Comments? Suggestions? Text the show here!

Your small business is poised for growth, but lurking legal risks could derail your success. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of growth and overlook the legal side of things. From employment laws and tax codes to those contracts that seem clear until they aren't, any of these can lead to expensive and time-consuming disputes.

So, how do you make sure your business is legally protected? Do you hire a full-time lawyer or a consultant? And are there other ways for you to stay compliant and reduce risks without breaking the bank?

In this episode, Michelle Bomberger and I discuss how you can minimize legal risks in your growing businesses. She shares how small business owners like you can protect themselves legally as the business expands including how to manage vendor and customer contracts, ensure compliance, and address employment issues during the recruitment process.

My guest today is Michelle Bomberger, CEO and Managing Attorney at Equinox Business Law Group. Michelle believes that every business deserves to have the same strategic law advantages as mega-corporations.

Her experience as a business owner and entrepreneur gives Michelle unique insights into the emotional and practical aspects of owning a business and how important legal infrastructure is to growth and success.

We discuss: (timestamps)

02:17 How business owners can minimize legal risk

04:10 Key points in vendor contracts for risk mitigation

06:36 Defining indemnification for business owners

08:36 Must-have items in customer contracts

9:23 Importance of tracking contract expiration dates

13:14 Essential components in employee contracts

16:57 Managing legal requirements for remote employees

18:47 Hiring HR experts for legal compliance

19:55 Integrating contracts, insurance, and business structure

24:37 Instances where the corporate veil can be pierced

27:16 Differences between professional liability and E&O insurance

28:55 Coordinating legal and insurance conversations

34:25 Key discussion points with a strategic legal advisor

36:44 Steps to gain better legal insight and minimize risks

Resources:

Michelle Bomberger, Strategic Legal Counsel, Founder and CEO, Equinox Law Group
https://equinoxbusinesslaw.com/

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellebomberger/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Equinoxbusinesslaw

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/equinoxlaw

Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@EquinoxBellevue

Kathy Svetina, Fractional CFO:
https://www.newcastlefinance.us/

Blog post | Minimizing Legal Risk in Your Growing Business
https://www.newcastlefinance.us/listen/minimizing-legal-risk-in-your-growing-business/

Is your growth causing financial headaches? Sales up, but profits lagging? Financial practices stuck in entry level mode?

Don't worry, it's not you—it's your financial setup.

Introducing NextGen Finance Blueprint by NewCastle Finance. This CFO-led roadmap: • Brings fuzzy finances into focus • Gives you a clear money picture • Creates a step-by-step action plan

Ready to level up? Visit newcastle.finance/blueprint

Comments? Suggestions? Text the show here!

Great businesses thrive by investing in their people. When companies face tough times, it's often due to a lack of workforce development.

If employees don't feel supported or aren't given chances to grow, it can lead to demotivation, higher turnover, and team dysfunction.

So, what is workforce development? How does it function, and how can you implement it effectively?

In this episode, Michelle Arentz and I chat about why workforce development matters and how creating a positive workplace culture can really boost employee retention and help your business grow. We talk about what makes the recruitment process effective and share some handy tips for small businesses to keep their teams motivated and productive.

My guest today is Michelle Arentz. She is a workforce development consultant and founder of Lazarus Learning LLC. She is a workforce MD, helping companies enjoy a healthy bottom line by focusing on strengthening their hiring, teams, leaders, and cultures. She has woven a career tapestry of over 2 decades between corporate learning and development in both Canada and the US as well as spending 7 years as a high school teacher.

We discuss: (timestamps)

01:50 The negative effects of the lack of intentional culture-building

5:40 The Four core elements of company culture

13:14 Treating employees well for better business outcomes

17:16 Avoiding the "Penny wise and pound foolish" trap

21:09 Employees are an asset, not an expense

26:18 The importance of employee happiness

33:45 Communicating changes effectively

37:40 Developing management skills in small businesses

43:50 One actionable step to move your company closer to your goals

Resources:
Michelle Arentz, Workforce Development Consultant, Founder of Lazarus Learning:
www.lazaruslearning.com

LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/lazaruslearning

Email:
advance@lazaruslearning.com

Kathy Svetina, Fractional CFO:
https://www.newcastlefinance.us/

Blog post | How Workforce Development Drives Business Growth
https://www.newcastlefinance.us/listen/how-workforce-development-drives-business-growth/

Is your growth causing financial headaches? Sales up, but profits lagging? Financial practices stuck in entry level mode?

Don't worry, it's not you—it's your financial setup.

Introducing NextGen Finance Blueprint by NewCastle Finance. This CFO-led roadmap: • Brings fuzzy finances into focus • Gives you a clear money picture • Creates a step-by-step action plan

Ready to level up? Visit newcastle.finance/blueprint

Comments? Suggestions? Text the show here!

Employee retention lies at the heart of every successful business. It's the lifeline that keeps productivity high and morale even higher, making your team feel valued and appreciated, and motivating them to do their best.

Yet, many companies struggle with keeping their best talent. Even businesses that seem great on paper often face high turnover rates. So why is it becoming harder to retain your employees? Why is this a recurring issue? What makes people want to leave? And what can you do to really show you appreciate them in a personal and relevant way?

In this episode, Kristie Holmes and I talk about what it takes to retain great talent in small businesses. She shares the basics of employee retention strategies and provides practical tips for businesses aiming to build and maintain strong teams.

Kristie is the dynamic force behind The HR Dept. With over 15 years of profound experience in recruiting and Human Resources across a spectrum of industries, she embodies the spirit of innovation and dedication. Her mission to provide tailored HR services ensures that small businesses not only survive but thrive in today's competitive landscape.

Download her HR templates to help you get your recruitment process in place:

https://thehrdeptky.com/resources/

We discuss: (timestamps)

02:49 Why a good retention strategy is important

04:14 Common issues affecting employee retention

07:36 The perceived appreciation gap between managers and employees

08:34 Practical ways for managers to show appreciation to employees

10:02 The impact of public appreciation on company culture

11:07 Monetary and non-monetary methods to appreciate employees

16:09 Showing appreciation to remote teams

17:37 Effective methods for remote team appreciation

21:45 Employee training and development on a tight budget

24:04 Implementing an official mentorship program

25:29 Rewarding employees who mentor others

27:41 Encouraging employee-to-employee appreciation

30:19 Examples of successful employee retention strategies

36:16 Actionable steps to take to foster appreciation and gratitude

Resources:

Kristie Holmes, Owner, The HR Dept, LLC
https://thehrdeptky.com/

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hr-dept-llc/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thehrdeptky/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thehrdeptky

Kathy Svetina, Fractional CFO:
https://www.newcastlefinance.us/

Blog post | How to Retain Your Best Employees

Is your growth causing financial headaches? Sales up, but profits lagging? Financial practices stuck in entry level mode?

Don't worry, it's not you—it's your financial setup.

Introducing NextGen Finance Blueprint by NewCastle Finance. This CFO-led roadmap: • Brings fuzzy finances into focus • Gives you a clear money picture • Creates a step-by-step action plan

Ready to level up? Visit newcastle.finance/blueprint