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I’ll be honest with you here. If you’re kinda on the fence about this whole entrepreneurship thing, if you’re dabbling and treating it like a hobby, then you shouldn’t bother with a trademark. 

On the other hand, if you are ALL IN with this, if you’re making money, you’ve invested in building your brand, and you have plans to grow, it’s time for a trademark!! 

If I had to make a guess about what’s keeping you from taking the next step, I’d have to say mindset. 

I know, that might be a strange thing for an attorney to say, but after spending 23 years building my own entrepreneurial empire, I firmly believe that all success begins with mindset. 

Here are some of the reasons people give me about why they’re not ready for a trademark. Notice how each relates to a potential mindset block. 

• My business isn’t big enough yet
• I’m not making enough profit yet
• I’m not sure how long I’ll be in this business — what if it fails?
• I need to hit x, y, z milestone first, then I’ll trademark

Each of those reasons above boils down to one limiting belief: you’re not sure you have what it takes to make your business successful.

I’d challenge you: is that really true? If so, what is your plan to move forward? Will you continue to play small, reacting defensively if someone challenges you with a cease and desist or the outright theft of your property? 

Or will you rise to the next level, claiming your space and identity as an expert and successful leader in your space? 

If you’ve been following me for awhile, you’ve heard me say: 

I believe that when we are in fear, we cannot grow. 

When you have your trademark secured, your entire outlook on your business will shift, you’ll experience true peace of mind as you confidently take action to grow your empire. 

If you are all in, if you are committed to your business and brand identity, and if intend to keep making money…  it’s time for a trademark.

Just a reminder - Trademarking takes approximately 12 months, meaning we have to file this quarter if you want your trademark within the next year.

I’m currently taking trademark clients through the end of 2021, but because this is such a high-touch service, I only have 5 more slots available this year.

If you wait to apply, you won’t receive your trademark until 2023. #CarpeDiem

Yes, I’m Ready to Talk Trademarks! 

There are several reasons you might be tempted to continue running your business without proper legal protections in place. 

• You don’t know where to start.
• You don’t know what you need to protect now, and what can wait until later.
• You assume it’s going to cost too much.
• You’re happy to just swipe generic language from the internet.
• You’ll worry about it later. 
• Everything will probably be fine anyway, so why bother?

Does any of that sound familiar?

Here’s the thing, dear reader. Everything is always fine…until it isn’t. And the degree to which you leave your business exposed and vulnerable will dictate just how un-fine it will be. After serving clients for over 26 years as a small business and trademark attorney, I know firsthand that, eventually, most business owners’ luck will run out. It might be in the form of client drama, stolen content, or worst-case scenario legal issues, and it is never fun to clean up the mess after the damage has been done. 

Think about it. The best time to take care of the legal side of your business is when everything is bright, sunny, and calm. If you wait for the gray clouds and angry skies to roll in… you might find yourself in the middle of a legal thunderstorm, and you’re gonna have to do some serious clean-up afterward.

I hope you are finding yourself in a bright, sunshiny place right now, and I sincerely hope you’ll stay there forever!

But is it worth risking all that potential damage, just because you “hope” the weather won’t take a turn? 

I want to make it as easy as possible for you to get your business buttoned up nice and tight. Let’s finally cross LEGAL off your business to-do list! 

Just keep reading, and choose what best fits your current business situation:

If you…

Work With Clients: you must have a written Client 1:1 Agreement in place. This gets you both on the same page before you start working together. It creates clear boundaries around money, scope, and your shared content. With all of the housekeeping handled upfront, you can begin your working relationship with clarity, harmony, and immediate trust.

Sell Digital Products, Courses, or Group Programs: you need a written Terms of Use agreement. This sets up all the rules for the purchase of your group programs, digital downloads, online courses, evergreen products, and more. It covers the use of your content, payments, and more in any transaction when you have less direct communication between you and your customer.

Want to Hire a Team Member: you must use a written Contractor Service Agreement. This powerful agreement covers the scope of the working relationship, definitions of the nature of the relationship of the parties as Independent Contractors, Intellectual Property ownership provisions, confidentiality provisions, termination of the relationship, dispute resolution, and more.

Speak on Podcasts, Stages, or at Live Events: you need to use a Professional Speaker Agreement. It covers your entire agreement with the host, including whether and how you may make an offer from the stage, your requirements for audio-visual support, ownership of the Intellectual Property created at the event, cancellation by either party, coverage of expenses, and much more.

