All the contracts I used to setup my business
When I started my business, I had a ton of questions about running and growing a business - but the biggest ones were:
What do I need to do to protect myself?
What do I need to do to stay compliant?
What's not required, but is recommended to do to stay protected!
Fortunately, I met Paige Hulse the owner of The Creative Law Shop®, shortly after I started my business. The Creative Law Shop® is focused on legally sound contracts for business owners, without the expense of an hourly rate…. and considering the fact that hiring a lawyer can easily cost 10x+ more when starting from scratch, The Creative Law Shop® contract templates are a great solution for new business owners to get started!
Now, before you read any further, THIS is super important!
The information provided on this website and blog is for informational purposes only. It should never be considered legal or financial advice, as I am not a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or accountant. The views and opinions expressed in this website are expressly my own, derived from my own experiences, and should never replace the opinion of a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or accountant. It is important for you to note that the needs of every individual, and every business are unique, and there is no “one size fits all” advice. You should consult with a licensed attorney, financial advisor, and/or accountant to determine what may be best for your individual needs. Additionally, I may earn a small commission when you use my coupon code/link to any products or services from this website. I care about integrity, so you should know I only offer affiliate links for resources/programs I've personally used and loved in my business and my client's businesses. Please only buy what you need, but rest assured knowing your support helps keep this content flowing!
Ok, back to the good stuff!
I met Paige at a retreat when my business was getting off the ground, and The Shop Creative Law® contract template shop blog and newsletter quickly became my favorite read. The site was so informative for running a legally sound business, that I knew I found one of my go-to resources before I even bought a contract template.
I was a customer of the shop long before I joined forces to be an affiliate, so make sure you use code: BROOKEOLSEN10 at checkout for an extra 10% off your orders! As an affiliate, I receive a small kickback if you use this code, but I choose to be an affiliate for services that I believe in and use in my own business.
Are you new to business?
First off, the team has some AWESOME guides available for FREE exclusively to their newsletter subscribers.
And if you’re new to business or just starting to dip your toe into starting a business, the ebooks are an easy way to figure out what you need to start (or grow) your business:
The Legal Foundations EBook - Start your business off on the right foot
Presenting your Contract EBook - Present your contract with confidence
The Legal Fundamentals of Hiring EBook - Get ready to make your first hire, legally
Are you already working with clients? Congratulations!
The Shop has a lot of specialized contracts (Graphic Designer, Stationery, Wedding Photographer, etc.) but if you’re not quite sure where you fit in, the Independent Contractor Agreement Template is an excellent way to start since it’s incredibly adaptable. And use code BROOKEOLSEN10 (<-Yup, that’s an affiliate link) to save yourself an extra 10% at checkout.
Do you have a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) Business?
An Operating Agreement for LLC is one of the documents that separates you from your business. The shop has both a Single Person LLC and a Multi Member LLC operating agreement.
Do you have a website?
You need a Privacy Policy. After learning more, I found out this was required in the US!
If you have anything on your website that you want to protect, then you’ll also want a Terms and Conditions - This isn’t required, but can help you out if someone tries to copy you!
You can also buy the Website Basics Bundle which includes both the Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions with one purchase.
Do you sell stuff online?
If you have an online shop, you’ll want the Terms and Conditions for Online Sale. You know all the important notes when you make that target purchase? No? Look below your purchase or flip over your receipt to see what you agreed to at checkout! And yes, this is important for digital shop owners too!
Or Snag the Online Shop Bundle which includes the Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, and Terms and Conditions for Online Sale with one purchase.
Do you have an online course?
If you sell an online course, you’ll want the Terms and Conditions for Online Course. All the terms of purchasing your course will hang out here!
Or Snag the Online Course Bundle which includes the Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, and Terms and Conditions for Online Course with one purchase.
Do you have an affiliate program for your online shop or courses?
The Affiliate Agreement will be an asset in setting terms, determine kickback schedules, and reminding people how their affiliate link will be captured and the expectations are for payouts, and to stay in the program.
Do you have a sticky situation in your business?
Having an unhappy client or finding out you’ve been copied provides all sorts of ick in our minds, but it’s best to be prepared (or know what to do if it happens).
The Termination Agreement is great if you need to part ways with your client. Even though you’ve both agreed to a service (and there’s a termination clause in it), it’s important to have a document that notes the end of your working relationship together, especially if they have an event date or project date that will require your team on-site for their event or to complete a task by a deadline.
The Cease & Desist for Social Media is for when you’ve been copied. I don’t start with this, but if the person copying you isn’t budging or is profiting off of your work, this is a swift kick in the pants to end it now.
Obviously, this isn’t an all-encompassing list, but it’s a helpful start!
And don’t forget to snag your bonus 10% off by using code: BROOKEOLSEN10 (<- don’t forget - that’s an affiliate link) at checkout!
Ready to learn more?
Start HERE to learn more about why you want a CRM system:
Not sure which CRM system is for you? Check out this pros + cons list to get started:
BLOG: Check out the pros and cons of the CRM systems I’ve tested!
Do you have a written process for your business?
BLOG: Why you need a written process for your business
Ready to set up your CRM system?
Grab my FREE workbook below!
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