Podcast

Prevention is better than cure - you’ve heard me say it again and again. And today I’m sharing a real client story of a business owner who faced a disaster that could have been completely avoided if she had the right systems and procedures in place.

My client did almost everything right - but when her business started growing and life got more hectic, things started falling through the cracks. All it took was one mistake and she suffered a five-figure blow without a legal leg to stand on. I will never forget the phone call I received because it absolutely made my blood run cold.

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What if the one thing standing between you and peak productivity isn't your morning routine, your task management system or even your mindset—but something you never thought to question?

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A client came to me recently after she lost a $30,000 deal because her generic contract had vague intellectual property terms that couldn't give her potential client the assurance they needed about IP rights and ownership. 

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Let’s talk about something crucial for small business owners: the big shake-up in privacy laws and how it intertwines with AI. Trust me, this isn’t just some bureaucratic mumbo jumbo; it’s real and important.

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EOFY is a perfect time to step back, assess what's working and make strategic adjustments before diving into the next twelve months. So today I'm sharing the exact process I use every year in my own business and with the clients I work with to realign vision and build strong foundations for the year ahead

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Running a business is deeply personal and today I’m sharing a special episode for all my interior design business owners out there. Your creativity, your vision, your late nights perfecting client presentations - it's all an extension of who you are. But here's what I've learned from countless conversations with designers: passion alone won't protect your business when things go wrong.

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In this deeply personal episode, I'm revealing the profound personal moments that truly shaped me into the lawyer I am today. I'm pulling back the curtain on three pivotal experiences that fundamentally changed my approach to law and business.

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I talk to business owners quite regularly who think they're doing their clients a favour by keeping their legal contracts short and sweet. However by trying to be "nice", they’re doing more harm than good. Providing your clients with a short and sweet contract is not setting them, or you, up for success. Today I’m sharing three areas where I see contracts backfire when business owners are just trying to be nice.

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Something quite concerning that I see almost weekly in my business is when business coaches overstep and get it wrong.

A great business coach is invaluable for growth and strategy but when it comes to legal advice, there is a hard line and they should not be crossing it.

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With the first quarter rush easing, this time of year gives us a moment that's rare in business - a natural pause. Personally, I take this time of year as an opportunity to look at my business with fresh eyes by asking myself 5 powerful questions. 

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Today I’m talking about what I think is a pretty sexy angle when it comes to contracts: money. Yes, the hard cash that can silently slip away if your business's terms and conditions are not watertight, or if they’re lacking altogether. Let's uncover how this happens and what you can do about it.

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When I start working with a new client, a question I frequently ask is: "What do you want to achieve in this next season of your business?" Nearly every time, the responses revolve around gaining more clients, revenue or growth. Yet, the tool that most powerfully supports this growth is often misunderstood—the legal documents.

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Keeping up with legal updates can be overwhelming and confusing. If you’re like most of my clients, you’ve probably felt unsure about where to source reliable information. With the huge amount of content floating around online, it’s easy to get lost in what's accurate and applicable to you. So, today I’m guiding you through some critical legal changes you need to be aware of as a service-based small business owner.

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Let’s talk about AI and business contracts. If you're like me, you're always on the lookout for tools that could streamline our work processes, save us time and of course, save us a bit of money. But when it comes to something as critical as business contracts, should we actually entrust this task to AI? Generative and anthropic AI are great at churning out content, but when the stakes are high and involve the legalities of business contracts, there's a lot to consider.

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It’s the 200th episode of the Rise Up in Business podcast and I want to celebrate by talking about one of my all-time favourite topics—contracts. 

They’re not just a legal requirement to get out of the way. When done right, they can be a powerful tool for navigating the stress and success of running your own business. 

So what’s the difference between an ineffective contract, and an excellent one? 

Well, the first thing to remember is that your contracts belong to you—yes, even if a lawyer drafts them. They're an extension of your business brand. It's so crucial to ensure they look and sound like your business. 

Imagine presenting a 42-page contract drafted in indecipherable jargon to your clients. Is that a good look? Absolutely not. 

Instead, we want to create contracts that are on-brand, understandable, and worthy of pride. This is your business’s voice, after all.

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Ready to leave behind the corporate grind and become your own boss? 

You’re not alone!

Over the last year, I've seen a big increase in clients seeking my guidance as they set up their own businesses. They come from various industries, each with unique skills and backgrounds, but they’re all asking the same question: "How do I successfully make this leap?"

I absolutely love answering this question and helping budding business owners feel confident and secure as they set out on their journey. Which is why today I’m breaking down what you need to consider from a legal perspective when moving from corporate to consultancy.

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Aligning with the right clients and parting ways where necessary is a positive indicator of growth—it's a necessary part of evolution. As our businesses grow, our service offerings and client profiles naturally transform. Recognising misaligned client relationships isn't a reflection of carrying out something incorrectly; it's merely an acknowledgment of normal progress.

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For years, I eyed LinkedIn from a distance, slightly overwhelmed and uncertain about how to start, until the end of last year when I decided it was time for a change. And today, who better to help guide us in navigating these sometimes murky waters than Amy Smith, an online business coach for service-based business owners and someone whose insights I hold in high regard.

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As we step into the new year brimming with potential and opportunity, I find myself reflecting deeply on the lessons that have shaped my journey. I hope your festive season was everything you wished for, filled with joy, relaxation, and precious moments with loved ones. As we transition back into the hustle and bustle of business, I want to share a revelation that has been pivotal for me—a lesson that even after nearly six years in my current business and over a decade earlier in litigation, I continually revisit. It’s a lesson in boundaries and the complex dynamics between business and friendship.

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As we near the end of another year, it's a time filled with joy and festivities that naturally lend themselves to reflection and renewal. I've managed to create a smooth transition into this season, and while it hasn't always been seamless, I've learned to cherish this time as an opportunity to reset and prepare for the year ahead. Today, I’m sharing with you my process for doing just that. 

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