Want to save even more with a complete bundle to fit your needs??

Check out 3 of my core foundational bundles. From just-the-basics-ma’am for the beginner to the whole enchilada for course creators, I’ve got a bundle that’s perfect for every stage of business:

Just the Basics: #1 Priority Mini-Disclaimer Pack

For the entrepreneur who wants (or needs) to take baby steps, your Mini-Disclaimer tells people what you do, and more importantly, what you *don’t* do. It is the number one legal protection you must have in place to stay out of hot water! Post your official legal disclaimer on emails, your website, social channels, client handouts, and more.

Protect My Website : The Big 3 Website Protection Package

Protect your online real estate with the three essential agreements you must have before hitting publish on your website: your Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, and Website Disclaimer. Stay compliant with international privacy laws and keep your business safe.

Create & Launch My Course Legally : Course Creator Bundle

Everything you need to create, launch and sell your online course legally. This bundle includes the 7 key agreements you need to protect your content and your profits: Terms of Use, Testimonial Release, Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, Website Disclaimer, Contractor Service Agreement, and Affiliate Agreement. Launch your course with confidence and peace of mind!

Want the ultimate one-stop solution, a bundle with everything you need to build a strong legal foundation?

You need The Legal Umbrella® Foundations Bundle.  

This suite of 10 extraordinarily protective, lawyer-drafted contract and agreement templates offers you the security to run a successful business with peace of mind that legal issues aren’t going to rain on your parade.

It includes ten essential contracts, many of which were listed above as à la carte options. Save big by grabbing the whole bundle today! 

• Website Terms and Conditions
• Website Privacy Policy
• Website Disclaimer

#1 Priority Mini-Disclaimer and #1 Priority Mini-Mini-Disclaimer

• Client Agreement 1:1 
• Terms of Use for Group Programs/Digital Products/Online Courses
• Extended Payment Plan
• Credit Card Authorization Form
• Testimonial Release
• Live Event Publicity Release

Read more about how each template protects your business, and why each one is so essential: The Legal Umbrella® : Legal Foundations – Layne Lyons Inc 

I know it’s tempting to continue operating your business in a legal gray area. It can feel intimidating, overwhelming, and like a whole lotta work when everything is probably going to be fine anyway, right? Well…you already know how I feel about that 😉 

Trust me, it is not worth the risk to remain unprotected in your business, especially when you have the perfect solution right here, ready to use! 

Have questions about which contract or bundle is right for you? Just leave a comment, or reach out to layne@laynelyons.com and my team will be happy to help! 

You might be wondering… 

What can a trademark really do for me, Layne? Do I really need to do this now? 

Let’s talk about it! 

Here are the key benefits to securing your trademark now: 

1. You stake a claim to your brand identity, meaning no one can force you to take everything down and start over again with a total rebrand. A forced rebrand can be devastating for a small business. All the time and money you invested in growing your audience, poof! Gone in the blink of a cease & desist letter with solid grounds. 
2. You OWN your brand identity. See a copycat? Is a new podcast being mistaken for yours? Is there a new user on Instagram with your trademarked name? Your circle R gives you the power to issue takedown notices to anyone who infringes on your brand. 
3. Your trademark shows others that you are LEGIT and your brand is VALUABLE. You are in this for the long haul, which makes potential clients, investors, and collab partners all the more confident in working with you. If you want to partner, leverage, or license your business assets, registering your Intellectual Property is the first necessary step you have to take. #HelloPassiveIncome 🤩
4. You can safely grow your brand with confidence, knowing that the reputation you are building will never be separated from the mark your audience knows you by. 

All of this boils down to one key benefit: FEARLESS CONFIDENCE 

Confidence to share

Confidence to create

Confidence to grow

Confidence to scale

Confidence to dream 

Can you really afford to wait much longer, crossing your fingers and hoping for the best each time you press “publish” on new content? 

If you are ready to explore how trademarks can offer you next-level protection and some serious confidence boosting, let’s chat. Your shiny circle R is waiting. 🤩

Yes, Let's Talk Trademarks

Don’t wait to book that call: 

🚨  If you wait to apply, I can promise you WILL NOT receive your trademark until 2025. Processing takes 8-12 months, meaning we have to file this quarter if you want your trademark within the next year.