Own Your Genius with LaConya Murray

Discover the hidden key to business success in our latest podcast episode: "How Your Mindset Shapes Your Business Success." As a seasoned business owner, Attorney Murray's learned that it takes more than just financial planning and innovative strategies to thrive. In this episode, she dives into the often overlooked power of mindset and how it influences every aspect of your entrepreneurial journey.

Today’s episode covers 

1. The Mindset Dynamo: Learn how your mindset fuels success by shaping your perception, decisions, and business trajectory.
2. The Growth Mindset theory:  Embrace failures as stepping stones and bridge the gap between believing and knowing with a powerful trick.
3. How to Identify Self Limiting Beliefs: Identify limiting beliefs, dissect lies, and replace them with empowering truths for unwavering confidence

Learn the actionable steps to confidently transition from an employee to a successful entrepreneur. Today’s podcast reveals five crucial strategies to help you navigate the journey.  Attorney Murray discusses not only the what but the how in this eye-opening episode. Gain confidence and set yourself up for entrepreneurial success with these essential tips. 

Today’s episode covers 

1. The importance of knowing your numbers. Numbers aren’t just for math geeks.  It’s essential for entrepreneurs to know where they are financially before launching their business 
2. Resources for market research. There’s no such thing as a saturated market. Just check grocery store aisle. 
3. Business planning. Having a written plan is like having a road map for your entrepreneurial journey.  There may be some detours along the way but at least you know where you’re headed. 

Uncover five essential considerations before entering a partnership, including shared vision, complementary skills, trust, defined roles, and risk assessment. Discover how these factors contribute to successful collaborations. Additionally, delve into four crucial contract clauses that can enhance partnership success, covering purpose and scope, contributions and responsibilities, profit-sharing, and termination. Learn how these clauses provide clarity and structure for effective collaborations. Don't miss this episode, where you'll gain valuable insights into building and protecting successful partnerships. 

The top three takeaways 

1. Alignment of Vision and Goals: Ensure shared vision and goals with your prospective partner to establish a clear direction and purpose for the partnership. 
2. Complementary Skills and Resources: Seek partners who bring complementary skills and resources to maximize the partnership's value and capabilities. This ensures a well-rounded and synergistic collaboration. 
3. Written Contracts: Define and clarify each partner's roles, responsibilities, and ownership of intellectual property. This mitigates confusion and establishes a foundation for efficient decision-making and asset protection. 

Description  Uncover the hidden world of trade secrets and the thrilling journey of leaving a job to start a business in the same industry. Imagine having access to confidential information that gives a business a competitive edge—formulas, processes, customer lists, and marketing strategies. These trade secrets are the lifeblood of success. But what happens when you decide to venture out on your own? Join us on this captivating episode as we dive deep into the realm of trade secrets, contracts, and the responsibilities that come with this bold move. 

Main takeaways:  1. What trade secrets are and how to protect them  2. The top three contracts to review when leaving a job to start your own business  3. The importance of legal counsel when making the transition from employee to employer 

In this captivating finale of our three-part series on safeguarding your brand online, Attorney Murray shifts our focus to the exciting opportunities that await entrepreneurs in the digital landscape. With her relatable storytelling and genuine passion, she reveals the untapped potential of running an online business. 

Drawing from her own journey as a trademark attorney based in a small city, Attorney Murray shares how the internet became a game-changer. She vividly describes how it empowered her to break free from the confines of her local area and connect with a global audience. The mere click of a button unlocked a whole new world of possibilities, allowing her to expand her reach beyond her wildest dreams.  

Listen to the final chapter of this three-part series as Attorney Murray underlines the impact this newfound market reach has on entrepreneurs who can now connect with customers worldwide, leveraging the internet's vast resources to drive growth and meet the soaring demand on an international scale. Throughout her insightful episode, she stresses the importance of implementing effective intellectual property strategies to protect and maximize these opportunities. 

Main takeaways: 

1. The Internet provides an enormous opportunity for businesses to reach a global audience and expand their market reach. 

2. Online platforms allow business owners to establish and promote their brand identity, leading to recognition and a positive reputation. 

3. Technology solutions like digital rights management offer opportunities to protect digital content and monetize products while preventing unauthorized access and distribution. 

In the digital world, we always have the challenges: digital piracy, counterfeit products, domain disputes, and copyright infringement.  In the other corner we have the solutions ready to ward off the digital evildoers to ensure your business is safe as operates in the digital world. Last week we discussed 4 challenges today we will explore 4 solutions. Let’s get into episode 125 of the Own Your Genius Podcast!

