Business SOS! Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them

Rich Sierra
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Are you a business owner interested in knowing what to do in any legal issue that might arise in your company and line of work? Join Florida business lawyer Rich Sierra, Author of Business SOS! to hear all about the most common legal mistakes business owners make and how to avoid them. This is not a “legal show” in the traditional sense; this is a conversation with business owners on the various legal issues they face daily and how to handle each of them. Guests are business owners from the local community and professionals who provide services to businesses, and you, as the listener, can submit questions to be answered, as well. There is no “sugar coating” or in-depth analysis of cases; the show will be informative and real. Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your shows.

  1. 4d ago

    Ep. 161 - Dragged into Florida Court — The Out-of-State Defendant’s Survival Guide

    EP. 161 If your out-of-state business is served with a Florida summons, putting your head in the sand is a financial death sentence. Thanks to Florida’s Long-Arm Statute and the rise of digital commerce, out-of-state companies are being dragged into Florida courts more than ever. In this episode, Rich Sierra delivers the ultimate survival playbook for out-of-state defendants. Discover the danger of accidental consent through filing general answers, how to properly challenge the court's power using a Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Personal Jurisdiction backed by a sworn affidavit, and how to deploy the 30-day federal removal escape hatch to bring the fight closer to home.

  2. Sep 1

    Ep. 160 - The Fatal Pitfall of "Pro Se" Corporate Defense

    Think you can save a few bucks by writing a quick, polite letter to the judge to explain your side of a business lawsuit? In Florida, trying to represent your own LLC or Corporation in a civil dispute over $8,000 is a fast track to disaster. Under state law, a business entity is legally a separate "person" and must be represented by a licensed attorney. In this episode, Rich Sierra breaks down the "Pro Se" trap, explaining how informal letters to the court are routinely stricken by judges, how DIY responses accidentally waive your best defenses, and how a capably handled lawsuit can save you tens of thousands of dollars.  How to Contact Rich Sierra:                                                                                                                                                            Email: Rich@RichSierra.com📞 Phone: 866-842-5202🌐 Website: https://www.FloridaSmallBusinessLegalCenter.com📘 Book: Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them – available on Amazon & Barnes & Noble📱 Facebook: @FSBLEGAL📺 YouTube: @RichardSierra🐦 Twitter/X: @Rich_Sierra📸 Instagram: @FSBLEGAL💼 Digital Business Card: https://poplme.co/hash/Qd9D1azj/1/s

  3. Aug 25

    Ep. 159 -Living Authentically and Leading with Courage

    EP 159. Redifining Sucess On Your Own Terms.  Special Guest: Stacey Luces. Stacey is an international best selling author and the host of the Beyond the Quo Podcast. In a two part interview Rich and Stacy discuss the themes of her popular podcast: Redefining Sucess on your own terms, Living Authentically, and Leading with Courage. You can subscribe to her podcast at https://www.staceyluces.com/podcast . ow to Contact Rich Sierra:                                                                                                                                                            Email: Rich@RichSierra.com📞 Phone: 866-842-5202🌐 Website: https://www.FloridaSmallBusinessLegalCenter.com📘 Book: Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them – available on Amazon & Barnes & Noble📱 Facebook: @FSBLEGAL📺 YouTube: @RichardSierra🐦 Twitter/X: @Rich_Sierra📸 Instagram: @FSBLEGAL💼 Digital Business Card: https://poplme.co/hash/Qd9D1azj/1/s     EP 159. Redifining Sucess On Your Own Terms.  Special Guest: Stacey Luces. Stacey is an international best selling author and the host of the Beyond the Quo Podcast. In a two part interview Rich and Stacy discuss the themes of her popular podcast: Redefining Sucess on your own terms, Living Authentically, and Leading with Courage. You can subscribe to her podcast at https://www.staceyluces.com/podcast . ow to Contact Rich Sierra:                                                                                                                                                            Email: Rich@RichSierra.com📞 Phone: 866-842-5202🌐 Website: https://www.FloridaSmallBusinessLegalCenter.com📘 Book: Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them – available on Amazon & Barnes & Noble📱 Facebook: @FSBLEGAL📺 YouTube: @RichardSierra🐦 Twitter/X: @Rich_Sierra📸 Instagram: @FSBLEGAL💼 Digital Business Card: https://poplme.co/hash/Qd9D1azj/1/s

  4. Aug 18

    Ep. 158 - Redefining Success on your own Terms. Special Guest Stacey Luces

    Stacey is an international best-selling author and the host of the Beyond the Quo Podcast. In a two-part interview Rich and Stacy discuss the themes of her popular podcast: Redefining Sucess on your own terms, Living Authentically, and Leading with Courage. You can subscribe to her podcast at https://www.staceyluces.com/podcast . ow to Contact Rich Sierra: Email: Rich@RichSierra.com📞 Phone: 866-842-5202🌐 Website: https://www.FloridaSmallBusinessLegalCenter.com📘 Book: Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them – available on Amazon & Barnes & Noble📱 Facebook: @FSBLEGAL📺 YouTube: @RichardSierra🐦 Twitter/X: @Rich_Sierra📸 Instagram: @FSBLEGAL💼 Digital Business Card: https://poplme.co/hash/Qd9D1azj/1/s

