Studio Brief - Ed. 8
While we’ve been productive since we last wrote, I had set a goal to send a Brief every 2 months…that hasn’t happened. After a few months of “snoozing” the notifications I began feeling some shame. But how silly is that? I put these expectations on myself and I created the shame I was stewing in.
So, as I prepare to welcome my first child into the world I have been thinking a lot about expectations. Expectations of myself, of others, and others’ expectations of me. And you know what? I don’t like the word “expectation”. It’s inflexible and demanding. Let’s use a synonym: hope. I hope to send more briefs out. I hope my daughter lives a joyful life. And I hope that we all don’t let expectations (with their rigid goal posts) overwhelm our spirits.
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Each brief is a collection of reflections, insightful articles, and news. Our goal is simple: peace of mind for your pursuit. And since success leaves clues, the ones I’ve found I'll pass along here. Subscribe
Quick Hits
BOI Reports | RMLS Blog (3 min read) Do you own an LLC, Partnership, or Corporation registered in a US state? Then you need to file a BOI Report with FinCEN by January 1, 2025. This new law is meant to curb money laundering and protect against opaque ownership structures. Fill out this form and we can help.
10 CA Employment laws for 2025 | HR Dive (7 min read) CA is making some changes in 2025 for employees. Notably, CA law now requires freelancers to have a written contract if they will be receiving at least $250 from an employer.
Electronic Signature Laws and History | Docusign (3 min read) There are 4 major requirements for an electronic signature to be recognized as valid under US Law. They are: (1) intent to sign; (2) consent to do business electronically; (3) association of signature with the record; and (4) record retention. These are based on the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act signed into law June 30, 2000. In short, use a company like Docusign, Pandadoc, or Adobe for e-signatures.
The Mystery of Contracting By Hyperlink | Law360 (7 min read) Contracting through the internet has been an aspirational goal of businesses for decades but now it is a reality. Electronic links (“hyperlinks”) contained in documents and web pages are being used to bind people to terms and expand contracts. Take heed to make sure you’re not blindly accepting terms on websites or in emails.
“Be Water, My Friend” | Postanly Weekly (5 min read) Bruce Lee uttered this famous line in a 1971 interview with Pierre Beron. It’s been used countless times since, but at its core Lee is asking us to be adaptable and formless.
Autonomous 18-Wheelers | Arstechnica (12 min read) “AI is going to change the world” they said. Yeah, but when? Well, looks like autonomous 18-wheelers may start moving American goods within the next year.
The Art of Datsuzoku | Guidable (4 min read) A Japanese concept that is often translated as “deviating from routine”, is a fundamental part of Japanese culture. The idea encourages people to occasionally step out of our daily routine to engage in new and different experiences. AKA, shake things up every once in while folks!
Own Your Calendar
Having a good calendar and consistent filing habits is the most important thing to maintain your business and legal “hygiene”. Get yourself organized with our essential dates for businesses and subscribe to our live public business calendar.
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Important Upcoming Dates
December 25 - Christmas
December 25 - January 2 - Hanukkah
January 1 - Deadline to file BOI Report with FinCEN.
January 15 - Estimated taxes due
January 31 - 1099s due to IRS for contractors
Client News
Oceanic Global recently debuted a new website and is taking submissions for its Short Film Festival. I’ve been on the Board of Directors for over a year now and could not be more impressed with this organization. Since 2016 they have cleaned 125 worldwide beaches, equipped 18 global rivers with waste interception barriers, led 5 high-yield wetland restoration projects, and verified 400+ businesses in sustainable practices across 57 countries with their cross-industry Blue Standard. So, in this season of giving I hope you consider donating to support our blue planet.
Lavender Men, written by Roger Q. Mason and Lovell Holder and directed by Holder, has been making the rounds at film festivals. It recently showed at the Micheaux Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA and Roger Q. Mason, who also plays the lead Taffeta, won the award for Best Actor at the festival. Here is their acceptance speech. The film also won the award for best Narrative Feature at the Charlotte Film Festival.
New Brew, the first non-alcoholic beverage with effects you can feel, has released two new flavors: Guava and Yuzu. The euphoric seltzer has been taking California, Texas, and Florida by storm. It’s main ingredients kratom and kava are native to Southeast Asia and the South Pacific islands and have been used for centuries to provide balanced energy, increase productivity, and uplift mood.
BookCase
From the author of the phenomenal #1 New York Times bestseller Tuesdays with Morrie, this novel explores the unexpected connections of our lives, and the idea that heaven is more than a place; it's an answer.
Eddie is a wounded war veteran, an old man who has lived, in his mind, an uninspired life. His job is fixing rides at a seaside amusement park. On his 83rd birthday, a tragic accident kills him as he tries to save a little girl from a falling cart. He awakes in the afterlife, where he learns that heaven is not a destination. It's a place where your life is explained to you by five people, some of whom you knew, others who may have been strangers. One by one, from childhood to soldier to old age, Eddie's five people revisit their connections to him on earth, illuminating the mysteries of his "meaningless" life, and revealing the haunting secret behind the eternal question: "Why was I here?"
About the Studio
Our mission is to provide peace of mind and creative strategies for clients’ pursuits. We believe empowering clients and demystifying the world of the suits is the best way to do that.
Wherever you are in your journey, our eBook The Venture Map will help you with the legal steps of running a business.
Looking for more help? Visit the Studio for resources and click here to schedule a call. You can also read this brief online.