“Licensing” is a term that gets thrown around a lot but many creative entrepreneurs struggle to understand exactly what it is. Licensing is what allows you to make money on your works by selling the rights to others. When you know what you’re doing, this can be a huge benefit for you. But, when you move forward without really understanding what you’re signing and giving away, you’ll probably regret it later down the road. This episode will discuss The difference between licensor and licensee The...
Oct 28, 2019•41 min•Season 2Ep. 49
One area that many creatives struggle with is hiring help. Your business is personal to you and you are the one that has turned it into a success. But, there comes a day when you realize you just can’t really do everything on your own. You might start dropping balls or you may find that you just can’t grow any further. That’s why I’m really excited to have Chellie Peterson on the Law & Wit podcast. She’s a Virtual Assistant expert that uses the skills she developed as a successful blogger/in...
Oct 08, 2019•47 min•Season 2Ep. 48
Ready to jump into every creative entrepreneur’s favorite topic—pricing? It’s one of those sticking points that a lot of creatives and designers get hung-up on. You don’t want to charge too much and not be able to build your business. But you don’t want to undercharge and not be able to pay your bills. How are you supposed to determine the value? How do you determine how to charge your customers? And, how do you enforce it once you do know what you want to charge? Slow down and take a deep breat...
Sep 23, 2019•36 min•Season 2Ep. 47
Melanie Burk started college planning on getting a degree in accounting. That didn't last long! She eventually switched to graphic design, something she knew little about. And, even though a college professor told her she wouldn't be successful, she made her own path and has been wildly successful. Melanie dabbled in several different areas of design before finding her exact niche. But, since she did, she has worked with large brands and big products. She's not only a designer but an entrepreneu...
Jul 27, 2019•50 min•Season 2Ep. 46
Do you have a business partner or want to go into business with someone? This is your MUST-LISTEN episode to walk you through exactly what questions you must ask each other so that you can be on the same page (literally and figuratively) for your business. The episode includes 5 Tips (areas) that you're going to want to talk about -- strategy, management, ownership, intellectual property, and exit and includes ALL the questions and discussion that should go into those main decision areas. As a *...
Jul 02, 2019•59 min•Season 2Ep. 45
When Elle Rowley of Solly Baby created her first product it was out of necessity. She had one little one and another on the way. While she enjoyed wearing her oldest in a baby carrier, she was looking to find a different product to use because of the tension headaches she got using her store-bought carrier. She ended up sewing her own wrap, fell in love with the experience, and never looked back. (**sidenote...I have worn several of my babies in her wraps and they are WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!) Elle ...
Jun 06, 2019•58 min•Season 2Ep. 44
Chelsea Peterson was always planning on being a stay-at-home-mom. But, she discovered she had a love for photography when she started playing around with a camera to capture photographs of her children. This hobby has turned into a serious business with Chelsea being one of the most sought-after photographers in Utah for senior portraits. Like many creative entrepreneurs, Chelsea struggled with undervaluing her services at first. But, now her average session charge is between $2,500 and $3,000. ...
May 20, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 43
Summary In this episode of the Law & Wit podcast, host Brittany Ratelle goes a little off the path of legal topics to share an important message for all creators. While there is a time and place for copyright and trademark, there is also a place for understanding that in a sense, everything is a remix and that's OK. This message is helpful for both new creative entrepreneurs that are struggling to get started because they think all businesses have been done already, and those that have had s...
May 13, 2019•34 min•Season 2Ep. 42
You don't have to be an extrovert to thrive as an entrepreneur. However, introverts face challenges that others don't understand. Morra Aarons-Mele is a wildly successful "accidental entrepreneur" who just so happens to be an introvert. Morra is the founder of Women Online, a social impact agency, along with being an internet marketer that has worked in both the political and private sector industries. She was even the Director of Internet Marketing for the Democratic National Committee during t...
May 02, 2019•55 min•Season 2Ep. 41
This is the fourth and final episode of the Business Legal Systems series that discusses the things you need to know in getting your creative business up and running right from the get-go. If you want to make sure that all the hard work you've invested into your business is protected, this is the episode for you. Part 1- Where Do I Start? discussed how to properly set up your business. Part 2 – How to Get Your Site Legit covered how to make sure your website has everything in it that you need. A...
