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# EntrePartner Law Firm PLLC: EntrePartner offers legal services with a a singular focus in mind: How do we add value to your enterprise? If we aren't adding value, we're doing it wrong. Whether you're an entrepreneur, startup, franchise, small business, or large enterprise, we help you achieve your business goals.

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [TEXAS EXPANDS TELEMARKETING RULES TO INCLUDE TEXT MESSAGING](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/texas-expands-telemarketing-rules-to-include-text-messaging/): As of September 1, 2025, Texas has expanded its telemarketing rules to include SMS and MMS text messages.
- [FRANCHISORS: MARYLAND’S NEW FAST-TRACK PROGRAM COULD SPEED APPROVAL](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/franchisors-marylands-fast-track-program-could-speed-approval/): Starting January 1, 2026, Maryland will launch a pilot “fast-track” program for franchisors renewing existing franchise registrations. This program applies only to franchisors already registered in Maryland whose fiscal year ends between December 24 and January 7, and who have no pending investigations or enforcement actions with the Maryland Securities Division.
- [MINNESOTA PAID LEAVE STARTS JANUARY 1, 2026 – WHAT BUSINESS OWNERS NEED TO KNOW](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/minnesota-paid-leave-starts-january-1-2026-what-business-owners-need-to-know/): Beginning January 1, 2026, Minnesota’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave (MPL) law takes effect. This program gives most Minnesota employees the right to paid time off for major life events — including their own serious health condition, caring for a family member, bonding with a new child, or certain military-related needs.
- [DIY VS. LEGAL HELP – STARTING YOUR BUSINESS THE RIGHT WAY](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/diy-vs-legal-help-starting-your-business-the-right-way/): At EntrePartner, we work with businesses from big to small, and from formation to sale – and every stage in between. One of the earliest (and most important) decisions entrepreneurs face is whether to take a do-it-yourself approach or to bring in legal help from the start.
- [5 COMMON QUESTIONS WHEN STARTING A BUSINESS](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/5-common-questions-when-starting-a-business/): As entrepreneurs ourselves and with a focus on representing businesses of many sizes, we understand the roadblocks associated with actually starting your business from both a personal and legal perspective. Once the excitement of drafting your business plan is behind you, the more challenging legal and compliance questions begin to surface.
- [5 COMMON MISTAKES HOLDING FRANCHISORS BACK FROM GROWTH – GROW WITH INTENTION](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/5-common-mistakes-holding-franchisors-back-from-growth-grow-with-intention/): Growth is the goal — but it can also be the biggest risk. For emerging franchisors, the early stages of expansion are critical. These first few deals you do, and performance of those franchisees, set the tone for your brand and your franchisee relationships. Moving too fast (or too loosely) can create cracks that are hard to fix later.
- [NAVIGATING FRANCHISE PROSPECT CONVERSATIONS – ONE WRONG WORD COULD COST YOU](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/navigating-franchise-prospect-conversations-one-wrong-word-could-cost-you/): Before you dive headfirst into conversations with potential franchisees, it's crucial to understand the rules about HOW and WHEN you can disclose your franchise offering, along with what your teams can and can't say to prospects before they join the system. 
- [MAINTAINING A STRONG VENDOR NETWORK](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/maintaining-a-strong-vendor-network/): As an emerging franchisor, your vendor network is one of your most critical—and often overlooked—assets. The right vendors can help you scale smoothly and keep franchisees happy. The wrong ones can drag your system down, spark complaints, or even expose you to liability. These are some of the common legal and operational considerations that we often assist our clients in managing:
- [WHAT THE “ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT” MEANS FOR YOUR BUSINESS (IN PLAIN ENGLISH)](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/what-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-act-means-for-your-business-in-plain-english/): The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) became law on July 4, 2025, and it includes several potential tax breaks for small business owners. Here are 5 key points you should know about — in plain English.
