Legal Help for Your Business

Authentic Business Adventures Podcast

Carolyn Jahnke - Athena Legal Solutions LLC On the Spirit of Entrepreneurs: "In the entrepreneurial world, we all know that there's plenty of room at the table for all of us. And so we're happy to share all the horrible mistakes we made doing it, and so that you don't go through that pain." Business owners will need to meet and use a business attorney at some point in their entrepreneurial journey. Whether you need advice to make sure you follow the rules, or you end up with a customer that skipped paying you, attorneys are a fact of life as an entrepreneur. Carolyn Jahnke, the founding attorney of Athena Legal Solutions has found this need and brought to small business the solution they need. Carolyn shares invaluable legal advice for small business owners, delving into important topics like LLC formation, the complexities of filing requirements, and the impact of the Corporate Transparency Act. She offers practical strategies for protecting your business, from trademarks and copyright to risk management and client contracts. Carolyn also opens up about her journey from corporate law to running her own firm, highlighting the significance of networking, referrals, and building connections within the local business community. With a special focus on helping women entrepreneurs, Carolyn's firm aims to provide wisdom and comprehensive legal solutions in a flexible, supportive environment. Tune in to gain insights into managing legal challenges, understanding the nuances of intellectual property, and the importance of legal structures in safeguarding your business. Listen as Carolyn explains her legal philosophy of how to help small business owners, as well as how she built her law practice to help others and keep her schedule where she wants it to make sure she can enjoy life. Enjoy! Visit Carolyn at: https://athenalegalsolutionsllc.com/ Podcast Overview: 05:10 Uncertainty in podcast success and hypothetical scenarios. 09:07 City says business can't operate in neighborhood. 10:37 Consult your accountant for personalized tax advice. 13:23 Most people are good; legal letters persuade. 18:21 Food entrepreneurs often have extensive industry knowledge. 19:29 Discussing business risks and trademark considerations. 23:26 Trademarks protect service-related symbols and sounds. 27:11 Copyright changes invalidate existing registration; frequent updates complicate. 29:12 Business value critical for using AI-generated content. 32:27 Surprise seeing own book listed as used. 37:23 Legal helps businesses balance goals and risks. 40:26 Proof of ownership required; combats money laundering. 42:00 Law introduction delayed; lawsuits followed implementation. 45:47 Confused about money laundering form complexity. 48:59 Entrepreneurs collaborate; corporate competes for position. Podcast Transcription: Carolyn Jahnke [00:00:00]: Like you don't have to form an LLC, right? Like that's not. James [00:00:03]: You do not. That is true. Carolyn Jahnke [00:00:04]: You do not, right? So you could choose to leave all your business and personal assets intermingled. But now you're putting your personal assets at risk if something happens in your business and vice versa. James [00:00:17]: So Yeah. Is that Carolyn Jahnke [00:00:18]: a risk you On take? James [00:00:21]: You have found Authentic Business Adventures, the business program that brings you the struggles, stories, and triumphs and successes of business owners across the land. Downloadable audio episodes can be found in the podcast link found at draw in customers dot com. We are locally underwritten by the Bank of Sun Prairie, and today, we're welcoming slash preparing to learn from Carolyn Jahnke, the founding attorney of Athena Legal Solutions. So Carolyn, how is it going today? Carolyn Jahnke [00:00:46]: Good. How are you? James [00:00:47]: I am excited. We're talking business law.