06/10/2008
When I stopped for gas the other day, I visited with a self-employed home remodeler who watched as the digital numbers on his pump ticked by. It took more than $68 to fill his truck.
As he replaced the nozzle, he told me, “This is killing me. I don’t want to pass the cost on to my customers, but soon I won’t have any other choice if I want to stay in business.” Even by trying to consolidate and plan his trips more efficiently, he’s still spending more than $700 a month on fuel. That’s a huge share of his bottom line.
For the first time since he’s been in business, he’s turning down jobs outside Boone County, because the fuel costs cut too deeply into his profits. (more…)
Our center was contacted the other day by a potential client asking about hiring a small business attorney. In reality, he didn’t need an attorney, but the inquiry raised a good question. When do you need to engage the services of an attorney for your small business?
In the same way you might not call a doctor to help you get over a routine head cold, you will likely not need an attorney for day to day questions. However, if you have a serious legal problem – such as being investigated for fraud or tax evasion, being threatened by a disgruntled employee or protecting intellectual property – it’s probably best to call in some reinforcements.
If you are starting a business, chances are you can handle most legal requirements yourself. You need not pay a lawyer’s hefty hourly fee for things such as: (more…)
