Blog
Protecting Content & Inventions
Advice for content creators from Devale and Khadeen Ellis
One of my absolute favorite platforms across social media was created by Khadeen and Devale Ellis, a black millennial married couple with three kids. They’ve developed an amazingly successful brand that continues to grow and thrive. In a recent podcast episode, they provide advice to content creators that I share here.
How to protect and register your trademarks
Trademark law is pretty convoluted these days, which makes it hard to know where to start thinking about protection and registration. Without getting too complicated, I’d like to explain the three ways you can protect your trademarks.
You can trademark almost anything
For many business owners and entrepreneurs, one of the first decisions is what to name the new business, service, or product you'll be selling. This name plays an important role in your business because it's one of the first things your customers or clients will come...
Why you need a separate business entity
Most entrepreneurs need to create a separate business entity. This will make your legit, ensure that the business continues, and protect your assets.
Choosing a name for your business
Did you know that Nike, Inc. used to be named "Blue Ribbon Sports"? Or that Google started out as "BackRub"? Imagine if we were going around today saying, "let me backrub that..." That would be weird. These iconic companies started out the same way many companies...
Registering your business: A directory
If you’re going to start a business in the United States, you may think about incorporating it. You can incorporate your business with the Secretary of State’s office (or your state’s equivalent) where you have an address and plan to do business. Peep this article for all of the Secretary of State offices and their contact information.
Why you should solve people’s problems
Nobody cares about your product. They care about how you’re going to improve their lives. We’re living in a time where people are stressed and trying to do it all, and they need help! Where do you fit in to offer what your customers and clients need?
Don’t put off protecting your work
I love creatives and creators. They are constantly pushing boundaries, developing things the world has never seen, and sharing their talents with the rest of us. Some are so committed to sharing their work with the world via social media and other platforms that they don’t stop to assess the value of their work or how to immediately monetize it. In the words of Jay Z, every creator should consider themselves a business, man, and this post outlines how to identify the value in new creations.
My #SXSW2020 and #SXSWEDU Proposals
You have the power to get my South by Southwest® (SXSW®) panel proposals approved for SXSW 2020 and SXSW EDU 2020. Please, please click on each of the links below to vote, AND be sure to share with your networks so they can do the same. Voting ends on August 23rd. Thank you!
What’s a Personal Brand?
The term “personal brand” is probably one of the most overused and under-grasped concepts floating around. This article offers a self-reflective approach to personal branding that centers the “personal brand” in adding value to the lives of others. One size doesn’t have to fit all.