Reardon Anderson - February 2021

Reardon Anderson - February 2021

ReardonAnderson C O U N S E L O R S A T L A W

ReardonAnderson.com

February 2021

AVOID A LEGAL DISASTER

TOP 5 MOST COMMON START-UP BUSINESS MISTAKES

A study by LegalShield revealed that while over 60% of small-business owners experienced legal issues within their first two years of business, only half sought professional legal help. At Reardon Anderson, we see a big problem with that. A simple legal misstep could lead to years of litigation, and even the most common business mistakes are far from easy to navigate.

procedures. It can sound intimidating to complete all the steps to protecting your intellectual property, but you can easily get through it by hiring an expert to do it for you.

No. 2: Not Registering Your Name

Whether you intend to be a sole proprietor or a corporation, make sure that nobody else is using the name you’ve chosen for your business. You don’t want to spend thousands of dollars designing a website, having a logo made, then printing business cards only to realize your company is going to endure lawsuits until it gives up its name.

Here are a few of the most common mistakes:

No. 1: Not Protecting Intellectual Property

Your company and trade secrets deserve to be protected — getting copyrights, patents, and trademark protection should be your first line of defense. However, all too often, business owners rush through these processes or avoid them entirely. This can lead to major complications down the road against competitors, like when ex- employees utilize your trade secrets. (This is also a great example of why nondisclosure agreements can be a very important part of your start-up’s protection as well, especially in its early days). Remember that you can register a trademark at both the state and federal levels, but patents and copyrights are federal

No. 3: Not Choosing a Business Structure

contract. Still waiting on your first customer? Create a standard contract for them anyway. Make sure it’s easy to understand and not too long. Then, talk to an attorney to ensure it’s favorable for your business and fair to customers. Not having reliable, well-written contracts can lead to lawsuits that will push your start-up backward instead of forward.

Starting as an LLC or corporation from the start can save you money on taxes and help clarify ownership structure from the very start, but you should choose the option that makes the most sense for your start-up. Remember to plan for growth and remove any potential causes of conflict or confusion, such as securing your partnership contracts, which we’ll expand on next.

No. 5: Not Having a Business Lawyer

No. 4: Not Creating Contracts

Having a lawyer on speed dial isn’t a bad idea as an entrepreneur. You’ll face a lot of difficult decisions, but no matter how confused you may feel, a business lawyer can always help explain your options and make it easier to plan your next move. We hope these tips will help you start your business safe and sound for its first few years and many more to come. From our whole team, we wish you a wonderful February! –The Reardon Anderson Firm

Do you have a partner? Put together a legally binding partnership agreement. Do you plan to have employees? Create an employee

“Your company and trade secrets deserve to be protected — getting copyrights, patents, and trademark protection should be your first line of defense.”

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Struggle With Small Talk? 5 Great Ways to Start a Business Call

No matter what field or industry you're in, you'll probably find yourself in an awkward business call at some point. Starting a conversation with someone you don’t know well can be a struggle, and that’s where small talk comes in. This necessary skill helps us get to know people when deeper conversation isn’t possible or appropriate.

These Dating Platforms Are for You! CALLING ALL SINGLE SPORTS FANS Roger and Mirka Federer. Julie and Zach Ertz. Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird. The world of sports is full of power couples who share the same drive, ambition, and passion for the game. Now, thanks to a series of dating apps and websites centered on sports and athletics, fans can find those same connections! Fitness-Singles.com and apps like Fittup, Meet Fit Singles, and Weights N’ Dates are the stuff sports fans' dreams are made of, especially around Valentine’s Day. But most of them are also great places to make friends with fellow enthusiasts or set up platonic training sessions. Fitness-Singles.com: The Athlete’s Match.com This is the self-proclaimed “world’s largest online dating community for sports and fitness enthusiasts.” When you sign up, you enter details like your gender, age, and activity preferences, as well as notes on the type of person you’re seeking. Are you into skydiving? Netball? Polo? There’s a match for that. No matter how obscure the sport, the site can help you find a “fitness date” or workout partner. Fittup: Fitness Friends Forever This app for iPhone and Android is geared more toward friendship than Fitness-Singles.com, but it’s just as easy to arrange a date as a hangout. Users choose their sports and activities of choice when they sign up, along with their level of skill. Then, they match with people in the same area who share their fitness passions. Chatting on the app is simple, and users can also plan meetups one-on-one or at local sports events. Download the app through the Apple App Store or Google Play. Datefit: Bumble for Athletes Datefit users make profiles and match with fellow sports and fitness enthusiasts nearby, either for romance or friendship. The app was named the No. 1 new dating app by Cosmopolitan in 2019 and was also featured in Women’s Health as “the place to be to start a healthy relationship.” You can check it out in the iTunes store or Datefit.com. Of course, you don’t have to go online to meet other sports fans and athletes. Gyms, sports bars, and local leagues are still options to some degree. But during this crazy time, it’s nice to know that a sports-based connection is only a few clicks away.

Starting the conversation may feel like a lot of pressure, but with these five phrases, you’ll get the conversation flowing in no time.

