This is not our first rant about online DIY legal planning. Here are some good reasons why generic legal documents are no good. This post, specifically, is about generic operating agreements for your business. If you own an LLC, you should have an operating agreement for your company.
Business Owners Drinking with Lawyer-Humans – Ep 04
When the Texans Failed to Score
I sat down with fellow attorney, Sam Mukerji, of the Mukerji Law Firm to drink Topo Chicos and talk about what personal injury law is. His law firm is in the heart of midtown in Houston, TX. It’s across from the Spec’s, which has an impressive wine and beer selection (Spec’s has all alcohol, but the wine selection is truly overwhelming).
Personal Injury (PI) attorneys are a misunderstood bunch. People turn to PI attorneys often when they are really hurting and going through tough times. Sam and the attorneys at his firm help bring a human element to their ilk. Sam has always been a helpful and generous business owner and person within my community. Over about 15 minutes, we talk about his family, starting a business, having family members pursue business endeavors later in life, and football (can you talk to someone from Texas without mentioning football? It’s tough).
Topo Chicos are the sparkling water of choice for discerning Texans (this isn’t an ad, just an opinion…a correct opinion). Check them out if you have a chance. Check back OR contact me (shreya@layroots.com) if you want information about the Mukerji law firm St. Patrick’s Day party.
Video not your bag? Please subscribe to our Audio-Only versions on Stitcher here or Itunes here.
You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel: here.
By the way, if you know of any cool business owners who might want to be interviewed or just have general feedback, let me know at shreya@layroots.com.
Holla at me on Instagram (@shreyley) or through our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LayRootsLegal).
Business Owners Drinking with Lawyer-Humans – Ep. 03
Strangers in a Strange Land
This episode is coming to you from a real life microbrewery in Austin, TX! My first introduction to Strange Land Brewery was meeting Tim Klatt through a friend during SXSW. We went to his house, met his lovely family, and made us a platter of various pickled vegatables (sold as Hat Creek Pickle Company) and gave us tastes of beers-in-the-making. SXSW is a magical time in Austin and this was certainly a standout moment. I’m not a big pickle person, in general, but I can get into some pickled okra or some of the Texas Kraut that they make.
I was very excited about the beers because, as we talk about, they don’t conform to the over-hyped IPA’s. They just brew some really tasty beer.
Before we sat down to talk, I insisted on visiting the tasting room which is attached to the brewery and getting a tour of the facilities. I used to be a chemical engineer (and still claim to be sometimes) so I can nerd out over the vats and batch processes and equipment used to make beer. We don’t really talk about that on camera, but the tasting room was hopping (no pun intended), and I made a friend while sitting at the bar.
I got to try the Alemania, the Ploughshare Saison, a honey mead scotch ale blend, and then the Belgian Trippel.
On camera, we drank the delicious Belgian Trippel at 10:30 in the morning – breakfast of champions. Check out more pictures below the video. And if you’re ever in Austin (like for SXSW), grab a burger at Hat Creek and get some beer from Strange Land Brewery.
Video not your bag? Please subscribe to our Audio-Only versions on Stitcher here or Itunes here.
You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel: here.
By the way, if you know of any cool business owners who might want to be interviewed or just have general feedback, let me know at shreya@layroots.com.
Holla at me on Twitter (@layyourroots), Instagram (@shreyley), or through our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LayRootsLegal).
Business Owners Drinking with Lawyer-Humans – Ep. 02
LayRoots & La Forêt Bakery & Mulled Coffee Rum Drinks
In this episode, I sit down with a wonderful business owner, Taryn Borges. La Forêt Bakery not only brings to life her thoughtful and delicious creations for the Seattle population, but she also whips up delicious cocktails.
We spend the episode discussing entrepreneurship and music and how rum is delicious. Our cocktail consists of Stumptown mulled coffee and a dark rum. Although the holidays are over, the weather is still frosty and there’s nothing like a little rum and coffee to put some pep in your step and to warm your soul.
