Looking back over 2020, we wanted to wrap up our second season by sharing the most valuable nuggets we've uncovered over these last several months that could both provide insight in to protecting your business as well as some topics to think about as you GROW your business (despite the uniqueness of this year). Both Harmony and Ginny took some time to think about their biggest nuggets of wisdom they found this year, the business trends they see sticking around, and the biggest takeaways they have for you, our listeners. Enjoy and here are the episodes they referenced if you'd like to go deeper into any given topic. Episode 2: What To Do if an Employee Tests Positive for COVID? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2e2-what-to-do-if-an-employee-tests-positive-for-covid-19/id1481400664?i=1000476710955  Episode 13: 7 Big Questions We Keep Getting About Doing Business Right Now https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2e13-7-big-questions-we-keep-getting-about-doing-business/id1481400664?i=1000489587104  Episode 7: How Can I Secure Funding During the Pandemic? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2e7-how-can-i-secure-funding-during-the-pandemic/id1481400664?i=1000485218740  Episode 9: How To Stay Funded During the Pandemic https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2e9-how-to-stay-funded-during-the-pandemic/id1481400664?i=1000486506753  Episode 10: Can Insurance Be a Business Life Saver? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2e10-can-insurance-be-a-business-saver/id1481400664?i=1000487628681  Episode 6: What Do I Need to Know About Marketing Online? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2e6-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-marketing-online/id1481400664?i=1000480943703  Episode 14: What About Online Privacy Concerns During a Pandemic? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2e14-what-about-online-privacy-concerns-during-a-pandemic/id1481400664?i=1000491107136  Thanks again for joining us this season! We look forward to serving you up some great content in Season 3! 

Think Outside the Firm

S2E16: Which 2020 Business Trends and Issues are Here to Stay... And How You Can Set Yourself up for Success in 2021

With so many unknowns and rapidly changing dynamics, sometimes it makes sense as a business owner to talk with a lawyer to make sure you're protected and know all your options. In today's episode, we talk about some specific and timely scenarios in which a lawyer might be very helpful to you, the small business owner. In this week's "Caught Doing Good" Segment, we actually focus on a trend of rapid business growth... athleisure. It's a segment of retail clothing that has seen ENORMOUS growth during this season with so many people working from home. Why do we say this segment has been caught doing good? Not only does it provide a comfortable option for work clothes, it's also a fast-growing segment of clothing for those looking to launch a business in this space. So, the "good" is both now and in business potential. Want to learn more about how to pandemic-proof your business during this time? Visit: http://mypandemicproofbusiness.com  Grab your copy of the Lucy Report today! In response to today's environment, we are making access to it FREE for a short period of time. Learn more at http://thelucyreport.com 

S2E15: Pandemic Uncertainty... When Does it Make Sense to Talk with a Lawyer?

2020 has seemed like the year of "whack-a-mole." We try to solve one problem over here, and something else pops up other there... It may feel like this in your business, as well. Perhaps you solved the problem of moving much of your business online, but that creates another problem... There are SO many laws and regulations around online activity, and while we covered some on a previous episode (S2E6: Marketing Online and S2E4: Privacy Online), we're going deeper today on some of the implications doing business online can mean for you. And in this week's Caught Doing Good, we're honored to feature a brilliant young entrepreneur, Paris Williams, a six-year-old from St Louis, Missouri. She founded Paris Cares to bring books and food to the homeless in her area. To learn more and contribute, visit: https://bonfire.com/pariscares  

S2E14: What About Online Privacy Concerns During a Pandemic?

Together, we're ventured into the unknown of doing business during a pandemic. We all have questions about how this season will affect how we do business in the long-term, but in the meantime, this week's episode covers the 7 biggest questions we keep hearing from the small business community. And in this week's Caught Doing Good segment, we're honored to feature Cleo, a company dedicated to solving the childcare problem that's arisen during this time. Want to learn more about their great work? Visit: www.hicleo.com  Want to learn more about how to pandemic-proof your business during this time? Visit: http://mypandemicproofbusiness.com  Grab your copy of the Lucy Report today! In response to today's environment, we are making access to it FREE for a short period of time. Learn more at http://thelucyreport.com 

