West Coast Franchise Law - May 2022

West Coast Franchise Law - May 2022

May 2022

600 Stewart Street #1300, Seattle, WA 98101 | westcoastf ranchiselaw.com | 206-903-0401

All Ears How I Learned the Art of Listening

Lawyers never stop learning — that’s what countless people told me when I was considering law school. It helped drive my decision-making, and it turned out to be true. I’m constantly learning about the law, but I’m also always learning frommy clients. I’ve found that there are teachers everywhere. May 3 is National Teacher Day, and we can hopefully all agree on the importance of good educators. The right teacher can make you feel competent and confident. And the best ones can inspire you in ways you’d never imagine. One of the reasons I attended the University of Minnesota was its substantial clinical space. If you wanted to be involved, they had enough room. I like learning by doing, so I looked forward to the hands-on experience of representing clients in real-world settings. Larry was the director of the housing clinic. He was skinny and bearded, with blond hair hanging down the middle of his back. He rode a motorcycle everywhere, except in the coldest weather, and played piano in his spare time. To say the least, he wasn’t what most people think of when they imagine an attorney. It would have been easy to write Larry off. People who work for legal aid don’t make a lot of money, so many of us assume that they’re not very good at their jobs. Larry showed me how wrong that assumption is. Your value and skill as a lawyer have very little to do with your compensation. He

was not only an excellent attorney, but he was one of the best teachers I ever had. He taught me one of the greatest lessons I’d ever learn — how to take every client and their problems seriously.

at it. But when you promise all of a client’s income to rent alone, they still have to face an unheated apartment and a broken car. In other words, the problem isn’t fixed. If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. It can be incredibly easy to fall into that trap as an attorney. But life

At the clinic, I met many people who struggled to stay housed. Their problems were always multi-faceted, so there was never one

isn’t that simple. People have complex problems, so they need equally complex solutions. It’s the only way to do right by a client. Larry taught me that, along with how to be a fierce advocate and stand up against those who want to take advantage

straightforward solution. Any given client would be facing eviction, but then you’d find out their heat was turned off, and they couldn’t get to work because their car was out of service. Meanwhile, the

landlord wasn’t maintaining the property, so you’d need to face the fact that the tenant wanted to stay, but also needed their plumbing fixed. It feels comfortable to ascribe this kind of misfortune to irresponsibility, laziness, or another personal failing, but I found that it is rarely, if ever, the actual case. Larry taught me to fully listen and get the entire story before I sought out solutions. I couldn’t just overlay my roadmap on someone else’s problems — not if I genuinely wanted to help them. A good attorney needs to take a holistic approach and ensure their resolution fits the client’s reality. You can always go to court and beat back an eviction by throwing money

of vulnerable people.

The work I did then often involved a dispute over hundreds of dollars. Today, I represent clients worth millions. But I bring the same approach I learned from Larry to my work. Jumping to a conclusion before I’ve heard all the facts helps no one. By slowing down and listening to a client, you always come to a better resolution. Larry made me a better lawyer. When I have the opportunity to mentor young legal minds, I strive to pay it forward by passing along his lessons.

– Nate Riordan 1 206-903-0401

Picking the Perfect Souvenir A way to preserve or share a piece of your trip is to bring home a souvenir, but choosing a souvenir isn’t always a stress-free experience. How do you pick the perfect souvenir and not just the first thing you see in a tourist shop? Here are some tips for picking a truly meaningful gift for yourself or your loved ones. Who are you buying for? What are your recipient’s interests, or what do they spend the most time doing? If you’re buying for yourself and enjoy coffee, you might buy a local coffee blend to enjoy from home. However, if your recipient doesn’t enjoy coffee or rarely drinks it, that type of gift might not mean much to them. Is it legal to bring home? Whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally, there are many regulations that affect which souvenirs you can bring home. Even if you find the item in a tourist shop, that doesn’t mean it’ll be allowed into the country or even onto the plane. And the TSA does take this seriously. In 2012, two tourists were detained at the U.S. border for trying to bring home chocolate Kinder eggs — a

specific kind that are illegal in the U.S. due to the potentially hazardous small toys inside.