Today's episode covers: 

• How to Protect Your Intellectual Property Online
• What is Copyright Protection
• What is Trademark Protection

Welcome to episode 123 of the Own Your Genius podcast! In this Legal Tea segment, we delve into the court battle between T.I. and Tiny, centered around a lawsuit involving The OMG Girlz, a girl group managed by Tiny. We explore the claims of misappropriation of name, likeness, trade dress infringement, and unfair competition. Join us as we break down the legal aspects, such as right of publicity, trade dress infringement, and the broader concept of unfair competition. Gain insights into this intriguing case and learn how it relates to protecting your own business.  

Today's episode covers: 

• A breakdown of the OMG lawsuit 
• Understanding the right of publicity 
• The difference between trade dress and trademark 

Welcome to the latest episode of the Own Your Genius podcast! In this insightful installment, we dive into the crucial topic of maintaining limited liability for your business. Join us as we explore the concept of piercing the veil and discuss the essential steps you need to take to safeguard your personal assets and maintain your business's limited liability status. 

Attorney Murray provides valuable insights into adequately capitalizing your business, ensuring compliance with corporate formalities, separating personal and business assets, conducting business ethically, and establishing a distinct business identity. These measures are vital for protecting yourself from potential legal and financial risks. 

Whether you're a business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply interested in understanding the intricacies of limited liability, this episode offers practical advice and key considerations to help you navigate the complexities of business ownership. 

Don't miss out on this enlightening episode that empowers you to make informed decisions and fortify your business's financial security. Tune in now to learn how to maintain your limited liability and protect what matters most. #OwnYourGenius #LimitedLiability #BusinessProtection 

Today's episode covers: 

• What limited liability is 

• How to maintain limited liability 

• What does piercing the veil mean 

In this episode of the Own your Genius podcast, we delve into the world of Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) and explore why they are a popular choice for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Join us as we uncover the benefits and consequences of forming an LLC and empower you to make informed decisions about your business's structure. 

Attorney Murray brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, discussing the advantages and consequences of forming an LLC. She will share practical insights to help you navigate these aspects and understand how they may impact your business. 

Join us as we break down the formation process, step-by-step, from choosing a unique name to appointing a registered agent and filing the necessary documents. Gain a deeper understanding of the different types of LLCs available and how they can align with your business goals. 

Whether you're starting a new venture or considering a change in your business structure, this episode is packed with essential information to guide you through the journey of forming an LLC. Tune in to the Own your Genius podcast and take control of your business's success by harnessing the power of limited liability and making informed choices. 

Don't forget to leave your comments and questions, as we value your feedback and love to engage with our listeners. Stay tuned for more episodes covering a wide range of topics to help you own your genius in the business world. 
 

Today's episode covers: 

• What a limited liability company is 

• Why LLCs were created in the first place 

• The pros and cons of operating as a limited liability company 

Welcome back to part three (3) of our four-part series.  Over the last couple of weeks, we began exploring the different ways businesses operate.  So far, we have discussed sole proprietorship and partnership. Today we will discuss corporations, the first formal business formation. 

Listen and learn as Attorney Murray begins part three of our four-part series on the pros and cons of the four main business formations.  Today’s episode explores the history of corporations and how it is the foundation for other business formations. 

Today's episode covers: 

• What a corporation is 

• Why corporations were created in the first place 

• The pros and cons of operating as a corporation 

Unlock the secrets of successful business formations in our engaging four-part series.

In part two, discover the different types of partnerships, their pros and cons, and why partnerships might be the right choice for your venture. From sharing expenses and responsibilities to navigating decision-making with a partner, we explore it all. Don't miss out on expert advice and practical insights to help you make informed choices for your business. Let's demystify business partnerships together!

Today's episode covers: 

• What a partnership is 

• The different types of partnerships 

• The pros and cons of operating as a partnership 

It’s a series! What better way to kick off the month of May than by tackling one of the top five questions we get on a regular basis? Which business entity should you choose for your business?  The best entity is relative to your needs so it will vary not only from person to person but sometimes from stage to stage of your business. 

Listen and learn as Attorney Murray begins part one of our four-part series on the pros and cons of the four main business formations.  Today’s episode takes the mystery out of sole proprietorship so stay tuned. 

Today's episode covers: 

• What a business is  

• The difference between a business and a hobby 

• The pros and cons of operating as a sole proprietor  

Welcome to episode 117 of the Own Your Genius podcast. Hiring help in your business is a huge milestone for many entrepreneurs. Many business owners step their toe into the hiring pool by starting with virtual assistants under the assumption that they are independent contractors rather than employees. But what happens when the assumption is wrong? 

Listen and learn as Attorney Murray discusses the differences between an independent contractor and an employee.  Today’s episode could save you thousands of dollars in legal fees and tax fines. 