- [COMPLIANCE 101 FOR GROWING FRANCHISORS](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/compliance-101-for-growing-franchisors/): Becoming a franchisor opens the door to grow your business with a strong, expanding network, but it also brings a new set of legal responsibilities — especially when it comes to ongoing franchise compliance. For early-stage franchisors, the rules can feel overwhelming, but they’re essential to avoid costly mistakes down the road.  These are some of the common components of a compliance process that we assist our clients in establishing:
- [FRANCHISE STARTUP COSTS – WHAT SHOULD YOU REALLY BUDGET FOR?](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/franchise-startup-costs-what-should-you-really-budget-for/): One of the initial questions potential franchisors inevitably ask us is what sort of budget is needed to establish and launch a franchise program.  Unsurprisingly, the overall cost can vary widely, depending on how mature your business is, how big (or small) your existing staff is, how quickly you want to grow, and how much of the initial work you want to take on yourself.  Other variables include whether you already have a federally registered trademark, how easily you can scale your current website, and how much legal work is needed to establish a new entity to serve as the franchisor. 
- [BUILDING BLOCKS TO LAUNCHING A FRANCHISE SYSTEM](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/building-blocks-to-launching-a-franchise-system/): So you have made the decision to franchise your business. As we previously discussed, a solid legal foundation is crucial to establishing a successful franchise system. Equally important are other building blocks that come into play at the start of the process and should be in place for a successful launch: Operations, Technology, and Franchise Sales and Development.  Once these are in place, to grow the system you will also need enthusiastic people and other resources to support franchisees, marketing efforts, and help grow the brand.  
- [LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF A FRANCHISE SYSTEM](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/legal-requirements-of-a-franchise-system/): Once you have decided to franchise your business, there are many key components to consider and build out.  Because of the strict regulatory environment of the franchise space -- both at the federal level and as part of a complex patchwork of various state laws -- it is crucial to have a solid legal foundation on which to build your franchise system.  As a quick primer on some legal aspects of franchising, here are some of the more common questions we get:  
- [IS MY BUSINESS RIGHT FOR FRANCHISING?](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/is-my-business-right-for-franchising-2/): One of the most common questions we get from business owners is whether their business is right for franchising.  Here are some of the questions we go over with our clients when we help them consider whether franchising is the right growth strategy for them:
- [WELCOME BACK MEREDITH!](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/welcome-back-meredith/): We’re beyond excited to OFFICIALLY share that Meredith Bauer has rejoined EntrePartner Law!
- [DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ISSUES IMPORTANT GUIDANCE ON FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT (FFCRA)](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/department-of-labor-issues-critical-guidance-on-families-first-coronavirus-response-act-ffcra/): With the effective date of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) looming, the Department of Labor (DOL) on Saturday, March 28, 2020, issued critical new guidance for employers struggling with how to implement the new requirements.  The guidance, “Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers,” can be found here, and includes details on counting hours for part-time workers, how to account for overtime, rates of pay, and the interaction between sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for those caring for their child whose school or place of care is closed.
- [MAKING SENSE OF THE VARIOUS STATE AND FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO SMALL BUSINESSES](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/making-sense-of-the-various-state-and-federal-covid-19-relief-programs-available-to-small-businesses/): Both state and federal governments have taken swift action to enact quick and innovative programs to aid small businesses struggling with the fallout of the COVID-19 crisis.  Understanding the options now available to small businesses -- as well as how the various new programs interact with one another and existing programs -- can become a nearly full-time job for business owners strapped for time as they juggle a myriad of responsibilities.
- [WHAT DOES THE CARES ACT MEAN FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS?](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/what-does-the-cares-act-mean-for-your-small-business/): As entrepreneurs ourselves, we understand the critical value of your time right now and that you want to understand the sections of the “CARES Act” you care about most. For most of you that section is the “Paycheck Protection Program.” *  The program is generally limited to small businesses, those with 500 or fewer employees (or, if higher, the standard number employees established by the SBA for certain industries) as well as sole proprietors and eligible self-employed individuals.