S2E13: 7 Big Questions We Keep Getting About Doing Business Right Now

Do you currently have a lease for your office or retail business? Are you considering opening a business that will need physical space during this time? In this week's episode, we go over some very important and timely considerations such as: - What if you're looking to get out of your lease? What options may you have? - Understanding some very important verbiage in your lease - Some questions to consider if you're looking to sign a lease during the pandemic Also, in our Caught Doing Good segment, we're excited to feature Ocala Drive-In Move Theatre in Florida. In fact, if you're looking for a unique movie-going experience right now, find a drive-in movie theatre near you at www.driveinmovie.com  Want to learn more about how to pandemic-proof your business during this time? Visit: http://mypandemicproofbusiness.com  Grab your copy of the Lucy Report today! In response to today's environment, we are making access to it FREE for a short period of time. Learn more at http://thelucyreport.com 

S2E12: Business Leases and the Pandemic... What You Need to Know

 If you're considering the launch of your own business during this season, this episode is for you!   We discuss certain industries that may be worth exploring, pose questions every potential business owner should ask themselves, and talk about momentum... among other things!   In this week's "Caught Doing Good" segment, we feature a household name. Even though we typically like to feature small businesses that are doing good in their own community, Hanes caught our eye with what they're doing these days...   They've launched a campaign they call #maskaround geared toward encouraging Americans to wear a mask while out and about, AND they've donated 1 Million masks to those experiencing homelessness during this difficult time. Thanks, Hanes!   Want to learn more about how to pandemic-proof your business during this time? Visit: http://mypandemicproofbusiness.com   Grab your copy of the Lucy Report today! In response to today's environment, we are making access to it FREE for a short period of time.   Learn more at http://thelucyreport.com   

S2E11: Planning to Launch a Business During the Pandemic?

Have you considered the fact that your business insurance could be a lifeline for you during these times? In this week's episode, we're diving into a lesser-known asset pretty much all businesses have... insurance. And depending on your policy, you may have access to additional resources. Grab your policy and listen to this week's episode to learn more. To discover all of the resources mentioned on this podcast and more, visit: https://www.mypandemicproofbusiness.com/post/business-interruption-insurance-is-your-lifesaver  In our Caught Doing Good segment, we're excited to feature iFixIt, a startup focused on helping hospitals keep their devices up and running by distributing medical device manuals and other related documents since repair services are having difficulty keeping up with demand right now. To learn more, visit https://ifixit.com  

S2E10: Can Insurance Be A Business Saver?

Are there more sources of funding out there for businesses struggling to get through this pandemic? If you're such a business owner, be encouraged! There are multiple sources of funding available and additional sources come online every month. In this week's episode, Legal Information Guide Steven Davidson walks us through a couple of those options currently available such as the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). Want to read his full article? Check it out here: https://www.mypandemicproofbusiness.com/post/save-your-business-with-the-economic-injury-disaster-loan  In our "Caught Doing Good" segment, we feature two small businesses in the heart of Silicon Valley as this business-owner-couple redefines how their businesses serve clients as a hair salon and a nail salon. If you're in the Santa Clara area, learn more by calling them at: Sean’s barbershop: (408) 244-7488 Orchid Nail Lounge: (408) 244-7488 Want to learn more about how to pandemic-proof your business during this time? Visit: http://mypandemicproofbusiness.com  Grab your copy of the Lucy Report today! In response to today's environment, we are making access to it FREE for a short period of time. Learn more at http://thelucyreport.com    Don't miss a single episode! Subscribe today!

S2E9: How to Stay Funded During the Pandemic

As a small business owner, are you or someone you know considering bankruptcy during the season? if so that's nothing to be ashamed about. And this week's episode we're talking about the different types of bankruptcy options a business owner may have during the season and we also discussed the different protections, options, and forms of flexibility bankruptcy may afford. Though it's a heavy topic we hope to take some of the stigma out of it and provide powerful resources and answers to questions business owners may have during these uncertain times.   Additionally, in our “Caught Doing Good” segment, we discuss a gym called Be Strong Gym located in Indiana that has discovered flexible ways of helping their customer base during this time to maintain loyal customers as well as bring additional revenues into the business. To find out more, visit https://be-strong.squarespace.com

S2E8: Real Talk About Bankruptcy Options in the Time of COVID-19

Are you looking for outside funding during this season? Whether it be relief programs, loans, or even investor funding we've got your back! That's what we're discussing on this week's episode with our own Legal Information Guide, Natalia Navarro. Also, in this week's "Caught Doing Good" we focus on co-host Ginny's hometown, Phoenix, AZ, that's been hard-hit by COVID. The Phoenix Inn, Maricopa County, and Circle the City have linked arms to help the more vulnerable COVID victims during the heat of the summer... the County's homeless population. Also, check out all of the incredible resources our Pandemic Response Team has been working hard to create for you! Links referenced: https://sec.gov 

S2E7: How Can I Secure Funding During the Pandemic?

