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

Hosted by Rich Sierra

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Episodes

150

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

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.

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60 recent

June 16, 202630 min

Ep. 150 - Demand Letters That Actually Work

Somebody owes you money. You've called. You've emailed. You've been patient. Nothing's happening. The demand letter is the step between asking nicely and filing a lawsuit — and for most business disputes, it's the most important move you'll make. But not all demand letters are created equal. Some get checks in the mail within a week. Others get laughed at, ignored, or used against you in court. In this episode, Rich Sierra breaks down the five things that make the difference: getting to the point so you're taken seriously, presenting facts instead of frustration, making a specific demand with a hard deadline, stating consequences without crossing into threats, and following through when the deadline passes. Whether you're writing the letter yourself or hiring an attorney, these are the principles that get results. 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 

June 9, 202637 min

Ep. 149 - You Got Served! What to do in the First 48 Hours

That knock on the door. That envelope from the process server. Getting sued is one of the most stressful things a business owner can face — and the decisions you make in the first 48 hours can determine how the entire case plays out. In this episode, Rich Sierra walks you through the five steps every business owner needs to take immediately: don't panic but don't ignore it, read and understand the papers, get an attorney involved before your deadline runs, notify your insurance carrier before you lose coverage, and preserve every document, email, and text message before you destroy evidence you didn't know you needed. The time to learn this is before it happens — not after. 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 

June 2, 202637 min

Ep. 148 - The Real Cost of Bad Business Partners

A bad business partner can cost you far more than money. In this episode, Rich Sierra discusses the financial, operational, and emotional damage caused by the wrong partnership relationships. From unequal workloads and deadlocks to financial misconduct and litigation, this episode explains how business owners can protect themselves before partnership problems become business disasters. Key Topics CoveredEarly warning signs of bad business partnershipsFinancial problems caused by difficult partnersDeadlocks and operational paralysisCommon partnership disputes and lawsuitsBreach of fiduciary duty and misuse of company fundsWhy operating agreements are criticalHow to structure partnerships properly from the beginning 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 

May 26, 202635 min

Ep. 147 - How Businesses Accidentally Create Lawsuits

Most business lawsuits are avoidable. In this episode, Rich Sierra discusses the everyday mistakes business owners make that unintentionally create legal disputes. From vague contracts and careless emails to poor documentation and ignoring problems too long, this episode focuses on the practical steps businesses can take to reduce risk and avoid expensive litigation. Key Topics CoveredHow vague contracts create legal disputesThe dangers of bad emails, texts, and social media postsWhy poor documentation hurts businesses in courtCommon communication mistakes that lead to lawsuitsHow small business problems become major litigationEmployee and partner mistakes that create liabilityWhy early legal guidance matters 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

May 19, 202627 min

Ep. 146 - I Won My Case! What Next?

Winning your case is a major victory—but it’s only half the battle. In this episode, Rich Sierra explains what happens after you win in court and how to actually turn a judgment into money. From enforcement tools to settlement strategies and dealing with appeals or bankruptcy, this episode gives business owners a practical roadmap to protect and maximize their win. Key Topics Covered:What you actually won (and why it matters)The difference between a judgment and getting paidPost-judgment strategy and mindsetDemand letters and voluntary payment optionsSettlement after judgmentPost-judgment discovery toolsEnforcement methods (garnishment, liens, levies)Dealing with appeals and supersedeas bondsWhat happens if the other side files bankruptcyCost-benefit analysis in collection efforts 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

May 12, 202628 min

Ep. 145 - I Lost My Case… What Next?

Losing a case can feel like the end—but it’s not. In this episode, Rich Sierra walks through exactly what to do after a loss in litigation. From immediate deadlines to strategic decisions like appeals, settlement, and even bankruptcy, this episode gives business owners a clear roadmap for what comes next. If you’ve ever faced a setback in court, this is the guidance you need to move forward intelligently and protect your business. Key Topics Covered:Immediate steps after losing a caseUnderstanding why you lost (legal vs. factual vs. procedural issues)How appeals actually work—and when they make sensePost-trial motions and realistic expectationsSettlement opportunities after a lossBankruptcy as a strategic optionAsset protection and judgment planningMaking smart business decisions after litigation. 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

May 5, 202631 min

Ep. 144 - Five Things That Can Go Wrong With a Handshake Deal

Episode 144 The handshake deal. The verbal agreement. The "we've known each other for years" arrangement. Rich Sierra has seen more businesses destroyed by deals with no contract than by almost anything else he handles as a litigator — and not just between strangers. In this episode, he breaks down the five biggest risks of doing business on a handshake: you can't prove the terms, scope creep takes over, relationships change and goodwill disappears, you lose legal rights you didn't know you had, and there's no mechanism to resolve disputes when things go sideways. Plus, why a simple written agreement is one of the cheapest and most valuable investments a business owner can make. 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

April 28, 202631 min

Ep. 143 - Five Red Flags in a Business Contract You Should Never Sign

Contracts aren't just paperwork — they're legal weapons. In this episode, Rich Sierra walks you through the five most dangerous provisions hiding in business contracts that are designed to favor the other side. You'll learn how to spot unlimited indemnification clauses, automatic renewal traps, one-sided dispute resolution provisions, unilateral modification rights, and overbroad non-compete and exclusivity clauses — and exactly what to do when you find them. If you've signed a contract in the last twelve months, chances are at least one of these red flags was in it. 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

April 21, 202634 min

Ep. 142 - Joint PreTrial Stipulation: Can make or break your case

For Episode 142 of the Business SOS! Podcast, Rich does a "deep dive" into the importance of Joint Pre-Trial Stipulation and how it can make or break your case. 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

April 14, 202633 min

Ep. 141 - Guests: Renata and Milton Lewinsky, Owners of myfirstyearspreschool.com (Part 2)

For Episode 141, Rich Sierra and co-host Sharon Sierra interview Renata and Milton Lewinsky, owners of MyFirstYearsPreschool.com located in Plantation, Florida. We discuss their business journey as they sold a successful franchise business and decided to pursue their passion of opening a pre-school. They talk about how they researched and learned about the business for several years before purchasing the preschool. Their core values about hiring staff and what makes their partnership work. How to Contact Rich SierraIf you have questions about your business, contracts, or litigation, you can reach me at Rich@RichSierra.com or by phone at 866-842-5202.To learn more about the legal services we offer, visit:https://www.FloridaSmallBusinessLegalCenter.comYou can also follow us on:Facebook: @FSBLEGALYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RichardSierraTwitter/X: @Rich_SierraInstagram: @FSBLEGALAnd don’t forget, my book Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or ask for it at your local bookstore.