Today's episode covers: 

1. How to determine if your new hire is a contractor or employee 

2. The consequences of misclassification 

3. Why contracts can’t define the independent contractor relationship 

Welcome to episode 116 of the Own Your Genius podcast. There are many reasons a trademark application may be rejected. While some are easier to avoid, others not so much. Receiving a phantom trademark rejection for an application can be frustrating. Listen and learn as Attorney Murray discusses the phenomenon known as phantom trademarks.  Today’s episode contains never-discussed information that can help you create a strong trademark. 

Today's episode covers:

• What phantom trademarks are
• Why case law matters
• How to avoid a phantom trademark rejection

Recently there has been a lot of talk about being overwhelmed, burned out, and uninspired. In this week's podcast, Attorney Murray explores how defining success by your own terms can help decrease these feelings. You'll learn how a candid conversation with her daughter inspired her to ditch the scheduled topic to encourage entrepreneurs to stop using others as measuring sticks for their success.

Although trademark has become a buzzword in the small business community, many entrepreneurs still don't know what, when, and why, which creates uncertainty, fear, and anxiety for some.

• Do I need a trademark?
• Is it safe to introduce the brand if I don't have a trademark?
• What if someone steals my stuff?

Listen to this week's Murray's Law as Attorney LaConya Murray addresses these real concerns and clarifies the trademark process.

Just because you paid for it doesn't make it yours. 

In episode 111, we introduced the idea of copyright ownership.  In today's episode, we will discuss how business owners can retain the rights to the work they commissioned.  Listen as Attorney Murray explains the difference between commercial rights, transfer of rights, and licensing, as well as the caveats that come along with each of them.  We have a good one for you today, so let's get started.

Oh, oh, back again . 

Welcome to season 5 of the Own Your Genius podcast. If you are working with third parties to create what could be copyrighted materials, you need to understand who owns the rights to the created work.  Most business owners wrongly believe they can slap a work-for-hire clause in the contract to gain ownership, but they are wrong.  Attorney Murray discusses the two instances that create a work-for-hire in today's podcast.  She will also break down the definition of a special commission and how the court determines whether you work with an employee or an independent contractor. 

We have a good one for you today, so let's get started.

Make Money Money, Make Money Money

Today's guest speaker is Juneil Bettis. She is the financial accountant of Bettis Financial, a financial services company headquartered in Huntsville, AL. She provides clients with the tools and resources they need to maintain their personal and business finances.

Listen as she and Attorney LaConya Murray discuss money matters as they relate to entrepreneurs wondering when and how to take the next steps in their business with money logic in their corner.

Mentioned in this episode:

We may disagree about when is too soon to start blasting Christmas music there is no denying that when the time comes, Mariah Carey is on top of the playlist.  After almost 30 years on the charts, the pop diva earns 2.5 million dollars from her hit,  All I Want For Christmas. It's no wonder she's been dubbed the Queen of Christmas. 

During today's episode of the Own Your Genius podcast, we take notes from Mariah Carey's failed attempt to benefit from the Queen of Christmas moniker. Key discussion points from this episode include:

• Every trademark clearance search should include common law use
• What it takes to oppose a trademark application
• What to do if someone opposes your application

A contract is more than a piece of paper. Business contracts can protect your business and personal assets but must be executed properly to be effective. Contracts voice the terms and clauses of an agreement between two or more parties and can be the defining line of who owns what and what business rights are in motion.  Short summary: contracts are IMPORTANT.   Every person involved in a business transaction should know what they're signing, why they're signing, and what is in effect after they sign.  Listen as Attorney LaConya Murray integrates some legal tea into her explanation of what it means to execute a contract and things to consider before signing. 

Be smart with your money.  Today's guest speaker is Fola-Sade Ayegbusi. She is a Maryland Accountant, EA of the IRS, Ex-Insurance Broker, Speaker, and Small Business Growth Strategist. She helps entrepreneurs and small business owners save over $25 million dollars in lost revenue, tax assessments, penalties, and interests over the last 12 months. She aims to motivate entrepreneurs who struggle with managing their business finances and prioritizing their taxes by aiding them in creating money management processes and implementing the necessary systems to simplify their accounting, maximize taxes and increase their bottom line. 

Listen as she and Attorney LaConya Murray debunk social media myths regarding business structures, tax claims, and making the best decisions for your business. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Mental health matters.  Dr. Reba Peoples is a board-certified psychiatrist, functional medicine practitioner, and Imara Health and Wellness founder. As a psychiatrist, she knows the importance of recognizing and understanding the impact history, culture, and neuroscience have on the perspective of how we view and navigate the world. Listen as she and Attorney LaConya Murray discuss various aspects of mental health, debunk taboo beliefs, and acknowledge the underlying roots of certain mindsets that don't serve our highest purpose.  