- [ENTREPARTNER OFFERS EMPLOYERS FLAT-FEE PACKAGE TO ADDRESS FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT (FFCRA)](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/entrepartner-offers-employers-flat-fee-package-to-address-families-first-coronavirus-response-act-ffcra/): The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) becomes effective on April 2, 2020 and ends December 31, 2020. The FFCRA has modified federal employment laws requiring businesses with fewer than 500 employees to provide emergency paid family and sick leave.
- [INFORMATION ON SBA LOW-INTEREST FEDERAL DISASTER LOANS](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/information-on-sba-low-interest-federal-disaster-loans/): The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering designated states and territories (including Minnesota) low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- [SUMMARY OF FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT (FFCRA)](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/summary-of-families-first-coronavirus-response-act-ffcra/): Continuing our efforts to support our entrepreneurial clients, EntrePartner Law Firm is providing a resource for those who have questions about how to handle payroll and employee leave and how new legislation, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, will affect their business.
- [A MESSAGE TO OUR CLIENTS](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/a-message-to-our-clients/): Financial Assistance
- [FRANCHISE REGISTRATION RENEWAL SEASON IS HERE!](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/franchise-registration-renewal-season-is-here/): While many people are hunkering down for the winter or gearing up to go on spring break, at EntrePartner we are gearing up for one thing:  Franchise registration renewal season!  Most franchisors are required to update their Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD) and complete renewal registrations in specific states in March/April of each year (with exact dates depending on specific circumstances as outlined below). This article is designed to provide you the tools to help you make the most of renewal season.
- [FRIENDLY YEAR-END REMINDER](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/friendly-year-end-reminder/): At EntrePartner, we're busy helping our clients prepare for year-end and set themselves up for a successful 2020!  This serves as a friendly reminder with respect to one easy part of this process.  All Minnesota entities must file an annual renewal once every calendar year with the Minnesota Secretary of State, beginning in the calendar year following the initial filing.  If you do not submit the annual report, your entity will be “statutorily dissolved” (no longer recognized as existing in Minnesota), and you'll need to pay a fee to get it reinstated.  Filing the annual report is easy (less than 10 minutes) and free as long as you file on time.
- [ENTREPARTNER STREAMLINES BUSINESS FORMATIONS WITH ITS NEW ENTRE2GO SERVICE](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/entrepartner-streamlines-business-formations-with-its-new-entre2go-service/): Starting a business can be overwhelming. It requires you to wear many hats all at the same time and juggle responsibilities that in a larger established company would be delegated to a dozen department heads.  Sometimes lost in the shuffle are the key legal decisions that come with starting a business. These decisions can be confusing, but they ultimately can be some of the most important decisions you will make.
- [HOW DO I FORM A PROFESSIONAL ENTITY IN MINNESOTA?](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/how-do-i-form-a-professional-entity-in-minnesota/): One of the primary motivators for operating a business through a separate entity is to insulate the owners of the entity from the liabilities of the business. Typically, a corporation shareholder (or a member of a limited liability or a partner of a limited liability partnership) is not personally liable for the debts of the business. In many instances, the most that a shareholder (or LLC member or LLP partner) will lose in an unsuccessful business venture is their initial capital contribution and time.
- [WHAT ARE ‘OUTSIDE IN-HOUSE COUNSEL’ SERVICES FOR FRANCHISORS?](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/what-are-outside-in-house-counsel-services-for-franchisors/): “How are you guys different from a typical law firm?”