Apr 27, 2019•40 min•Season 2Ep. 40
As a creative entrepreneur and just a person, there are a lot of things fighting for your attention. There’s family, marketing, sales, and [fill in your own list of tasks]. It doesn’t take long to feel overwhelmed by it all. Enter Kim Christensen from Talk Wordy to Me. She’s a freelance writer, journalist, and a book-loving mama. She mixes writing and mindfulness for a really unique perspective that every entrepreneur can benefit from. Kim started journaling at the age of five, which sparked a l...
Apr 19, 2019•55 min•Season 2Ep. 39
This is the third part of the Business Legal Systems series that discusses the bedrock business and legal foundations you need to address when building your modern business. If you've had that inkling that you need to get some contracts in place or make updates to the ones that you use, this is the episode for you. Part 1- Where Do I Start? discussed how to properly setup your business and Part 2 - How to Get Your Site Legit covered how to make sure your website has everything in it that you nee...
Apr 12, 2019•40 min•Season 2Ep. 38
Get your Instagram questions answered as social media expert, Anna MacFarlane, shares a wealth of information on how to grow your following and build your community. Anna is the woman behind Anna is the Worst, Kids are the Worst, and Things are the Worst. The irony here is Anna is the absolute best! While she started her career in traditional marketing - direct mail (remember that?) - she continued to adapt with the times and has become an expert in the field of social media marketing. She now h...
Mar 23, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 37
This special Part 2 segment in a new series about Business Legal Systems -- the bedrock business and legal foundations you need to address when building your modern business. (listen to part 1 - Where do I start, Episode 34 HERE ). If you have been wondering what you need to do for a step-by-step process to get legit -- then you have FOUND it. This concise walkthrough is a DIY legal audit that tells you exactly what you check on your own website so that your site is an asset and not a liability ...
Mar 13, 2019•45 min•Season 2Ep. 36
Listen in to this truth-bomb-laden episode with content queen and serial entrepreneur Ashley Reeves of Ashley's Fresh Fix. Ashley shares her entrepreneurial origins from being a teacher to blogging about Amazon deals and gadgets to migrating to the health and food space. She has successfully launched and grown multiple businesses, offerings, and products and has tons of wisdom to share about creating relevant content, engaging with your community, and finding your incredibly important WHY. In th...
Mar 01, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 35
Are you ready to get your creative business legit but don't know WHERE to start? What needs to come first? And how you are supposed to make sense of this alphabet-soup of advice you are seeing swirling around FB groups, Google and podcasts? This special episode is the first segment in a new series about getting #legitwithbritt, getting a handle on those business legal system you cannot afford to ignore when building your modern business. In this flagship episode, you will learn: How to know if y...
Feb 19, 2019•36 min•Season 2Ep. 34
Join us for a behind-the-scenes interview with creativepreneur matriarch Gabrielle Blair, longtime blogger at Design Mom, Best-selling author and founder of the Alt Summit Conference for creatives and influencers. Gabrielle shares her 10-year story in building and reiterating Alt Summit, and the lessons she has learned along the way. In this episode you'll learn: how she got the idea for her first conference Gabby's formula for a successful (and profitable$$) live event how tech can solve common...
Feb 10, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Want some help in landing good clients? Avoiding bad ones? And keeping the ones you have happy??! Dive into this week's episode of Law and Wit: Creative Counsel for Entrepreneurs as we explore 6 Tips for Improving Client Relationships. Whether you love 'em (or want to leave 'em) -- clients are the lifeblood of a creative service business -- so let's figure out how we can spot troublesome clients (BEFORE YOU SIGN THAT CONTRACT) and how to have a good working relationship during your project. In t...
Feb 06, 2019•40 min•Season 1Ep. 32
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? What q...
Jan 19, 2019•33 min•Season 1Ep. 31
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 to yo...
Jan 13, 2019•42 min•Season 1Ep. 30
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 sisters...
Dec 21, 2018•58 min•Season 1Ep. 29
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 bette...
Dec 12, 2018•34 min•Season 1Ep. 28
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 ...
Dec 04, 2018•46 min•Season 1Ep. 27
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 right no...
Nov 18, 2018•23 min•Season 1Ep. 26
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 What Cali...
Oct 29, 2018•44 min•Season 1Ep. 25
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 brand...
Oct 12, 2018•29 min•Season 1Ep. 24
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. She g...
Oct 03, 2018•48 min•Season 1Ep. 23
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 afra...
Sep 15, 2018•50 min•Season 1Ep. 22
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 plan...
Aug 31, 2018•44 min•Season 1Ep. 21
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 and b...
Aug 17, 2018•55 min•Season 1Ep. 20
