Ask Jade August 2025 - Your Legal Glow UP!

The Legal Glow-Up: How to Upgrade Your Business Protections Before Q4 Hits

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Takeaways

• Is it time to trademark your brand?
• How to approach legacy and estate planning as an entrepreneur
• Nick will be speaking at Sara Jane Sparkle’s WESOS meeting on August 11th

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When to Trademark Your Brand

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1. You’ve Invested in Your Name or Logo

If you’ve put time and money into building a brand identity—such as:

• Website design
• Product packaging
• Marketing campaigns

Then your brand is worth protecting.

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2. You’re Launching New Products or Expanding Markets

National and online growth increases risk:

• National rollouts
• Online marketplaces
• Licensing deals
• Wholesale partnerships

These all increase visibility—and the chance of copycats.

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3. You’re Seeing Copycats (or Fear You Might)

• Have you spotted knockoffs?
• Are others in the space getting a little too close to your branding?

Don’t wait until you’re in court—register before problems start.

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4. You Want to Raise Capital or Attract Investors

• Investors and lenders look closely at your IP portfolio.
• Trademarks add credibility and reduce perceived risk.

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5. You’re Selling or Licensing Your Business

• A registered trademark is a transferable, quantifiable asset.
• It boosts your company’s valuation.
• It gives potential buyers or partners greater confidence.

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Legacy & Estate Planning for Entrepreneurs

You’ve heard about:

• Wills
• Trusts
• Powers of Attorney

But how do these tools protect your business, not just your personal estate?

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Entity Type Matters: LLC vs. Corporation

To ensure your business assets are included in your estate plan—and avoid probate—you’ll likely want to assign ownership to a Trust.

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For LLCs

• File an LLC Amendment that names you as Trustee of your Trust as a manager.

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For Corporations

• Issue a new share: from you to you as Trustee of your Trust.
• Include supporting corporate resolutions.

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Operating Agreements Are Critical

Make sure you have:

• A well-written Operating Agreement (for LLCs)
• Or a Shareholders Agreement (for Corporations)

These should clearly outline:

• Succession plans
• What happens in the event of an owner/member’s death or incapacity

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