- [WHAT DO PROSPECTIVE FRANCHISEES LOOK FOR IN THE FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT?](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/what-do-prospective-franchisees-look-for-in-the-franchise-disclosure-document/): All franchisors face one common business growth challenge:  how do I sell my franchise to quality prospective franchisees?  If you’ve forayed into the franchise industry to any extent, you know that a franchisor’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is a cornerstone of any franchise sales program, and – for better or for worse – every prospective franchisee will eventually receive this document and information regarding their prospective franchisor.  Some industry professionals may brush off the document as being ‘too legal’ or not helpful in doing true due diligence about a franchise system – however, we advise our clients that there are nuggets of information that can really shed some light about a franchised brand.  Whether you’re a prospective franchisee going through the due diligence process, or a franchisor that needs to be prepared to answer questions regarding its disclosures, it is important to note these items in order to dig deeper into the presentation of a franchised network.
- [CAN I APPLY FOR A FEDERAL TRADEMARK REGISTRATION BEFORE I’M USING THE MARK?](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/can-i-apply-for-a-federal-trademark-registration-before-im-using-the-mark/): When we are preparing a federal trademark application, one of the most important things we need to know is whether you are – at the time of the application – actively using the trademark in the marketplace.  If you are, we will file a use-based trademark application, also known as a section 1(a) application (corresponding to the section of the law that authorizes this type of application).  But in many cases, an entrepreneur wishes to register a mark before he or she has introduced the product or service that the mark represents. As explained below, it is possible to apply to register a mark that is not yet being used.  This type of application is known as an intent-to-use (“ITU”) application or a section 1(b) application.
- [IS MY BUSINESS RIGHT FOR FRANCHISING?](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/is-my-business-right-for-franchising/): One of the most common questions we get from business owners is whether their business is right for franchising.  On its face, franchising can seem like an excellent way to expand utilizing the capital and talents of qualified third parties.  And for those that do it right, it is!  That said, entering into franchise relationships takes a considerable investment in time, talent, and money, and we initially have many conversations with our clients about whether they are willing to invest accordingly.
- [SHOULD I TRADEMARK MY BUSINESS NAME, LOGO, OR BOTH?](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/should-i-trademark-my-business-name-logo-or-both/): Whether you have a new or established business, trademarks can be an essential part of protecting what often becomes a company’s most important asset:  Its brand and goodwill.  At the startup stage, entrepreneurs often are looking for guidance on how to get the most protection without having to file multiple trademark registration applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.  So, we are often asked whether a business should register its name, logo, or both.
- [DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY TO FORM A COMPANY IN MINNESOTA?](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/do-i-need-an-attorney-to-form-a-company/): One of the most common questions that we get from our clients, contacts, family, and friends, is whether they should engage an attorney to help them start their company. There are some firms that tell their clients, no matter what, that they should engage an attorney to form their limited liability company or their corporation, and often at a high price.
- [IS A FEDERALLY REGISTERED TRADEMARK WORTH IT?](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/is-federally-registered-trademark-worth-it/): New business owners often spend a great deal of time finding the perfect name for their business, not to mention making a monetary investment in a good design for their brand.  Entrepreneurs often have a vague sense that a registered trademark can be important, but are not always familiar with the underlying reasons.
- [THE (NEARLY) COMPLETE GUIDE TO BUYING A BUSINESS & A FULL-TIME JOB](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/the-complete-guide-to-buying-a-business-a-full-time-job/): Scenario: You’re one of a handful of employees at a small bakery, Maddy’s CakeBake, LLC, where you’ve worked closely with the owner Maddy for a couple years.
- [WELCOME](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/welcome/): Welcome to the Blog section of the EntrePartner Law Firm website! You’ve probably already seen the awesomeness that is our homepage, but in case you need an(other) introduction:

## Pages
- [Outside General Counsel](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/outside-general-counsel/): As your business grows, your legal needs evolve. We update priorities as new contracts, employees, locations, financing activity, franchise issues, licensing opportunities, or operational risks arise. For some clients, we act as outside general counsel. For others, we supplement or help replace the need for an in-house paralegal, contract manager, legal operations employee, or other dedicated legal hire.
