In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, host John Fagerholm, employment defense attorney and business advocate, and co-host Steve Cooper, comedian and veteran podcaster, dive deep into what it really takes to survive as an entrepreneur in today’s business climate.

With their guest postponed, John and Steve use the time to share real stories, legal lessons, and personal insights from decades of experience in business, law, and life. From childhood hustles and early entrepreneurial instincts to the impact of bad policy and costly lawsuits, this candid conversation reveals why so many California business owners are packing up and heading to Texas.

They also unpack a shocking sports scandal, explore the ripple effects of new “wage theft” laws, and discuss how legal overreach can crush small businesses — plus, what smart founders can do to protect themselves before it’s too late.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why entrepreneurship is often born, not made — and how John learned business from a young age
• How risk, money, and discipline separate successful founders from the rest
• The dangers of California’s “wage theft” law and why it punishes honest employers
• What business owners need to know about workers’ comp abuse and fraudulent claims
• How personal liability laws can expose owners — even when they’re incorporated
• Why Texas is the top state for business and California ranks last
• The best legal structure for your business: LLC, S-Corp, or something else
• Practical advice for new entrepreneurs on building legal protection early

Hosts:
John Fagerholm: defendmybiz.com
Steve Cooper: coopertalk.net

Call to Action:
If you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, or just curious about the intersection of law and leadership, subscribe to Lawsuits & Lessons on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every other week — and don’t miss the next episode featuring Mark Kreiner, the former Tapout CEO with stories from the wild side of business and branding.