Creative Counsel with Brittany Ratelle

Accounting Tips for Creatives with The Designer CPA Peter Lang - 31

January 19, 2019 20:14 - 32 minutes - 26.2 MB

Make friends with your numbers in this episode with Peter Lang, a CPA who specializes in working with creatives, designers, and online entrepreneurs. Peter, a 17-year veteran accountant digs into the most common myths and problems he sees creative making, and how getting a handle on your numbers can do more than just simplify tax time. In this episode of Law & Wit, you will learn: When should a creative professional/designer entrepreneur find an accountant? How do you find a good one? ...

How to Make Money as a Content Creator Without "Selling Out" - 30

January 13, 2019 07:29 - 42 minutes - 34 MB

Likes, follows, and DMs don't actually pay the bills -- so how do people actually "make money" from creating content -- as a blogger, vLogger, Instagrammer, influencer, or other type of content creator? And what tips and tricks can help you diversify your income, monetize your talents AND not alienate the followers you have come to love and appreciate. This episode shares eight ways content creators make their money and tackles some mindshift blocks that may be keeping you from adding them t...

Living with Real Comfort and Joy with the Paperdolls

December 21, 2018 23:46 - 57 minutes - 47.5 MB

Do you know what isn’t always comfortable? Going for your dreams. Like sell-your-house, load your knapsack into a bus and hit the road with your family band kind of discomfort. This episode gives a behind-the-scenes look at an incredibly talented quartet of sisters, the Paper Dolls, (previously known as the Red Head Express) and their creative musical journey across the American landscape. With performances in all 50 states, 11 years of singing together and more than 3,000 shows -- these si...

4 Tips to Keep Content Creators Out of Legal Hot Water - 28

December 12, 2018 23:55 - 33 minutes - 26.9 MB

Are you unknowingly doing some of these "common" online practices that may be putting your business at risk? Brittany Ratelle, Attorney for creative entrepreneurs, shares the FOUR things she sees content creators getting wrong online and what you can do to set up smarter and safer workflows for your business. Whether you are an influencer, business owner, freelancer, or creative service-provider, get a handle on these four legal pitfalls and make a plan to serve yourself and your community b...

Growing a Successful Creative Business with Shea Mcgee of Studio Mcgee

December 04, 2018 08:23 - 45 minutes - 36.7 MB

Listen in to this rocketing designer who has built a design company with more than 30 employees in just three years. Shea McGee of Studio Mcgee interior design firm and Mcgee & Co. store shares her story of getting started in the design world, despite lacking a degree in interior design. She talks about bringing on her spouse to scale her business and how approaching a creative business with fresh eyes can do more than create a killer "before" and "after" shot. Dig into the lessons she has l...

What is a DBA?

November 18, 2018 01:01 - 22 minutes - 43 MB

Have you heard or seen DBAs mentioned in contracts or among your business peers and wondered whether you are one of if you need one? Or whether it's the right fit for your business? Dig into this episode and finally get some clarity about this alphabet soup mumbo-jumbo acronym that gets tossed around like a runny salad dressing...and get the info you need to get your creative business set up for success. Make sure you have the foundations in place to support your business where it is at r...

Being Legal Online with Richard Chapo

October 29, 2018 04:56 - 44 minutes - 35.4 MB

Dive in with two savvy internet attorneys in sharing the need-to-know tips for online business owners who want to grow their businesses in the ever-changing digital frontier. Special guest Richard Chapo, a California-based Internet attorney who has helped the Who's Who of internet businesses, shares his tips to help understand what is going on with privacy, copyright, and the "splinternet" concept of legal zones online. In this episode, you'll learn: Why you need to care about the GDPR ...

6 Ways a Trademark Can Protect Your Brand - 24

October 12, 2018 22:52 - 28 minutes - 22.9 MB

Do you want to know what trademark can protect and why you might need one? Tune in to this episode of Law and Wit: Creative Counsel for Entrepreneurs and learn about federal trademarks and how can they help protect your brand. This episode from attorney-for-creatives Brittany Ratelle dives into the tips and tricks of using these registrations to protect the distinct characteristics of your business that may be at risk of getting ripped off, counterfeited, or diluted by other competitors or b...