Her bakery is wholesale and catering only, so you can find the goods all over the city (good news for me since walking down to the coffee shop for a pick-me-up and an afternoon treat brings me joy). Be sure to check back consistently because she uses fresh and local ingredients for her very seasonal menu.
Find the goods at Broadcast Coffee, Caffe Fiore, Vivace, Street Bean, the University of Washington Bookstore, and an expanding list of cafe’s. Hope you enjoy the show!
Video not your bag? Please subscribe to our Audio-Only versions on Stitcher here or Itunes here.
You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel: here.
By the way, if you know of any cool business owners who might want to be interviewed or just have general feedback, let me know at shreya@layroots.com.
Holla at me on Twitter (@layyourroots), Instagram (@shreyley), or through our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LayRootsLegal).
Business Owners Drinking with Lawyer-Humans – Ep. 01
Annnnnd, we’re off!
Please indulge us. In my first interview, I’ve managed to interview the elusive Chief Lawyer-Human of LayRoots – Colin Ley. We discuss his punk rock roots, Rainier Beer, entrepreneurship, and are delightfully awkward throughout.
We hope you enjoy and stay tuned for our next episode featuring a scrumptious, Seattle-based bakery owner.
Video not your bag? Please subscribe to our Audio-Only versions on Stitcher here or Itunes here.
You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel: here.
By the way, if you know of any cool business owners who might want to be interviewed or just have general feedback, let me know at shreya@layroots.com.
Can I use a generic contract for my business?
“I need a contract for my business”
The words that make me cringe…”I found this contract on the internet…” almost always followed with, “can you look over it for me?”
Is using a contract off of the internet always going to land you in some terrible spot? No. Of course not. Let me, however, tell you why I would always recommend you get a contract written for you.
1) Contracts should lay the groundwork for your business and your services. A contract, at minimum, sets out what you expect the other person to do for you and how you plan to repay them for their actions. It also sets the tone for how you like to do business with others. It is your opportunity to receive goods, payments, or services in the ways that fit with your business and business model while allowing you to be flexible in areas that you foresee growth, change, or in areas that you do not feel as strongly about.
Having your own contract in place shows potential business partners that you have really thought about your business and its future.
2) Contracts should protect your particular needs. Let’s say that seatbelts were not adjustable. Each car’s seatbelt is set to protect the average person. Would you feel safe? What if the seatbelt was either gaping on you and you could slide out OR what if the seatbelt was way too tight and you could not buckle it? You do not get into an accident every time you get into your car. You have the seatbelt there in case something goes wrong. So, it should be fine to buy a seatbelt meant to fit someone else, right? Most people would look at me like I’m crazy. I would look at me like I’m crazy. I would never buy a car if the seatbelt did not fit me!
If you would not buy a car without a seatbelt that fits you, why would you use a contract that does not fit you? Your contracts protect you, specifically. They have give, where necessary, but place clear boundaries to protect your business and your assets.
3) It will save you money. Are legal services an investment? Sure they are. They are an investment in your business. It is a small investment in your business that should help you close better deals, have better business relationships, and help protect what you have created. A good contract keeps you from getting involved in lawsuits with unreasonable people because you took the time and spent the money to really outline what you find acceptable and unacceptable. The contract forces you to have an honest discussion with your business partner(s) about what to expect.
4) More on why it will save you money. By using a contract you found on the internet, you will end up creating more work for me. I like to provide my clients with flat fee billing to help you budget. When I start from scratch or use my own templates, I can accurately predict how much time something will take me and can provide you with my flat fee billing options. I can provide you with more service and better quality service. When you present me with someone else’s contract from who knows where – I am not just “looking over the contract,” but then am also having to edit or re-write the contract. Since I do not know what the contract looks like what I will have to do to it, I cannot provide you with flat fees.
You end up unhappy because you get a big bill that you do not understand. I am unhappy because you are unhappy and because I spent twice as long doing something. Want more information on how to invest in your business? Contact us today!
