So, you want to work with a business lawyer. Or at least, you think it’s something you should do. Where in the world do you start? There are so many different areas to consider when running a business, it’s understandable business owners hesitate to invest their time and money into their legals. In my opinion, getting your legal documents in order and tailored specifically for your business is non-negotiable - and should be done with a professional. So, let’s explore why you should work with a business lawyer and where to begin when you decide to take the leap.

Do you really need website terms and conditions? 

You might have been told that these are just a “nice to have” or something you can copy from a template, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. If you have a website, which I’m guessing you do, Website Ts & Cs are non-negotiable for protecting your online space. 

They're more than just text at the bottom of your page; they're your shield as part of your core legal documents.

Engaging independent contractors can be a fabulous way to help you serve your clients, offering flexibility and specific expertise to meet the unique needs of your business. But are you certain your contractors are truly that? Or could they be deemed as employees under the law? It's a tricky distinction with significant legal and financial implications and this is a topic that has increasingly come into the spotlight in recent years. Just because an arrangement is labelled one way doesn't necessarily mean it holds legally.

For so many business owners, there's a lot of fear and uncertainty around the new Right to Disconnect rules on contacting their employees and the expectations around when employees should respond. But what if we could transform what seems like yet another layer of complexity into a unique opportunity for growth?

As a business coach, every conversation with a client is an opportunity to inspire, guide and transform their professional journey.  But amidst the excitement of promising transformative results, there's a critical conversation that often gets sidelined—what promises can you genuinely make, and more importantly, which ones are you legally bound to keep?

Have you ever made a business decision that went against your usual process, simply because you were trying to be nice? As women especially, we often feel pressure to please others and not come across as too rigid, but unfortunately, that often means that we as business owners pay the price. 

I recently faced a situation in my business just like this. I knew something needed to change in my processes to prevent it from happening again - but I couldn’t see the forest for the trees. The irony isn’t lost on me that I found myself struggling with the very thing I often preach to my clients about! However, I reached out to my friend Kate Addamo, an exceptionally talented business mentor, and her insights were invaluable.

Have you ever agreed to work with a client despite your gut screaming “No”?

I have, and it didn’t end well.

Today I’m sharing a story that my clients have asked for again and again – my worst client experience ever.  I’m not just complaining or airing grievances, I’m talking about the impact this experience had on how I approach my business and, more importantly, how I choose my clients.

The delivery of a premium client experience is not a set and forget process - it’s something that takes continuous work. While I’ve personally learnt a lot about the client journey throughout the years, I still ensure that I’m putting energy into refining my approach day by day. Someone who shares this ethos of putting the client front and centre is Marcus Syversten, a soul-led interior designer and dear client of mine.

I work with a lot of creative business owners and even though my clients span numerous industries, I’ve noticed some common legal issues for coaches, creatives and consultants that leave them vulnerable. The top three problems I see are scope creep, using templated legal documents and a lack of solid processes and systems.

Is having your clients sign your agreements electronically legal? Today, I’m diving into this topic and explaining the differences between digital and electronic signatures, when they’re okay to use and the circumstances in which they normally aren’t.

DIY is for Bunnings, not legals. I say this regularly, and there’s good reason for that: the amount of business owners using templates in order to save money is more than a little eye-watering. So to help you avoid getting caught up in any legal disputes, I want to take you through four crucial things that templated legals often miss - as well as the potential fallout if these gaps are left unaddressed.

Think back to when you started your business. I bet you were full of excitement, and nervousness. So maybe, like a lot of people, you looked around at successful businesses and decided to follow their lead. It makes sense, I mean if it’s working for them, it should work for you too, right? Wrong. You can never be sure what's going on behind the scenes, so copying their methods can spell big trouble for your business.

Adrenal fatigue, poor health, burnout - three struggles that many female business owners, including myself, are all too familiar with. If you’re a woman in business, it’s likely you’ll have experienced one - or all - of these symptoms of hustle culture. The question is, why do we accept the pressure of working ourselves into the ground as the norm?

I’m thrilled to share five key things you should know about me before we work together. 

Whether you're a new client curious about my process or someone who's followed me for a while but wants to understand more deeply, this is for you. I address some of the most frequent questions I get from clients and clarify my working style and values: 

Today on the podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome Sofia Bernardi, a mindset and business coach known for her refreshing honesty and dedication to helping her clients. In our conversation, Sofia shares invaluable insights into her journey, the importance of mindset in business and the frequent pitfalls coaches encounter when focusing on scaling their businesses.

Knowing who your competitors are and staying informed about industry trends is wise. It’s just good business - and being aware of what others are doing can even open the door for potential collaboration. However, there’s a big difference between taking inspiration from other businesses and flat out copying. That is certainly not okay.

Coaching can be an immensely valuable service for a business owner. Over the years, I've had some fantastic experiences with coaches who made a significant impact on my business journey. However, as the coach, it's crucial to make sure that you are running your business with an unwavering commitment to risk mitigation.

Since launching my business I’ve seen the story of business growth play out in many different ways. Sometimes it’s fantastic, with businesses taking off, flourishing, and setting up for long-term sustainability. However, sometimes businesses have folded, or suffered considerable losses. So, why does this happen? When growth occurs too quickly it becomes unsustainable and overwhelms the business.

Today I’m diving into one of the aspects of my work that truly sets my soul on fire—drafting client service agreements for small business owners. This agreement lays out the terms a business enters into with its clients, setting the stage for a smooth, professional relationship. Join me as I take you through the intricacies of legal agreements and why the client service agreement holds a special place in my heart.