Building an Engaged Community with Andrea Faulkner Williams of Tubby Todd - 23

October 03, 2018 04:50 - 47 minutes - 81.2 MB

Want to have die-hard fans for your brand? Listen in to this interview with Andrea Williams, co-founder of Tubby Todd, an all-natural bath products company that believes in good, clean fun for the whole family. Andrea gives a behind-the-scenes look at her entrepreneurial journey, from product development to getting those few bottles in the hands of the right influencers, to quitting her husband from his job to jump all-in, to bringing on investors in the company so it can sustainably grow. S...

PR Lessons From a Red Carpet Showroom with Ashley Michaelsen - 22

September 15, 2018 16:10 - 50 minutes - 40.3 MB

Get the inside scoop on promoting like a fashion insider with model, fashion blogger and PR guru Ashley Michaelson. We dive into networking, pitching, and making the most of your resources to promote your brand. Ashley shares some of her inside tips from running AMPR, a PR boutique agency based in the bustling heart of Hollywood. She gives us a peek inside the glitzy world of fashion publicity and shares what she learned about launching her own clothing line, switching careers and not being...

6 Truths to Pump POW You Up When You Need Some Entrepreneur Motivation - 21

August 31, 2018 23:55 - 43 minutes - 68.3 MB

Have you ever felt stuck in the business of your business? Do you like pick-me-ups? Pep talks? Words of wisdom that are tied to actionable tips and strategies for moving forward?? Then listen in to this episode (and relisten, rinse and repeat as necessary) so you can get the confidence to move your gig forward. In this episode of Law and Wit: Creative Counsel for Entrepreneurs, Brittany Ratelle, attorney for creative entrepreneurs dives into: why your human brain wants to poke holes in your...

6 Truths to Pump POW You Up When You Need Some Entrepreneur Motivation - 021

August 31, 2018 23:55 - 43 minutes - 68.3 MB

Have you ever felt stuck in the business of your business? Do you like pick-me-ups? Pep talks? Words of wisdom that are tied to actionable tips and strategies for moving forward?? Then listen in to this episode (and relisten, rinse and repeat as necessary) so you can get the confidence to move your gig forward. In this episode of Law and Wit: Creative Counsel for Entrepreneurs, Brittany Ratelle, attorney for creative entrepreneurs dives into: why your human brain wants to poke holes in your...

Getting over the Wall with Ashley Mitchell of Lifetime Healing - 20

August 17, 2018 19:02 - 54 minutes - 87.9 MB

Buckle in for an amazing chat with birth mom advocate and serial entrepreneur Ashley Mitchell of Lifetime Healing and Big Tough Girl! Ashley set out to increase care, understanding, and resources for birth mothers and has walked the WALK. For almost a decade, she has been one of the most consistent and sought after birth mother voices in the nation. Well known for her vulnerability and transparency in adoption, her story has touched the hearts of countless members of the adoption community a...

Legalize your E-commerce Site in 6 Steps - 19

August 11, 2018 16:06 - 31 minutes - 61.4 MB

Get the 6-step plan to legalize your indie e-commerce site or Etsy shop so you can run your online product business with confidence and avoid the most common legal mistakes of small business e-retailers. You will learn: If you should Incorporate or register your business (refers to L&W episode 6) How to do a basic clearance of your business name (L&W episode 10 -- more info coming on trademarks!) What legal statements/information you need on your site (L&W episode 4) for FYI & CYA S...

3 Tips to Find your authentic voice with Rosemary Card of Q.Noor - 018

June 15, 2018 07:21 - 53 minutes - 87.1 MB

3 Tips to Find your Authentic Voice with Rosemary Card of Q.Noor Get inspired by runway model-turned-retail CEO Rosemary Card who has successfully launched her own clothing store that empowers and enlightens women. Rosemary shares her story of moving to NYC to model in high fashion at age 16 and her journey of self-discovery and grit in launching her own retail brand of LDS temple dresses without any capital, fashion degree or e-commerce experience. She shares her secrets for connecting to...

6 Must-Haves for a SOLID Influencer Marketing Agreement - 017

June 08, 2018 06:07 - 31 minutes - 59.7 MB

Whether you are an influencer/content creator or brand, dig into the 6 terms you must have spelled-out in a good sponsored content contract for an influencer marketing campaign. You will learn: What homework you need to do before you get into influencer marketing Payment/compensation language you want What is a "kill switch" and why you want one How a business DTR (define-the-relationship) can help out with exclusivity negotiations Copyright Ownership and editorial control and w...