Purchase a handicraft. Handicrafts — items created by local artisans — are awesome souvenirs! But make sure you buy where artisans actually sell their own goods, such as an open-air market. Unfortunately, while some popular tourist shops may sell “locally made goods,” many souvenirs intended for tourists are actually made by cheap manufacturers in other countries. Keep something from the adventure. Bringing a glass bottle to take home some sand is a popular way of creating your own souvenir from a beach vacation. But you can do this with almost any item! Whether it’s stones, ticket stubs from favorite shows and activities, or a handmade item from a class, make sure to look out for souvenirs that’ll remind you of great memories and experiences.

We hope these tips will help you make the best choice. Bon voyage!

The Way of the Future

WHY DIGITAL TIPPING SOLUTIONS MATTER

Though digital tipping was already growing in popularity, the pandemic created an enormous additional demand. It was a confluence of several events that saw people ordering more takeout, using less cash, and looking for ways to support service workers. We may be seeing a permanent shift in customer habits, and businesses need to consider what comes next. Surveys of restaurant employees show that they would prefer tips in cash, but many people rarely have any on hand. Digital tipping allows employees to receive gratuities when customers pay by card. It’s an increasingly popular option at counter-service point-of-sale machines and online ordering apps, but some restaurants have refused to take the plunge. Many offer digital tipping only in-person or online, not both. And some have stuck with a can of loose change by the register — or nothing at all. Owners who don’t allow tipping offer several reasons. Some think it will offend customers. Others worry about the hassle of splitting up the takings, or believe it will suggest they don’t pay their employees enough. These concerns are valid, but customers have demonstrated that they want digital tipping options.

According to 2019 statistics, 46.5% of customers at fast-casual eateries tip when given the option, and the average tip amount was 17%. If you don’t allow tipping in your establishment, you’re leaving a lot of your employees’ money on the table. That could affect your bottom line by costing you unsatisfied workers in a competitive market. Worse, while tips surged in 2020, they have now fallen below pre-pandemic levels — so each one is more valuable than before. For diners who are conscientious about tipping, the inability to reward your employees could sway them to frequent other restaurants or use third-party ordering apps that provide the option. So, if you haven’t already stepped into this new frontier, it’s time to consider it. Of course, you may not have control over your franchisor’s digital app — but you can control what happens once customers step inside your establishment. Companies like youtip and EasyTip allow customers to scan a QR code left on the counter, receipt, or employee badge and tip directly, keeping employees happy and making the process effortless for customers. Implemented correctly, it might be an ideal solution for everyone involved. Just remember that states have laws governing tips; familiarize yourself with them and act accordingly.

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An Eager Student Meet Shelby Smith! Paralegal Shelby Smith almost let law pass her by. “When I started college, I thought I wanted to go into nursing,” she remembers. “But during my prereqs, I had no interest in the science classes! I took a year off to do some general classes at a community college, and one was in criminal justice.” There, she found a new passion. Shelby has been with her husband for 14 years but only got married last July due to the pandemic forcing a reschedule. “We met in middle school and started dating in high school,” she explains. They have a Shiba Inu dog together and spend as

She returned to school and earned a criminal justice degree from Central Washington University. After graduating, she found an opportunity as a legal assistant in a bankruptcy law firm. That attorney shared office space with Nate and Alan, and eventually, Shelby began working for them instead. Shelby has now been working with Nate and Alan for six years — longer than West Coast Franchise Law has existed. “I started working with them on bankruptcy law and then began learning more about franchise business law,” she explains. Soon, she began doing paralegal work. “I never had an interest in law school,” she says, “so it seemed like the perfect job.” She now spends her days working on purchase agreements and reviewing contracts and transactions. Often, her work involves a lot of communication back and forth between buyers, sellers, and franchisors. “It’s a wide variety of work,” she says. “Every day is different. That’s why I love it here. I’m not tied to just one thing.”

much time with family and friends as possible. “It was so hard with COVID,” she says, “so when we can just get out after the past few years of being cooped up, we really enjoy it.” Shelby particularly loves the close-knit environment of West Coast Franchise Law. “It’s a really small office, and it doesn’t feel like I’m going to work every day,” she says. Shelby also appreciates the regular development

opportunities. “I love that Nate is always willing to teach me things. He doesn’t just answer a question quickly

and move on; he takes the time to explain it, so I get the full picture,” she says.

