I'll Make This Brief

Ghosting has become the norm in our society, and business is no exception. We jump on consultations, send over proposals, and offer up job positions just to be met with radio silence. Lou and I have made a conscious effort to always give the courtesy of replying back and want to stress the benefits of establishing effective communication practices. 

We tackle how to make sure that you’re protected and getting paid for services provided, plus we share exactly how we collect payments. We also share our experiences about the job application process from the perspective of both employers and employees, and how ghosting really impacts your reputation in the business world. 

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:

• Simple ways to set boundaries and manage expectations around communication 
• Creating a positive imprint on your brand when working business-to-business
• How to build out your interview process 
• Protecting yourself and your business, especially as it relates to cash flow 
• Language to include in your contracts to avoid outstanding invoices 

RESOURCES

• Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown 
• Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
•  Love Powered Co
• Homesick Candles 

CONNECT WITH LOUISE

Follow Louise: @a_wild_lou_appeared 

Follow The Finance Agency: @the_finance_agency 

Learn more about The Finance Agency: thefinanceagencyllc.com 

CONNECT WITH LAUREN

Follow Lauren: @thelaurenboyd

Join the waitlist for HR app, Quinn

Follow Guide My Business: @guidemybusiness

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

( 0:45 ) Welcome to I’ll Make This Brief! Today, Lauren and Lou are talking about ghosting. 

( 1:50 ) Lauren and Louise share their book recommendations. 

( 4:30 ) Lauren and Louise highlight small businesses that they’re loving right now. 

( 9:26 ) Lauren and Louise explain why it’s important to avoid ghosting in business. 

( 12:30 ) Lauren says, “I've made some of my best business connections from consultations, even if I never use the person's services, because I showed them the courtesy of the follow up and we were able to remain friends

( 21:25 ) Louise and Lauren talk about ghosting during the job application process. 

( 30:15 ) Louise and Lauren talk about ghosting in outstanding invoices. 

( 34:08 ) Louise says, “Don't feel bad about reaching out. You're entitled to reach out for services that you're going to provide or have provided.”

( 39:58 ) Lauren and Louise talk about how they collect payment.

Welcome to the first episode of I’ll Make This Brief! I’m joined by Louise Hipperson, founder of The Finance Agency, to pull back the curtain on what it’s like to be an entrepreneur. We share our two very different approaches to exiting the corporate world and what our biggest challenges have been during this transition. We touch on outsourcing, embracing hustle seasons, and getting out of the comparison cycle. We also discuss different ways to create community and highlight the importance of making connections with people outside of your industry. 

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:

• Giving yourself permission to evolve 
• Discovering your zone of genius and paving the path for your team 
• The biggest thing that I’ve struggled with in business since becoming a mom 
• Why I don’t follow a ton of people in my industry on social media 
• What people don’t tell you about “passive” income 

RESOURCES

• Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown 
• Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman  
• Majka
• The Foggy Dog  

CONNECT WITH LOUISE

Follow Louise: @a_wild_lou_appeared 

Follow The Finance Agency: @the_finance_agency 

Learn more about The Finance Agency: thefinanceagencyllc.com 

CONNECT WITH LAUREN

Follow Lauren: @thelaurenboyd

Join the waitlist for HR app, Quinn

Follow Guide My Business: @guidemybusiness

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

( 0:44 ) Welcome to I’ll Make This Brief! Today, Lauren and Louise are talking about what mainstream media doesn’t tell you about entrepreneurism. 

( 1:30 ) Lauren and Louise highlight books that they’ve read recently. 

( 3:57 ) Lauren and Louise talk about small businesses that they’ve been loving lately. 

( 9:19 ) Lauren asks Louise, “So, Lou, tell me your story of leaving corporate.”

( 10:57 ) Lauren explains how she left her corporate job. 

( 13:59 ) Louise talks about what has surprised her the most about the transition from corporate to business owner. 

( 18:33 ) Lauren says, “It takes more work than you realize to start a business.”

( 22:54 ) Lauren says, “Allow yourself to have seasons of business where you don't need to feel shame over the fact that you're putting in as many hours as you did at corporate.”

( 26:15 ) Louise and Lauren talk about how they minimize cycles of comparison. 

