Part 1 of 3

Trademarks & Patents: Do you really need one?

• intro to me + basic definitions of trademarks/copyrights/patents
• picking a brand name, making sure it’s available before you brand
• how the trademark process works (search, file, 6 month waiting period, publication)
• DIY vs. hiring an attorney (how each works, pros and cons)
• how to stop copycats (when to reach out, how to reach out, when not to reach out)

Resources & Links

Part 2 of 3

Woman Owned Business Certification

• Marie Rachelle, 10 years as a freelance social media manager, content writer, and PR specialist, now Founder of Convergence Coworking, speaker and marketing consultant
• Advantages to being a WMBE
• Requirements to apply
• How to apply
• Where to seek help
• Opportunities as a WMBE
• Summary: becoming a WMBE can be advantageous to you and your freelance business if you plan to work on government contracts or apply for grants. It can be tedious, so ensuring you’re going to utilize the certification vs. time needed to apply is important. Overall, being a WMBE is something to be proud of – also see Veteran Owned Business Certification and LGBT Business Enterprise certification.

Resources & Links

Part 3 of 3

How to incorporate your business simply (which format is best for different situations)

Toni Xu, Xu Law Group

• What type of legal entities should you choose for your business?
• Should you start a sole proprietorship? What about a LLC, a partnership, or a corporation?
• My name is Toni Xu, founding attorney at Xu Law Group. We specialize in helping global entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses.
• Comparisons:
  • DBA, or “Doing Business As”
  • Partnership
  • Corporation – C-Corp and S-Corp
  • LLC

Resources & Links