- [Franchise Agreement Negotiation Attorney](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/franchise-agreement-negotiation/): A franchise agreement is a long-term contract governing one of the largest investments you'll ever make. It was drafted by the franchisor's attorneys to protect the franchisor. It will govern your rights, your obligations, your territory, and your exit for the next 10 to 20 years.
- [FDD Review Attorney](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/fdd-review/): Buying a franchise is a major investment. Knowing what you're signing before you commit is critical.
- [Startup Attorney](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/startup-attorney/): Building something new is hard enough. Your legal should not slow you down.
- [Business Formation Attorney](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/business-formation-attorney/): EntrePartner works with founders and entrepreneurs to get business formation right from the start, including entity selection, ownership agreements, and the foundational documents that govern how your business operates when things get complicated.
- [ Trademark Attorney](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/trademark-attorney/): A trademark is how customers recognize your brand and how the law helps protect it. Without federal registration, your rights may be limited, harder to enforce, and more dependent on where and how you have actually used the mark. With it, you have a legal foundation to defend your market position, license your brand, and scale with confidence.
- [Franchisor Lawyer](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/franchisor-lawyer/): Your concept is proven. Now you need a legal partner who knows how to scale it.
- [Review Request](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/review-request/)
- [franchise legal services Landing Page](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/franchise-legal-services/)
- [Grow Your Franchise Business](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/grow-your-franchise-business/): Becoming a franchisor opens the door to grow your business with a strong, expanding network, but it also brings a new set of legal responsibilities-especially when it comes to ongoing franchise compliance. For early-stage franchisors, the rules can feel overwhelming, but they're essential to avoid costly mistakes down the road.  These are some of the common components of a compliance process that we assist our clients in establishing:
- [Franchising](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/franchising/): We believe this is one of the biggest threshold questions that needs to be answered.  Take a moment to consider a typical franchise relationship.  A franchisee is considering getting into business, but doesn’t necessarily have the know-how to do it on their own. The franchisor teaches the franchisee everything they know about the business up front, and the franchisee thereafter pays a royalty throughout the entire term of their relationship in exchange for operating as part of the franchise system. 
- [Sitemap](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/sitemap/): Site Map Posts5 COMMON MISTAKES HOLDING FRANCHISORS BACK FROM GROWTH - GROW WITH INTENTION5 COMMON QUESTIONS WHEN STARTING A BUSINESSA MESSAGE TO OUR CLIENTSBUILDING BLOCKS TO LAUNCHING A FRANCHISE SYSTEMCAN I APPLY FOR A FEDERAL TRADEMARK REGISTRATION BEFORE I’M USING THE MARK?COMPLIANCE 101 FOR GROWING FRANCHISORSDEPARTMENT OF LABOR ISSUES IMPORTANT GUIDANCE ON FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT (FFCRA)DIY VS. LEGAL HELP – STARTING YOUR BUSINESS THE RIGHT WAYDO I NEED AN ATTORNEY TO FORM A COMPANY IN MINNESOTA?ENTREPARTNER OFFERS EMPLOYERS FLAT-FEE PACKAGE TO ADDRESS FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT (FFCRA)ENTREPARTNER STREAMLINES BUSINESS FORMATIONS WITH ITS NEW ENTRE2GO SERVICEFRANCHISE REGISTRATION RENEWAL SEASON IS HERE!FRANCHISE STARTUP COSTS - WHAT SHOULD YOU REALLY BUDGET FOR?FRANCHISORS: MARYLAND'S NEW FAST-TRACK PROGRAM COULD SPEED APPROVALFRIENDLY YEAR-END REMINDERHOW DO I FORM A PROFESSIONAL ENTITY IN MINNESOTA?INFORMATION ON SBA LOW-INTEREST FEDERAL DISASTER LOANSIS A FEDERALLY REGISTERED TRADEMARK WORTH IT?IS MY BUSINESS RIGHT FOR FRANCHISING?IS MY BUSINESS RIGHT FOR FRANCHISING?LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF A FRANCHISE SYSTEMMAINTAINING A STRONG VENDOR NETWORKMAKING SENSE OF THE VARIOUS STATE AND FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO SMALL BUSINESSESMINNESOTA PAID LEAVE STARTS JANUARY 1, 2026 - WHAT BUSINESS OWNERS NEED TO KNOWNAVIGATING