“That’s really different from a big law firm.”

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH RAINBOW FRITTATA

TAKE A BREAK

Impress Mom with this delicious breakfast recipe!

Ingredients:

Inspired by EatingWell.com

• • • • •

Nonstick cooking spray 1/4 cup sweet potato, diced 1/4 cup yellow pepper, diced 1/4 cup broccoli, chopped

•

Basil, thyme, salt, and pepper, to taste 1/2 avocado, pitted, peeled, and thinly sliced Cherry tomatoes, halved Sriracha hot sauce (optional)

•

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8 eggs

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and coat a cast-iron skillet with nonstick cooking spray. 2. In the skillet over medium heat, cook sweet potatoes, yellow pepper, and broccoli until soft. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. 4. Pour egg mixture into skillet with vegetables. Don’t stir but instead use a spatula to lift the edges of the egg mixture until it is evenly distributed.

Solution:

5. Transfer mixture to oven. Bake for 5 minutes or until the dish sets. 6. Top with avocado and tomatoes. Drizzle Sriracha on top (if desired).

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600 Stewart Street #1300 Seattle, WA 98101

westcoastf ranchiselaw.com | 206-903-0401

IN THIS ISSUE 1 2

Lessons Learned from Nate’s Best Teacher Hate Souvenir Shopping? Let’s Make It Easy Should You Have a Digital Tipping Solution? Meet Paralegal Shelby Smith! Mother’s Day Brunch Rainbow Frittata 5 Business Podcasts to Boost Growth

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5 Podcasts to Boost Your Business Growth We’re Listening — Are You?

‘Entrepreneurs on Fire’ — This award- winning podcast is hosted by author and thought leader John Lee Dumas. On it, he interviews entrepreneurs like Tony Robbins, Seth Godin, Gary Vaynerchuk, Barbara Corcoran, and Tim Ferriss and extracts business tips for you. Tune in for episodes like “How to Raise $400 million on the Internet and Build a FinTech Business with Jilliene Helman” and “Earn More with LinkedIn Sales Navigator with Julbert Abraham.” ‘Smart Business Revolution’ —Want more B2B clients? Then you might want to hear free, shared wisdom from some of the best, brightest, and most intriguing business minds in the world. Hosted by our very own John Corcoran, he’s interviewed hundreds of CEOs, founders, authors, and entrepreneurs, from Peter Diamandis and Adam Grant to Gary Vaynerchuk and Marie Forleo.

‘BizChix’ — “BizChix” is catered specifically to women entrepreneurs and hosted by business coach and strategist Natalie Eckdahl. The episodes mix business and advice and training with on-air coaching calls and interviews. If you’re looking for specific tips like how to pivot your client base or get in the hiring mindset, this podcast will be a perfect fit for you. ‘Wisdom From the Top’ — Hosted by Guy Raz of “How I Built This,” this podcast expands beyond business leaders to glean leadership tips from all fields, including army generals, scientists, and reporters as well as CEOs. As the podcast’s description puts it, “You’ll hear accounts of crisis, failure, turnaround, and triumph, as the leaders reveal their secrets on their way to the top. These are stories that didn’t make it into their company bios, with valuable lessons for anyone trying to make it in business.”

All of these podcasts are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and a variety of other platforms. ‘How I Built This’ — Have you ever wondered what it was like behind the scenes in the early days of Coinbase? What about Expedia, Mailchimp, or Ben & Jerry’s? The “How I Built This” podcast from NPR dives into all of those stories and more during fascinating interviews with founders and CEOs. Find out what hurdles they faced, how they overcame them, and what lessons you can steal to level up your own business.

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