Using Legal to Stay On-Brand with Attorney Caroline J. Fox - 016

May 25, 2018 06:06 - 50 minutes - 91.8 MB

You get TWO awesome attorneys dishing on how legal can help your brand stay on-brand and afloat during the highs and lows of modern business. Learn about how intellectual property, good contracts, and good business "marriages" can keep your creative biz safe. You will learn: Where to start and get yourself organized. What is the MOST important thing you should be doing with your contracts (hint -- it is not making paper flowers...I know you are creatives...but you got to stay with me h...

GDPR for online entrepreneurs - 5 Step Guide - 015

May 08, 2018 23:30 - 25 minutes - 49.1 MB

How does the GDPR apply to an US-based business operating online? Find out in this no-nonsense 5-step guide to getting your online activities compliant before the May 25th deadline. Learn why the GDPR matters to you, even if you are a US-based business and how to avoid paying some of the hefty fines involved with breaching new data and privacy regulations. In this episode, you will learn: how to obtain consent from new email subscribers when and how the GDPR applies to your business...

8 Tips to Get Your Podcast Legit - 014

April 20, 2018 04:54 - 25 minutes - 47.3 MB

Learn how to make your podcast legally legit with this digestible info session on trademarks and branding, copyright, using music, having guests, and working with co-hosts. Don't feel overwhelmed as a podcaster or worse -- delay starting or growing your podcast because YOU don't have the tips and tricks to confidently move your business forward. In this episode, you'll learn: how copyrights work with podcasts if you can use commercial music what should a guest release cover how...

10 must-know contract terms for creatives - 013

March 09, 2018 18:59 - 32 minutes - 61.6 MB

Want to know how what a kill fee is? Or how you protect your right to display creative work in your portfolio? This episodes explains the ten most important contract terms that you can't afford NOT to know, no matter what you do as a creative small business owner or indie entrepreneur. Trade those shrugs and nervous signatures for some confidence and listen up to this latest episode of Law and Wit: Creative Counsel for Entrepreneurs. You will learn: What Schwarzenegger would say about con...

Creating Space for Creativity with Miranda Anderson of Live Free Creative - 012

February 11, 2018 00:38 - 56 minutes - 105 MB

In this episode, Miranda, a maker, adventurer, creative mama, and the blogger behind Live Free Creative Company shares her tips on creating space for creativity and ultimately living a more creative and intentional lifestyle. Miranda explains how a nurse educator became a maker -- then a blogger - and then a content creator for herself and other successful brands. She talks about the giant mindset shifts she had had in embracing “functional minimalism” with her husband and three kids and in ...

What to do when people copy your stuff - 11

February 04, 2018 06:01 - 27 minutes - 52.5 MB

Mad about copy-cats, rip-offs, and digital thieves? Get some clarity and a step-by-step action guide for handling creative theft. Full show notes available here (including a FREE handout) on brittanyratelle.com/11 In this episode, you will learn about: what is "copying" and what is just "inspired by" how to shift your mindset so that copying affects you LESS the 6-step plan to addressing copyright infringement why flaming someone on your social media channel is not a great gut-r...

What to do when people copy your stuff - 011

February 04, 2018 06:01 - 27 minutes - 52.5 MB

Mad about copy-cats, rip-offs, and digital thieves? Get some clarity and a step-by-step action guide for handling creative theft. Full show notes available here (including a FREE handout) on brittanyratelle.com/11 In this episode, you will learn about: what is "copying" and what is just "inspired by" how to shift your mindset so that copying affects you LESS the 6-step plan to addressing copyright infringement why flaming someone on your social media channel is not a great gut-r...

Copyrights vs. Trademarks - 010

January 26, 2018 07:15 - 24 minutes - 47.2 MB

This Intellectual Property 101 tutorial will walk you through the basics in copyrights vs. trademarks and how they most commonly used to protect your original content. Lock these two different tools down so you can go your own IP audit of where you may be leaving some of your original assets on the table. You will learn: what is a copyright? does the (c) symbol mean anything? how do you register a copyright and does it make a difference? what kind of things should you copyright? ...

