twitter.com/Rich_Sierra 6. Instagram: FSBLEGAL 7. Digiltal Business Card https://popl.co/card/Qd9D1azj/1/s . Also, Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or ask for it at your local bookstore.

In Episonde 95 of the Business SOS! Podcast, Rich discusses "How to prepare for a breach of contract trial". If you’re a business owner going to trial—whether you’re suing someone or defending your business—your preparation matters. The judge (and possibly jury) will expect clarity, documentation, and professionalism. In this episode, Rich walk's you through the key steps to help you get organized, stay calm, and show up ready.  

How to Contact Rich Sierra:

1. Via Email at [email protected]
2. https://www.floridasmallbusinesslegalcenter.com
3.  FaceBook @ FSBLEGAL
4. youtube.com/@RichardSierra
5. twitter.com/Rich_Sierra
6. Instagram: FSBLEGAL
7. Digiltal Business Card https://popl.co/card/Qd9D1azj/1/s
8. Also, Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or ask for it at your local bookstore.

In Episode 94 of the Business SOS! podcast, Rich Sierra dedicates this special episode to the graduating class of the Chapman School of Seamanship. Drawing from his book Business SOS!, Rich shares the eight most common legal mistakes new business owners make—and how to avoid them. From signing contracts without legal review to entering partnerships without agreements, this episode is packed with practical advice for anyone launching a marine-based or small business. Whether you’re starting a charter service or opening a marine repair shop, these tips will help you protect your investment and start your venture on solid legal ground.

How to Contact Rich Sierra:

1. Via Email at [email protected]
2. https://www.floridasmallbusinesslegalcenter.com/
3. FaceBook @ FSBLEGAL
4. Via YouTube at  youtube.com/@RichardSierra
5. twitter.com/Rich_Sierra
6. Instagram: FSBLEGAL
7. 7. Digiltal Business Card https://popl.co/card/Qd9D1azj/1/s

Also, Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or ask for it at your local bookstore.

EP. 93. Special Guest- Family Law Attorney Angela Neave. Rich Sierra and Angela Neave, owner of Neave Family Law,  go into an indepth discussion on the rise of the Gray Divorce (couples over 50). They discuss the causes and the consequences to the partners and to small businesses. You can reach Angela Neave through her website: https://neavefamilylaw.com/

How to Contact Rich Sierra:

1. Via Email at [email protected]
2. https://www.floridasmallbusinesslegalcenter.com/
3. FaceBook @ FSBLEGAL
4. Via YouTube at youtube.com/@RichardSierra
5. twitter.com/Rich_Sierra
6. Instagram: FSBLEGAL
7. Digiltal Business Card https://popl.co/card/Qd9D1azj/1/s
   
   Also, Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or ask for it at your local bookstore.