If you are interested in asking Cari a question to be promoted on her YouTube channel or on her podcast, Ag Law Today, please email Cari Rincker at cari@rinckerlaw.com with Ask Cari in the subject line. Your identity will remain anonymous. Cari’s answers are for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
The Personal Guarantee: 5 Ways Small Business Owners Can Reduce Their Liability
Small businesses make a huge contribution to the U.S. economy. Nevertheless, starting a new business is risky. Lenders view loans to small businesses, particularly start-ups, as among the riskiest they make, particularly when there is little or no credit history or business revenue on which to base their decision. In an effort to lessen their risk, lenders frequently require small …
What You Need to Know about Family and Medical Leave
Federal law has required certain businesses to offer family and medical leave for decades. An increasing number of states have also enacted or considered passing laws requiring businesses to offer family and medical leave. For small businesses, these laws have distinct pros and cons. This article discusses some of the most important factors small business owners should keep in mind …
What Counts as “Hours Worked” Under the Fair Labor Standards Act?
If your small business has non-exempt employees covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), you are required to pay those employees in accordance with its minimum wage and overtime requirements for all “hours worked.” This may seem like a simple requirement, but figuring out what is considered “hours worked” may be more complicated than it seems at first glance. …
Business Insurance: Protecting Your Business from Unexpected Losses
As a small business owner, you have invested large amounts of time and money to make your business a success. Business insurance protects this investment in the event of unexpected damage to property or lawsuits, which could otherwise be devastating to your business. There are many types of insurance available depending upon the nature of your business. Worker’s compensation insurance …
Health Savings Accounts: What Are the Benefits for Businesses?
With the rising cost of health insurance, employers and employees alike are looking for the best ways to save money on medical expenses. One option that can be beneficial to both small business owners and their employees is the health savings account (HSA), which is available when an employee selects a high deductible health plan offered by the employer. What …
Ask Cari: What Is A Fiduciary Relationship And What Is A Fiduciary Duty?
If you are interested in asking Cari a question to be promoted on her YouTube channel or on her podcast, Ag Law Today, please email Cari Rincker at cari@rinckerlaw.com with Ask Cari in the subject line. Your identity will remain anonymous. Cari’s answers are for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
Cybersecurity: Protecting Your Business
Cybersecurity is a growing concern for businesses, and small businesses are not immune from the threats posed by cybercriminals. Don’t be complacent because your business is small: Almost half of all cyberattacks in the U.S. are directed at small businesses. In recognition of this serious problem, in August 2018, President Trump signed into law the NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Act, …
4 Steps to Ensure the Enforceability of E-Signatures
More and more, transactions between small businesses and their customers, vendors, and service providers occur online rather than on paper. Yet some feel uneasy about the enforceability of these electronically-signed documents. Is an electronic signature as valid as a conventional handwritten signature? Under state and federal law, e-signatures are recognized as valid and enforceable: Most states have adopted the Uniform …
Business License and Permit Requirements
If you are starting a new business, it is important not to overlook federal, state, and local business license and permit requirements. Almost every business, even one that is home-based, is required to obtain some form of license or permit in order to operate legally. Failure to do so can lead to fines, and in some cases, the closure of …
Ask Cari: How Do I Make A FOIA Request?
If you are interested in asking Cari a question to be promoted on her YouTube channel or on her podcast, Ag Law Today, please email Cari Rincker at cari@rinckerlaw.com with Ask Cari in the subject line. Your identity will remain anonymous. Cari’s answers are for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
7 Key Elements Prospective Funders Look for in a Business Plan
As the economy improves, more and more entrepreneurs are considering starting or expanding their small businesses. However, most small business owners do not have the financial resources to do this without obtaining outside funding. If you are looking for funding for your business, you will need to provide prospective funders with a well-thought-out and professional business plan, regardless of the …