  5. Aug 11

    Ep. 157 - "The Strategic Sales Leader" with Author Derek Wellington Johnson

    The Strategic Sales Leader", "Mastering the art of vision, strategy and execution" with author Derek Wellington Johnson. Rich interviews author and company growth specialist Derek Wellington Johnson. Rich interviews Derek Wellington Johnson and discuss why it is important for business owners to have a defined sales strategy to meet their revenue goals. The book is a guide on how to create an action plan to develop an successful sales strategy and execution. ow to Contact Rich Sierra: 1. Via Email at Rich@RichSierra.com 2. https://www.floridasmallbusinesslegalcenter.com 3. FaceBook @ FSBLEGAL 4. youtube.com/@RichardSierra 5. twitter.com/Rich_Sierra 6. Instagram: FSBLEGAL  . Also, Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or ask for it at your local bookstore. You can reach Derek Wellington Johnson via email at derek@derekwjohnson.com or via Linked in.

  6. Aug 4

    Ep. 156 - Ten Common Mistakes Business Owners Make When Responding to Discovery

    You've been sued and now the other side wants your documents, your emails, and your answers under oath. Discovery is where most lawsuits are won or lost — and it's where business owners make the most costly mistakes. In this episode, Rich Sierra covers the ten most common discovery errors: missing deadlines, failing to preserve evidence, oversharing in interrogatory answers, the dreaded document dump, forgetting about text messages and social media, and more. Rich explains what spoliation is and why it can sink your case, when and how to object to overbroad requests, and why that independent contractor agreement you signed won't save you from a sloppy discovery response. If you're a business owner facing litigation, this is the episode to listen to before you respond to anything.  How to Contact Rich Sierra:                                                                                                                                                            Email: Rich@RichSierra.com📞 Phone: 866-842-5202🌐 Website: https://www.FloridaSmallBusinessLegalCenter.com📘 Book: Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them – available on Amazon & Barnes & Noble📱 Facebook: @FSBLEGAL📺 YouTube: @RichardSierra🐦 Twitter/X: @Rich_Sierra📸 Instagram: @FSBLEGAL💼 Digital Business Card: https://poplme.co/hash/Qd9D1azj/1/s

  7. Jul 28

    Ep. 155 - The 1099 Trap: When Your Contractor Is Really an Employee

    Are you paying workers as independent contractors? You might be breaking the law without knowing it. In this episode, Rich Sierra breaks down the Department of Labor's six-factor Economic Reality Test that determines whether your 1099 worker is really a W-2 employee. Learn how misclassification happens, what triggers a DOL or IRS investigation, and the back wages, penalties, and tax liability you could be facing. Rich walks through each factor in plain English with real-world examples every small business owner will recognize, and gives you a step-by-step plan to audit your contractor relationships and fix problems before the government finds them first.  How to Contact Rich Sierra:                                                                                                                                                            Email: Rich@RichSierra.com

  8. Jul 21

    Ep. 154 - Adding a New Partner: Legal Risks Business Owners Must Understand

    Bringing a new partner into your business can provide capital, expertise, and growth opportunities—but it can also introduce significant legal risks if the relationship is not properly structured.In this episode of the Business SOS! podcast, Rich Sierra explains the most common legal mistakes business owners make when adding a partner or investor. He discusses why many partnerships begin informally, how unclear expectations can lead to disputes, and why detailed operating agreements are essential.Rich also covers key issues that must be addressed before bringing in a partner, including ownership percentages, management authority, financial contributions, and profit distributions. The episode also highlights the importance of buy-sell provisions, exit strategies, and dispute resolution mechanisms that help prevent costly litigation.If you are thinking about adding a partner, investor, or co-owner to your company, this episode will help you understand how to structure the relationship properly and avoid conflicts that can destroy the business. How to Contact Rich Sierra: Email: Rich@RichSierra.com📞 Phone: 866-842-5202🌐 Website: https://www.FloridaSmallBusinessLegalCenter.com📘 Book: Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them – available on Amazon & Barnes & Noble📱 Facebook: @FSBLEGAL📺 YouTube: @RichardSierra🐦 Twitter/X: @Rich_Sierra📸 Instagram: @FSBLEGAL💼 Digital Business Card: https://poplme.co/hash/Qd9D1azj/1/s

See All (162)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Are you a business owner interested in knowing what to do in any legal issue that might arise in your company and line of work? Join Florida business lawyer Rich Sierra, Author of Business SOS! to hear all about the most common legal mistakes business owners make and how to avoid them. This is not a “legal show” in the traditional sense; this is a conversation with business owners on the various legal issues they face daily and how to handle each of them. Guests are business owners from the local community and professionals who provide services to businesses, and you, as the listener, can submit questions to be answered, as well. There is no “sugar coating” or in-depth analysis of cases; the show will be informative and real. Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your shows.

Information

You Might Also Like