( 32:12 ) Lauren and Louise talk about finding a community that you can really plug in and being honest with. 

I’m Lauren Boyd, a small business owner, attorney and mom. Join me for my honest take on entrepreneurship, marriage and motherhood. I’ll Make This Brief is a seasonal podcast sharing my musings on common topics founders face, from leading your team and embracing your zone of genius, to managing mom guilt and nurturing your personal relationships. Each episode, I’ll also be sharing a legal brief highlighting some of my favorite and trending legal tips and perspectives.

Join me and a special guest every quarter to binge a handful of episodes from the trenches of the messy middle to empower you to own your day. Hopefully, these episodes will come into your life at the perfect time. I promise, I’ll make this brief.

For more, follow Lauren on Instagram @thelaurenboyd.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How to set clear expectations in your agreements.
• The disclaimers to keep in mind specifically in your group coaching setting.
• How to protect your group coaching container with termination rights.

Resources + Links:

Coaching Bundle | Buy Now

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Work with Guide My Business

Connect with Lauren on Instagram | @thelaurenboyd

Join the our Facebook Community

Show Notes:

Coaches, we’re here to support YOU! As a coach we know how important it is for you to communicate clearly, set expectations, and create a safe space in your coaching programs. What does this look like from a legal standpoint? In this episode, we’re here to shed light on 3 things you’ll want to have in place for your coaching programs. Including important points when it comes to your agreements and disclaimers. Setting clear expectations will benefit you and anyone that joins your group coaching program, and it ultimately starts with you! Tune in for our tips, and check out our Links and Resources so we can help you get started and be your legal team to support you.

01:30 What expectations do I need to set in my coaching agreement?

03:40 What disclaimers should I have in my group coaching community?

05:15 Protecting your group coaching containers with termination rights.

07:00 Think of the possibilities that can take place when you’ve created a safe space for your group coaching program.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Agreements and documentation needed when you buy a business.
• What to consider when negotiating to buy a business.
• How intellectual property will be transferred to you as the new owner.

Resources + Links:

Non-Disclosure Bundle | Buy Now

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Work with Guide My Business

Connect with Lauren on Instagram | @thelaurenboyd

Join the our Facebook Community

Show Notes:

Do you have plans to buy a business in the future? Buying businesses can be such an incredible investment when done properly. In this episode, we’re sharing the things you will need to keep in mind and have documented when buying an existing business. Does it have a physical location? What happens to existing trademarks? What agreements do I need to have in place before I begin the discussion of buying a business? We’re answering all these questions and more! If you are eyeing a business, or have plans to buy a business in the future, reach out to our team! We’d be happy to support you, answer any questions, and make sure you are set up for success as you move towards investing in buying an existing business!

01:15 What are you actually “buying” when you buy a business?

02:30 What happens when you begin the discussion of buying a business?

03:15 The importance of having a non-disclosure agreement.

05:00 What if you are buying a business with a physical location?

07:00 Will I need a non-compete agreement in place?

08:15 How will Intellectual property be transferred to me when I buy a business?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Whether or not your podcast should be treated like a business.
• Agreements you should have in place for your podcast.
• How to include a podcast guest release into your process with ease.

Resources + Links:

Podcast Guest Release | Buy Now

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Work with Guide My Business

Connect with Lauren on Instagram | @thelaurenboyd

Join the our Facebook Community

Show Notes:

If I’m using my podcast as a way to build community, is it still considered a business? This is such a great question. If you’ve listened to an episode or two of our show, you know we’re big fans of disclaimers and setting clear expectations with contracts. This is so important when it comes to your podcast. Whether you have a co-host, do only solo episodes, or have guests join you on your podcast,  I’m here to share some things to keep in mind to protect your podcast. We’re talking about trademarks, disclaimers, guest releases and more.

01:15 Is a podcast a business offering?

02:30 What do I need to have in order if I have a co-host?

04:00 Disclaimers to consider for your podcast!

06:15 Do you have a podcast guest release?

08:00 It’s time to protect your podcast.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• What to include in the caption of your next giveaway.
• Disclaimers you must know and use for your giveaways.
• What you need to know about giveaways and taxes!

