YAY, you started a business! You finally decided to quit your 9-5 and make your side gig your main gig. I love that for you.
You finally get to do the thing that you love so much without punching someone else’s clock. The DREAM right?!
It is the dream for so many people, so if you’ve recently started a new business, are in the midst of doing so, or plan to anytime soon, I want you to know that I’m cheering you on. 🎉
But as a lawyer for the business girlies, I’d be remiss not to tell you about one of the most IMPORTANT things you need to do when starting your business.
No, it’s not filing for your LLC. (Even though that’s important too.)
No, it’s not building a website. (Even though a website is def something you’ll want to have.)
No, it’s not creating the perfect social media marketing plan. (Even though social can be a great tool for your biz.)
In fact, what I’m about to say miiightttt not sound all that fun. I’ll be the first to admit it. But in order to enjoy the FUN, you need this. Trust me.
The thing in question? Professional. Contracts.
I warned you that it wasn’t going to sound fun, but before you click out of this blog post, you should know that I’m not like a regular lawyer. I’m a cool lawyer who has a history of making boring things FUN so that you can create the business you’ve always dreamed of, but also like… do it legally, so you can actually enjoy it and reap the rewards!
The thing about starting a new business is that there’s not really anyone out there making sure that new business owners know all of the correct steps to take when they jump into the world of entrepreneurship.
It’s sort of like a rite of passage for business owners to experience trial and error and figure it out along the way.
And while I definitely had to experience that for myself, I believe that new business owners CAN start on steady ground and avoid some of the overwhelm and heartache that can come with starting a business from scratch.
The good news? YOU can be one of them since you were lucky enough to find my account and stumble upon this blog post.
My goal with The Boutique Lawyer is to make the sometimes daunting legal world feel more approachable by providing growth-minded entrepreneurs (like you!) with everything you need to protect your brand, your profits and your life’s work.
It’s time to stop avoiding the scary business things that you don’t understand and give yourself a legal leg up so you can spend MORE time doing the thing you set out to do in the first place.
So, let’s start with one of the most common mistakes that new business owners make so YOU can avoid it.
Why Professional Contracts Matter In Your Business
1. Credibility
As a new business owner, one of the things that you want to start building right away is credibility among your audience and potential clients. And as crazy as it might sound, using professional contracts can be one of the best ways to build credibility in your industry!
Your clients are more likely to trust and respect a business that uses clear, well-structured legal agreements. In fact, choosing NOT to use contracts in your business could be viewed as a major red flag.
Choosing to invest in professional contracts right away shows your dedication to professionalism and communicates to your clients that you take what you do seriously and you have their best interest at heart.
2. Legal Compliance
This one should go without saying, but using professionally drafted contracts in your business ensures that you are complying with current laws that are relevant to your business and industry.
As a new business owner, you already have a lot going on and your to-do list is probably looking extra lengthy. And I highly doubt that you want to add “brush up on business laws” to that list.
While it’s of course for you to be aware of various things in the legal world, it’s not necessarily your job to know the ins and outs of it all.
But you know whose job it is? MINE!
Opting for professionally drafted contracts that are created by legal experts (like me!) who are up-to-date on relevant laws and regulations instead of going the DIY route and ensure that you’re legally compliant and your business isn't left vulnerable to issues that could lead to costly legal disputes in the future.
3. Tailored to Your Business Needs
If there’s one thing that I want business owners to really understand, it’s that not all contracts are created equal!
While yes, having a contract of some kind is important, what’s even more important is that your contracts make sense for YOU and your business specifically.
Professional contracts are designed to meet the unique needs of your business, unlike DIY templates that may be too generic. A well-crafted contract takes into account the specific services, products, and legal obligations of your industry, ensuring that every clause reflects your business’s unique structure and goals.
This is the very reason that TBL’s Contract Template Shop features industry specific contracts for you to choose from!
4. Comprehensive Coverage
As a business owner, you don’t just want a contract that checks a few of the important boxes. You want a contract that covers EVERYTHING, from intellectual property protection to payment terms, dispute resolution, and everything in between, you want to make sure that your contract covers it all!
Unfortunately, DIY contracts often miss key clauses that are crucial for protecting your business. Professional contracts, on the other hand, include comprehensive terms that make sure you’re covered from A to Z!
5. Sets You Apart
Lastly, using professionally drafted contracts in your business can set you apart from your competitors, demonstrating your commitment to clear communication, legal protection, and mutual understanding, which can instill confidence in potential clients!
Because as mentioned earlier, contracts and other things in the legal world aren’t always the most fun thing to focus on.
Most business owners want to focus on the shiny things first – the website, the social platforms, the creative things. And while I TOTALLY get this and can honestly relate, I promise you when you make an effort to put professionalism at the forefront of your business, it pays off BIG TIME in the long run!
The Boutique Lawyer Contract Template Shop
So now that you know WHY professional contracts matter so much for your business, you might be wondering where the heck you can get them…
For your specific industry…
At a reasonable price…
With support and direction on how to edit and use them properly…
Let me introduce you to my pride and joy: TBL’s Contract Template Shop 📝
It’s the ultimate one stop shop for all of your legal contract needs.
While I’m sure that you can Google “contract templates for online business owners” and you’ll find dozens of options, my hope is that you aren’t just choosing the cheapest (or free) option that doesn’t also include everything you truly need to fully protect your business.
For a closer look at the contract templates we offer, CLICK HERE!
And if you’re not sure what contracts your online business needs? I’ve got you covered there too:
⭐️ 7 Essential Contracts for New Businesses
⭐️ 3 Legal Agreements To Implement Before You Sell ANYTHING Online
⭐️ The Top 3 Legal Agreements To Protect Your E-commerce Shop
⭐️ 5 Must Have Legal Agreements To Protect Your Online Course
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If we haven’t had the chance to *virtually* meet yet, hey I’m Amber – not a regular lawyer, but a cool lawyer that helps online business owners sell without getting sued.
If you like what you just read and want more cool lawyer things in your life, here’s a few ways to stay connected:
Let’s be pen pals! Subscribe to my email list to receive all of my best biz tips and behind the scenes goodies to keep your business bringing in sales (legally of course).
Binge the blog to get all of the legal information you need about running a business in a way that actually makes sense to your non-legal brain.
Come hang with me on the ‘gram! I often do AMA’s on stories, so you can submit your specific questions when they come up.
And if you’re in need of legal resources that you can ACTUALLY understand? Here’s a few ways I can help:
Step into TBL’s free library of legal resources for creative entrepreneurs where we throw open the doors and spill the tea on what works and what doesn't when it comes to legal protection, systems and sales.
Browse the contract template shop to find what’s missing in your biz and easily implement it with a plug and play template!
Need something else? Send me a DM! Always happy to lend a legal hand when I can.