FRANCHISE PROSPECT CONVERSATIONS - ONE WRONG WORD COULD COST YOUSHOULD I TRADEMARK MY BUSINESS NAME, LOGO, OR BOTH?SUMMARY OF FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT (FFCRA)TEXAS EXPANDS TELEMARKETING RULES TO INCLUDE TEXT MESSAGINGTHE (NEARLY) COMPLETE GUIDE TO BUYING A BUSINESS & A FULL-TIME JOBWELCOMEWELCOME BACK MEREDITH!WHAT ARE ‘OUTSIDE IN-HOUSE COUNSEL’ SERVICES FOR FRANCHISORS?WHAT DO PROSPECTIVE FRANCHISEES LOOK FOR IN THE FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT?WHAT DOES THE CARES ACT MEAN FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS?WHAT THE "ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT" MEANS FOR YOUR BUSINESS (IN PLAIN ENGLISH)PagesAbout Our FirmBusiness Formation AttorneyContactFDD Review AttorneyFranchise Agreement Negotiation Attorneyfranchise legal services Landing PageFranchisingFranchisor LawyerGrow Your Franchise BusinessHomeMeet The TeamOutside General CounselPrivacy PolicyResourcesReview RequestServicesSitemapStartup AttorneyTerms and Conditions Trademark AttorneyAuthorsAdam HenningBraden PoppEP TeamEP Team
- [Terms and Conditions](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/terms-and-conditions/): Effective Date: 4/21/2026 Website: https://entrepartnerlaw.com/
- [Privacy Policy](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/privacy-policy/): An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here. After approval of your comment, your profile picture is visible to the public in the context of your comment.
- [Contact](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/contact/): 635 SE 9th Street Suite #235Minneapolis, MN 55414
- [Resources](https://entrepartnerlaw.com/resources/): DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ISSUES IMPORTANT GUIDANCE ON FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT (FFCRA) By EP Team | March 30, 2020 With the effective date of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) looming, the Department of Labor (DOL) on Saturday, March 28, 2020, issued critical new guidance for employers struggling with how to implement the new requirements.  The guidance, "Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers," can be found here, and includes details on counting hours for part-time workers, how to account for overtime, rates of pay, and the interaction between sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for those caring for their child whose school or place of care is closed. It is important to note that FAQs may ... Read More → MAKING SENSE OF THE VARIOUS STATE AND FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO SMALL BUSINESSES By EP Team | March 28, 2020 Both state and federal governments have taken swift action to enact quick and innovative programs to aid small businesses struggling with the fallout of the COVID-19 crisis.  Understanding the options now available to small businesses -- as well as how the various new programs interact with one another and existing programs -- can become a nearly full-time job for business owners strapped for time as they juggle a myriad of responsibilities. EntrePartner has created a comprehensive summary of Minnesota and federal loan programs, which include provisions for loan forgiveness. This post offers general information only.  It is not intended to provide, and does ... Read More → WHAT DOES THE CARES ACT MEAN FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS? By EP Team | March 26, 2020 As entrepreneurs ourselves, we understand the critical value of your time right now and that you want to understand the sections of the "CARES Act" you care about most. For most of you that section is the "Paycheck Protection Program." *  The program is generally limited to small businesses, those with 500 or fewer employees (or, if higher, the standard number employees established by the SBA for certain industries) as well as sole proprietors and eligible self-employed individuals. It creates a very simple formula to determine the maximum amount of the loan:  the lesser of $10 million  or 2.5 times ... Read More → ENTREPARTNER OFFERS EMPLOYERS FLAT-FEE PACKAGE TO ADDRESS FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT (FFCRA) By EP Team | March 24, 2020 The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) becomes effective on April 2, 2020 and ends December 31, 2020. The FFCRA has modified federal employment laws requiring businesses with fewer than 500 employees to provide emergency paid family and sick leave. Continuing our efforts to support our employer clients, EntrePartner Law Firm is offering an employment policies flat-fee package that includes practical, example-based