Kelli Jones on Avoiding Legal Nightmares by Owning Your Brand with a Trademark - Episode 118

‘’Good contract is your first line of defense as a business owner.’’ Hey small biz owners! Did you trademark your business? If not, you need to listen up! In this episode of The Professional Rule Breaker, I chat with Kelli Jones, an attorney dedicated to helping entrepreneurs protect their hard work. Kelli shares the essentials of proactive legal protection—federal trademarks, solid contracts, and smart entity structuring. She explains why trademarking your brand is crucial and how a good contract can save you from headaches down the road. Plus, we discuss choosing the right business structure, like LLCs versus corporations. If you're ready to secure your business and build a strong legal foundation, this episode is for you! Don’t miss it!   Timestamps: 00:38 Meet Kelly Jones: Lawyer for Entrepreneurs 02:40 The Importance of Trademarks 05:27 Trademark Registration Process and Costs 12:16 LLC vs. Corporation: Choosing the Right Business Entity 14:23 Why Incorporate in Delaware? 17:55 The Role of Contracts in Business 22:20 Electronic Signatures and Contract Management 24:10 Common Contract Pitfalls and Solutions 28:35 Kelly Jones: The Rule-Breaking Lawyer   Key Topics Discussed: When and why you need a trademark, how to avoid costly rebranding, and what trademarks cover beyond just a name Why cookie-cutter contracts may fall short and how to manage “what-if” scenarios in contracts The differences between sole proprietorships, LLCs, and corporations, and how each impacts personal asset protection How filing early for a trademark or LLC can prevent future legal battles and financial headaches Tips for securely managing contracts and important documents in a digital age Stories of common legal missteps entrepreneurs make and how to avoid them Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts Love The Professional Rule Breaker podcast? Show your support by leaving us a 5-star rating and review! It helps others discover us and join our rule-breaking community. Click here to rate, review, and don't forget to follow for more episodes!   ➡️ Check out our episode resources here.