Did you know...

There’s actually a pattern to the legal side of running a business.

Crazy, I know. It might not always feel like it, but every creative business follows predictable legal phases—and knowing which one you’re in can help you make the right moves before problems arise.

Let’s talk about Phase 2: Growth & Scaling.

You know you’re in Phase 2 when:

✅ Your legal foundation is set. You have an LLC, client contracts, and basic website policies in place.
✅ Your business is growing. More clients, bigger projects, and new opportunities are coming in.
✅ You’re hiring help. Whether it’s a VA, contractor, or collaborator, you need to make sure working relationships are clearly defined.
✅ You’re expanding what you offer. Maybe you’re launching a course, licensing your work, or adding a second revenue stream.
✅ You’re realizing growth brings legal risks. Managing contracts, protecting your intellectual property, and enforcing boundaries become more important.

At this stage, legal protections shift from “get the basics in place” to “protect the business you’re building.” The biggest risks in Phase 2 often come from working with others—whether that’s hiring support, collaborating on ideas, or expanding your services.

If you're in phase 2, start thinking about:

• Clear independent contractor agreements (so expectations, payments, and roles are in writing).
• Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) before sharing ideas, business plans, or client details.
• Legal protections for digital products, courses, and licensing opportunities.
• IP Ownership - this one's a double whammy. Not only are you protecting your name (logo, course, etc.) from being copied, you're also building additional value into your company.

If you recognize yourself in Phase 2, now is the time to get ahead of legal challenges, not just react to them.

Want to learn more about how to navigate your legal phase? Explore our free education and resources.

Happy Monday!

Your CLS Team

​