In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, host Katie Brinkley speaks with Jeff Holman, founder of Intellectual Strategies and a seasoned attorney who helps startups and growing businesses navigate the tricky legal terrain of entrepreneurship. They dive into the most common legal mistakes founders make, such as skipping trademark registration, not having the right agreements in place, and relying too heavily on AI-generated contracts.

Jeff explains why legal protection isn't just for "later" and how foundational documents like founder agreements and offer letters can save entrepreneurs time, money, and stress down the road. From trademark myths to fractional legal teams, this episode is packed with actionable insights for small business owners ready to scale smart and safe.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why skipping trademark registration could cost you big later
• The difference between branding assets and trademark-worthy materials
• When and why to use founder agreements or offer letters
• Why AI-generated legal documents can hurt more than help
• How to plan your legal strategy based on where your business is headed

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro

03:15 – Why trademarks matter more than you think

08:40 – Avoiding partnership disasters

14:00 – The AI trap: what not to DIY legally

20:00 – How to structure legal support as you grow

28:15 – What questions to ask during your first legal consult

34:00 – Closing thoughts and next steps

Ready to stop guessing and start protecting your business the right way?

Hit play on this episode and walk away with actionable legal strategies that every founder, coach, or creator must know. Don’t wait until it’s too late—your brand deserves to be protected from the start.

Subscribe to Rocky Mountain Marketing for more expert-backed tips on growing your business with confidence.

And if you found this episode valuable, share it with another entrepreneur who needs to hear this today.

Your business is worth protecting—start now.

Visit Jeff Holman online:

Website: https://www.intellectualstrategies.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holman/

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab

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