During the Pandemic, have you moved more of your marketing online? Or are you thinking about bringing more of your marketing online? Either way, this week's episode was made just for you. We discuss the importance of knowing the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) requirements on things like claims you make, avoiding deception, and much more! Looking to read more about these requirements? Visit https://ftc.gov  And in this week's segment of Caught Doing Good, we want to recognize a new company called Global PPE who is working to make sure highly vulnerable groups of people, namely Native populations in the Southwest, have access to PPE. Well done! To learn more about their work, visit https://global-ppe.com  Want to learn more about how to pandemic-proof your business during this time? Visit: http://mypandemicproofbusiness.com  Grab your copy of the Lucy Report today! In response to today's environment, we are making access to it FREE for a short period of time. Learn more at http://thelucyreport.com 

S2E6: What Do I Need to Know About Marketing Online?

It's a great question, right? And we certainly hope you're in the position to hire someone during the Pandemic. But several new concerns and questions arise around everything from the job description (What should you say about working remotely? Or safety concerns an applicant may have if the job is on-site?) to the interview process (What questions can you ask and which may violate new or existing laws?). And can you require an applicant to be tested for COVID? So many questions come up and our very own Legal Information Guide, Vanessa Chang, joins us to share all of the research she's done on the topic. And, in this week's "Caught Doing Good" we're featuring an art gallery/tattoo shop in Kentucky (wait til you hear why!). Learn more about them at https://galleryxartcollective.com

S2E5: How Should I Hire Someone During The Pandemic?

COVID has opened our eyes to the importance of businesses having an online component. But if your business is new to the online world, you may be wondering "What do I need to know about doing business online?" Great question! We've got you covered. In this week's episode, we talk about the very important issue of online privacy. Over time, legislation has supported the notion that businesses (and the access they have to their users/consumers information) have a responsibility to protect their users' privacy as it pertains to transactions that happen on their site. Pandemic Response Team member and Legal Information Guide, John Alec Stouras joins us today to share the research he's done on this increasingly important topic. In our weekly Caught Doing Good segment, we wanted to feature a couple of businesses that are using their platform to help support black-owned businesses: Yelp.com will be introducing a way to search for black-owned businesses. Uber Eats will be waiving their delivery fees for black-owned restaurants for the rest of 2020! And if you'd like to find more information on how to support black-owned businesses, we encourage you to visit: https://webuyblack.com  Want to learn more about how to pandemic-proof your business during this time? Visit: http://mypandemicproofbusiness.com  Grab your copy of the Lucy Report today! In response to today's environment, we are making access to it FREE for a short period of time. Learn more at http://thelucyreport.com 

S2E4: Now That Your Business is Online, What Should I Know About Privacy Issues?

Last week we discussed what happens from a privacy and workplace safety perspective if an employee tests positive for COVID-19. This week we talk about paid sick leave implications during the pandemic. But before we get there, our "Caught Doing Good" segment features Optimusride.com, a driverless car startup that pivoted during this time to serve a community suffering from food insecurity by delivering these families meals. This week's Legal Information Guide, Rayan Omer, shares what she's learned in her extensive research on this topic. Since this episode is pretty dense with information and acronyms, visit the article she wrote complete with links to additional information here: https://www.mypandemicproofbusiness.com/post/paying-the-sick-and-tired

S2E3: What About Paid Sick Leave During a Pandemic?

As an employer, what are your legal requirements regarding employee health? And if (heaven forbid) one of your employees starts showing symptoms of COVID-19 or tests positive, what does the law require you to do to ensure privacy but also maintain a safe working environment? In this week's episode, we discuss this topic with legal information guide and member of Legalucy's Pandemic Response Team, Shelby Matsumura. We also reveal which small business was "Caught Doing Good" during this trying season. Additionally, we share some great news about a now-free resource created just for you: the small business owner who wants to not only survive but thrive in the post-COVID-19 world. To learn more, visit: http://mypandemicproofbusiness.com  And, a for a limited time only, to access your copy of the Lucy Report for FREE, visit: http://thelucyreport.com 

S2E2: What To Do if an Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to launch a Silicon Valley tech company? But this isn’t just ANY startup, this company is changing the way legal gets done! Legalucy empowers business owners to spot issues, take action, and stay safe... To earn, protect, and attract more money. Because in business, it pays to know what you don’t know! Hosted by Harmony Oswald and Ginny Townsend, welcome to Think Outside the Firm, the podcast where business owners get the inside scoop from Legalucy, your interactive, pre-lawyer assistant, and we’re inviting you along for the ride. Together, let’s change the way legal gets done!

hubhopper

Think Outside the Firm

hubhopper