Resources + Links:

Giveaway Bundle | Buy Now

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Work with Guide My Business

Connect with Lauren on Instagram | @thelaurenboyd

Join the our Facebook Community

Show Notes:

Do you know if your last giveaway was in compliance? What about taxes when it comes to giveaways? Giveaways can be an amazing way to give back and grow your online community! We’re here to make sure you know the basics so your next giveaway won’t leave you with any issues down the road! In this episode, we’re sharing what you need to include in the caption of your giveaways and how to make sure you are covered with disclaimers! 

01:30 What do I need to include in the caption of my next giveaway?

02:20 Did you know a giveaway on social media can trigger an application of the endorsement guidelines?

03:40 Include this to make sure you and your entrants are both in compliance!

05:30 What do promotions on Instagram need to include?

08:00 Disclaimers you need to know and use for your next giveaway!

09:00 Do I need to submit a 1099 form for my giveaways?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• What a non-compete is and how it can benefit you.
• The limitations and enforceability of non-competes.
• The latest legal update and executive order around non-competes you need to know (and what you can do in the meantime).

Resources + Links:

Employee Bundle | Buy Now

Independent Contractor Agreement | Buy Now

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Work with Guide My Business

Connect with Lauren on Instagram | @thelaurenboyd

Join the our Facebook Community

Show Notes:

Are you wondering about the future of your non-competes? Today, we’ve got the answers to all your questions! This episode, we’re discussing everything about non-competes: What are they? What can they do for you? What should you be considering when drafting one? We also go over the limitations you might face, as well as the red flags you need to be aware of. Finally, it’s time to talk about the big legal update, and what it could mean for the enforceability of non-competes going forward. Tune in and learn how you can compete with your non-compete!

01:00 What is a non-compete, and are they enforceable?

03:20 What are the benefits to non-competes?

04:50 The limitations on enforceability.

06:50 How do non-competes work with independent contractors?

08:05 What are some red flags you should look out for?

09:25 What should you take into consideration when drafting a non-compete?

12:15 What can non-competes prevent and what can they not prevent?

13:25 What should non-competes be coupled with?

15:35 The legal update.

17:20 Who does this affect?

18:30 What can you do in the meantime?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How to prevent sexual harassment at your holiday parties.

Things to keep in mind when alcohol will be served at your event.

How to minimize the risk of employer compensation liability.

Resources + Links:

Work with Guide My Business

Connect with Lauren on Instagram | @thelaurenboyd

Join the our Facebook Community

Show Notes:

The holidays are right around the corner! As you are making holiday party plans for your team, this episode is a quick checklist of things you’ll want to keep in mind to protect you as a business owner! We’re sharing tips from ways to prevent sexual harassment, to making sure it’s clear that your holiday parties are just that - parties, and don’t require work activities. This list will not only protect you as an employer, but set boundaries to make for more fun for everyone involved!

01:00 How can I minimize risks when preparing for my business holiday parties?

02:00 Preventing sexual harassment at your holiday parties.

03:40 What if I plan to have alcohol served at my employee sponsored event?

07:30 How can I minimize the risk of employer compensation liability?

09:00 Ways to make sure your party is voluntary, and no work is involved.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How to use your contract more in every part of your business
• How your contract can empower your clients and their on boarding process
• Where you can bring your contract into your process

Resources + Links:

Work with Guide My Business

Connect with Lauren on Instagram | @thelaurenboyd

Join the our Facebook Community

Show Notes:

Documents, deadlines, and disclaimers - oh my! Today’s episode is delving into the importance of you and your contract, so you can learn how to reiterate your contract and use it in every part of your business! We’ll discuss what you can do to bring your contract into your process in order to evolve your team and your business. Then we talk about the best ways to create clear boundaries with your clients so everyone stays on the same page. It’s time for you to find the true value in your contract and take your business to the next level!

00:55 How can you bring your contract into every part of your business?

03:50 How to utilize disclaimers and list necessary materials in your contracts.

05:30 What is the next step after a client signs a service agreement?

07:10 What makes clear deadlines so important?

08:15 Why should you set boundaries with your clients?

10:35 How can you get clients to respect your intellectual property limitations?

12:00 Evolving your contract and your process.