No. 1: “How long have you been in your position?” Show interest in what your fellow professional does by asking about their job and how long they’ve been doing it. People’s careers and life journeys may surprise you! If they aren’t open to talking about how they landed their current position, don’t worry — there are plenty of other ways to direct the conversation. No. 2: “Any plans this weekend/holiday?” Asking about someone’s interests, travel plans, or weekend activities not only helps you connect in the current conversation, but it also gives you a great way to start the conversation the next time you chat by following up! Ultimately, the goal of small talk is to enjoy a short conversation and get to know someone in a limited amount of time. This question lets the other person decide how much to share. No. 3: “Have you heard of what [famous person] is doing lately?” Talking about a celebrity’s recent movie, philanthropic efforts, or project can be a great way to open up the conversation and learn about interests you may have in common outside of work. No. 4: “Recently, I heard [local news fact.]” We’ll be straight: The news has become fairly political over the past few years. However, there’s always interesting local news that isn’t related to politics. Local news can be a fun way to stay in tune with the community and keep your small talk entertaining. No. 5: “I really enjoyed hearing about ...” When you’re trying to wind down the conversation or segue into another topic, this can be a great phrase to use to reference an interesting point in the conversation and say farewell!

Practicing these five phrases is a small way to make a big difference in your small-talk skills.

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THE BENEFITS OF SPENDING TIME IN THE MOUNTAINS

In the famous Swiss novel "Heidi,” a little girl recovers from her fragile health — both physically and mentally — by spending time in the mountains. There are plenty of anecdotal stories about the medicinal effects of mountain air, but how much is supported by research? Here's what there is evidence for so far: Cleaner, Pollution-Free Air One basic but important benefit of getting to a higher altitude is the escape from city pollution. It may surprise some city dwellers that air pollution is linked to asthma attacks for those with sensitive lungs and also to more serious conditions. Research suggests that prolonged exposure to air pollution may lead to chronic illnesses such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and other lung diseases.

a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, which is a cluster of conditions that include high blood pressure, excess body fat, and abnormal cholesterol.

Even more interesting, mountain air may passively improve your weight loss journey as well.

Natural Weight Loss One German study followed 20 obese men who lived in an environmental research station below the highest peak in the country. The subjects reached the peak effortlessly by railway or cable car, and they were allowed to eat as much as they liked. By the end of the week, however, each had lost an average of 1.5 kilograms or 3.3 pounds. Two factors are thought to have contributed to the weight loss: A naturally decreased appetite from the altitude (the men ate nearly 700 fewer calories than usual) and an increased metabolic rate. While there is still more to learn about the potential benefits of spending time in the mountains, these three studies give the greenlight for more high-altitude adventures.

Up in the mountains, you’ll likely be able to breathe a little easier.

Reduced Risk of Obesity and Heart Disease People who spend more time at high altitudes may also experience a decreased appetite and lower risk of obesity. One study from 2017 even found that living at a higher elevation is associated with

BALSAMIC ROASTED VEGETABLE PASTA

INGREDIENTS

1/2 tbsp grapeseed oil 2 1/2 lbs mixed vegetables of choice, chopped into 3/4-inch pieces (parsnips, turnips, carrots, butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, etc.)

1 shallot, thinly sliced

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2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 8 oz uncooked pasta 1/2 cup vegetable broth 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 handfuls arugula

Salt and pepper, to taste Nutritional yeast, to taste

1 red onion, chopped

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1 tbsp olive oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. In a large bowl, combine grapeseed oil, root vegetables, and onion. Toss until evenly coated, then spread the mixture across two foil-lined baking sheets. 3. Sprinkle vegetables with salt and pepper, then roast them for 35–40 minutes. While vegetables are roasting, cook pasta according to package directions. 4. When vegetables are done, heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Sauté shallots and garlic for 4–5 minutes. 5. Add the root vegetables and onion, pasta, vegetable broth, and vinegar to the pot and stir until warm. Add the arugula and cook until wilted. 6. Serve with salt, pepper, and nutritional yeast. Inspired by TheFullHelping.com

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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Top 5 Most Common Start-Up Business Mistakes

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What’s the Deal With Valentine’s Day Cards? Can Mountain Air Actually Improve Your Health? Balsamic Roasted Vegetable Pasta 5 Great Ways to Start a Business Call 3 Dating Platforms Made for Sports Fans (Yes, Really)

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WHY VALENTINE’S DAY IS THE ULTIMATE CARD HOLIDAY IT’S IN THE CARDS

This may be the first year in a long time that kids don’t pass out Valentine’s Day cards at school. Going in to the new year, the seasonal section of most stores is lined with cards featuring fun characters from superheroes to unicorns. Handing out cards is now a well-loved tradition, but have you ever wondered how Valentine’s Day became one of the biggest card-giving holidays of the year? Like many holiday traditions, the convention of handing out Valentine’s Day cards goes back centuries. During the 1700s, it became fashionable to trade Valentine’s Day cards with a short poem or verse. The popularity of swapping cards only increased throughout the 1800s. Sometimes, people would go as far as to paint or draw spring-like images on the cards. They were much more elaborate than what we typically see today, though they were still usually very small.

the originator of this holiday tradition was Saint Valentine himself. One story says that on the night before he was set to be executed, Valentine wrote a small letter to a jailer’s daughter. He ended the note with “Your Valentine.” It’s unknown whether that story is true, but to 18th century Europeans and Americans, it was inspiring! So inspiring, in fact, that the entire Valentine’s Day industry began to gain traction. A guidebook called “The Young Man’s Valentine” was published in 1797 to help suitors garner the attention of their love interests through the written word. Eventually, books aimed at women were also published, including “The Lady’s Own Valentine Writer,” which served much the same goal. These publications, along with young people writing notes to one another every February, have made Valentine’s Day cards an ingrained tradition, and now people can’t get enough of them!

But where did those folks get the idea? People of that era were likely inspired by stories that go back even further. There are legends that

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