FAQs, two phone consultations, and recommendations specific to your situation. Additionally, in light of the challenges currently faced by so many employers, we are offering discounted fees for any additional work that is requested beyond the scope of this ... Read More → INFORMATION ON SBA LOW-INTEREST FEDERAL DISASTER LOANS By EP Team | March 23, 2020 The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering designated states and territories (including Minnesota) low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Highlights of the loan program: - SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDLs) funds come directly from the U.S. Treasury. - Applicants do not go through a bank to apply. Instead apply directly to SBA's Disaster Assistance Program at: DisasterLoan.sba.gov - There is no cost to apply. - There is no obligation to take the loan if offered. - The maximum unsecured loan amount is $25,000. ... Read More → SUMMARY OF FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT (FFCRA) By EP Team | March 20, 2020 Continuing our efforts to support our entrepreneurial clients, EntrePartner Law Firm is providing a resource for those who have questions about how to handle payroll and employee leave and how new legislation, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, will affect their business. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) becomes effective on April 2, 2020 and ends December 31, 2020. The FFCRA has modified federal employment laws requiring businesses with fewer than 500 employees to provide emergency paid family and sick leave. Quick Summary of Employer's Obligations Until April 2, employers will pay hourly employees for hours worked (if any) and ... Read More → A MESSAGE TO OUR CLIENTS By EP Team | March 19, 2020 To Our EntrePartner Community: There is no easy way to start this post, and no easy way to address the current state of affairs and the effects it is having on you, your families and your businesses.  We have been inundated with questions from our clients on resources and questions that apply to their businesses, and we will be working to provide real-time updates to our clients over the coming weeks via our email and social media channels.  If you are not already subscribed and wish to follow along, you can visit our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages. Our thoughts ... Read More → FRANCHISE REGISTRATION RENEWAL SEASON IS HERE! By EP Team | January 13, 2020 While many people are hunkering down for the winter or gearing up to go on spring break, at EntrePartner we are gearing up for one thing:  Franchise registration renewal season!  Most franchisors are required to update their Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD) and complete renewal registrations in specific states in March/April of each year (with exact dates depending on specific circumstances as outlined below). This article is designed to provide you the tools to help you make the most of renewal season. 1.   Contact your Auditor ASAP The renewal process requires that the franchisor entity's updated audited financial statements be included in the ... Read More → FRIENDLY YEAR-END REMINDER By EP Team | December 23, 2019 At EntrePartner, we're busy helping our clients prepare for year-end and set themselves up for a successful 2020!  This serves as a friendly reminder with respect to one easy part of this process.  All Minnesota entities must file an annual renewal once every calendar year with the Minnesota Secretary of State, beginning in the calendar year following the initial filing.  If you do not submit the annual report, your entity will be "statutorily dissolved" (no longer recognized as existing in Minnesota), and you'll need to pay a fee to get it reinstated.  Filing the annual report is easy (less than 10 ... Read More → ENTREPARTNER STREAMLINES BUSINESS FORMATIONS WITH ITS NEW ENTRE2GO SERVICE By EP Team | September 11, 2019 Starting a business can be overwhelming. It requires you to wear many hats all at the same time and juggle responsibilities that in a larger established company would be delegated to a dozen department heads.  Sometimes lost in the shuffle are the key legal decisions that come with starting a business. These decisions can be confusing, but they ultimately can be some of the most important decisions you will make. To help bridge that gap, EntrePartner has launched its Entre2Go website. Entre2Go's focus is helping entrepreneurs and business owners easily navigate the process of starting a Minnesota limited liability company ... Read More →
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