Mentioned in this episode: 

 With all the talk going around convincing entrepreneurs to invest in a limited liability company, it only seems fair to define some common terms associated with an LLC. The internet has made limited liability companies so popular that many new business owners choose this option without exploring other options or knowing why a limited liability company may be their best choice. Proper research is necessary before deciding to heavily impact your business development. Make informed decisions and decide which business entity will best serve your business. If you are considering forming your business as a limited liability company, listen as Attorney LaConya Murray defines a few terms you should know.

Podcast are increasingly growing in popularity. According to nealschaufer.com 33% of Americans listen to podcast and 45% of podcast listeners have a household medium income of $250,000 or more. This explains why more businesses are choosing this medium to share their content. If you are starting a podcast or already have one, don't miss this month's episode of Murray's Law. Attorney Murray will give you the inside scope on what you should know about podcasting from a legal standpoint. 

3 Legal Points to Consider: 

1. Trademarks 

2. Contracts 

3. Copyrights 

Protect your business like it matters to you. Only a registered trademark can protect you from experiencing the entrepreneurial tragedy of having to rebrand due to the lack of protection for your intellectual property.  An LLC does not protect your brand. Owning the domain name does not guarantee you a win in a case of infringement. The Legal Tea of the conflict between Nostalgia Cosmetics and Nosta Beauty is a prime example of why it is so important to protect your brand using a registered trademark instead of relying on “first use, first serve” stipulations. 

Listen as Attorney LaConya Murray serves up some Legal Tea while explaining why it is important to prioritize protecting your brand. Mentioned in this episode:  

Class is in session! 

Filing your own trademark is not impossible, but when paperwork comes around, you have to know which class you are registering your mark as. What is a class? What qualifies as a good?  What qualifies as a service? You need to know! If you don't, you could end up limiting how you can use your mark and have to redo the entire trademarking process. Want to save your time? Listen to Attorney LaConya Murray explain what a trademark class is and why it is important to be aware of how you classify your trademark on the application. 

Trademarks don’t protect ideas. It's important for business owners to know how to protect their intellectual property, ideas included. Getting excited and jumping the gun on sharing valuable information can have long term consequences and cause you to miss opportunities. Steve Harvey’s Little Big Time podcast shares a prime example.

Listen as Attorney LaConya Murray explains how to protect your business ideas by using written contracts instead of believing the taboo of trademarks doing the job.

Mentioned in this episode:

How many trademarks is enough? 

You don’t have to be a big brand in order to protect your business like you mean it. Your brand matters and deserves to be protected as such. Trying to fit all of your intellectual property under a single umbrella trademark could do more damage than good. Still not convinced?

Listen as Attorney Murray share three reasons of why one trademark is not enough to protect your brand. 

Write. It. Down. 

What are you agreeing to when you sign a contract? What rights are you signing over? What services are you promising to provide? 

Should you build a brand around your name?  It’s the beginning of a new year and many are stepping into a season of innovation and entrepreneurship. Whether to build a personal brand or a separate brand is one of the most common questions buzzing around. Listen as Attorney LaConya Murray gives the inside scoop on the dangers of building a personal brand and explains the best ways to protect your legacy.  

Mentioned in this episode:

Every Path Looks Different. Jasmine Powers is the CEO of Join the Citizens, an agency providing multimedia content and strategy for companies recruiting and aiming to keep diverse talent. She is sought out for product launches, sales enablement, and demand gen for entertainment, nonprofit, education, finance, tech, and e-commerce brands. Listen as Attorney LaConya Murray talks with this Compton, CA native about her entrepreneurial journey and the importance of showing up as your most authentic self. 

Mentioned in this episode:  

Run your business like you care about it. Too often business owners are forced to rebrand due to not reading contracts and their lack of knowledge pertaining to intellectual property. Listen, you spend too much time and invest too much money in your brand to lose it over a lack of understanding or communication. Listen as Attorney Murray explains what you need to know in order to prevent you from losing your intellectual property.

 Mentioned in this episode: 

‘Should I add a cyber security clause to independent contractor agreements when hiring vendors?’

‘What kind of language should I use in my business contracts?’

The only thing constant in life is change.

Innovation is the key to your business succeeding. Here at Off The Mark, we are overcoming fear and changing our business model. We are moving from one on one services to legal subscriptions in order to better provide services related to trademarks, copyrights, and business development services. Listen as Attorney Murray discusses our business mission, the changes being made, and the services we offer.

A woman walks into a brand photoshoot. The photographer shoots her–with the camera of course. The woman later sees her images used in advertisements promoting the photographer’s services. Is there an issue? Listen as Attorney Murray discusses the rights of copyright owners and the usage of their content.