How to Manage your Brand like the Pros - Lessons from Noelle Nicolai, Corporate Brand Strategist for Global Luxury Brands - 009

January 19, 2018 07:53 - 53 minutes - 43 MB

I know that seems like a bit of SEO stuffing in that title but WOW -- this is a fabulous episode. Noelle, who I happened to know before she shot up the creative corporate ladder, does a big reveal on what it is like to manage a global luxury brand -- actually 5 different brands -- and what the strategy room likes, beautiful cityscapes and all. You will learn about: the 2 things that make a GOOD brand some examples of who is not getting this right -- and why some great examples of ...

6 Business Resolutions to Rock the New Year - 008

January 05, 2018 05:53 - 27 minutes - 53.8 MB

Tune in for 6 things you can do to elevate your business this year! Whether you are an influencer, digital business owner, graphic designer, photographer, or run a product business with heavy online presence (and frankly who doesn't in 2018??) -- you'll find some nuggets here to be all that you can be -- in 2018. I'll be diving into registering your business as an LLC, what kind of contracts you might need, running your own website audit, some tips for managing a Facebook group, navigating...

Forging an Awesome Brand with Alison Faulkner of The Alison Show - 007

December 15, 2017 06:41 - 53 minutes - 44.5 MB

Episode 7: Join me in this SPECIAL interview episode of Law & Wit, with the branding boss babe herself -- Alison Faulkner of The Alison Show. Get down with Alison -- the girl who gave herself her own "show" and turned it into a highly engaging (and profitable) personal brand. Alison started as a blogger, creative, maker, and hostess extraordinaire -- throwing female-only dance parties for hundreds of women that sold out in minutes. She has brought all of that energetic storytelling and...

Do I need an LLC? - 006

December 08, 2017 06:56 - 17 minutes - 15.1 MB

Do I need an LLC? This week's episode dives into all things LLC (yeah you know me!) and explains why you need some more sand buckets in your life and your business. You will learn: What is an LLC -- (e.g. too much time has passed and you can't ask someone about for fear you will get all kinds of judg-y eyes) Where should I set one up? hint hint...Google University is NOT a law school...e.g. "I heard Nevada you don't have to pay taxes..." and other lies What if you already have an LLC...

How to be a Better Negotiator with Paul Leonard

December 01, 2017 06:33 - 26 minutes - 22.9 MB

Boom -- there it is. NEGOTIATION. Whether you love it or hate it or have had your fill because of bedtime book lists that can rival a college syllabus...you can't deny it's a critical skill to have in your entrepreneur toolbox. I dive deep with Paul Leonard, a media broker who wheeled and dealed in more than $7 billion dollars worth of media transactions during the 1990s. He then retired at 39 and has spent the last decade and a half golfing, helli-sking, paragliding, and looking very offici...

5 Legal Docs Your Website Needs - 004

November 25, 2017 06:09 - 30 minutes - 42.8 MB

Get the dish on 5 legal docs you MUST have on your website. Don't rely on your web developer to CYA --- find out what you need to do to protect your digital home or storefront. This episode dives into privacy policies, terms of use, copyright statements, ADA, and Federal Trade Commission disclosures. In this episode, you'll learn: the 5 legal docs you NEED to have on your website (see a similar post on this here) where these legal statements should live who is the FTC and why shoul...

Growing your team with Ashley Cox of Sprout HR - 003

November 17, 2017 05:36 - 43 minutes - 60.9 MB

Learn the smart way to grow your team with Ashley Cox of SpourtHr, a HR specialist helping creatives get the help they need to grow their businesses. She dishes on why you shouldn’t hire your best friend’s VA, and why advertising for “must love sprinkles” makes her little HR heart ache.

Cultivating creativity and confidence with Natashia McLean of Canary Jane - 002

November 17, 2017 05:28 - 38 minutes - 54.4 MB

Natasha McLean of Canary Jane, an illustrator, coloring book author, blogger and social media consultant shares her creative origin story and how to cultivate confidence and creativity for your business. She shares her three business laws that have helped her develop her successful personal brand and the tips to master any social media in this changing marketplace.

Introduction to Law and Wit - 001

November 15, 2017 22:51 - 13 minutes - 18.8 MB

Welcome to the first episode of Law and Wit: Creative Counsel for Entrepreneurs, with Brittany Ratelle. This podcast helps creative entrepreneurs and influencers confidently grow and scale their modern brands -- navigating the business side of content creation, influencer marketing, social media, e-commerce, and digital products. Brittany, a legal bestie for female entrepreneurs shares legal strategy in a fun and bite-size way so that you can be empowered in your creative business, whether...