Your Contract Is the Reason You Get Paid — or the Reason You Don't
If you've ever finished a project and chased a payment, delivered work that got used without credit, or lost a client who disappeared mid-scope, you already know what a weak contract costs you. I draft and review business contracts for solopreneurs and service-based business owners who are done leaving money and protection on the table.
Buying a trademark package should not feel like dropping money into a void. Here is exactly what happens the moment your purchase is complete.
Complete Your Intake Form
Immediately after checkout, you'll receive a link to your client intake form through my CRM. This is where you provide the details I need to begin your trademark search — your brand name, logo files if applicable, and the goods or services your brand covers.
Office located at 806 Green Valley Road, Suite 200, Greensboro, NC 27408 (appointments only)
Complete Your Intake Form
Immediately after checkout, you'll receive a link to your client intake form through my CRM. This is where you provide the details I need to begin your trademark search — your brand name, logo files if applicable, and the goods or services your brand covers.
If approved, your trademark is published for opposition. Barring any third-party challenges, your registration certificate is issued and your brand is federally protected.
Publication and Registration
What Contracts Does a Small Business Owner Actually Need?
Most solopreneurs start with whatever template came with their CRM or invoicing platform. Those templates are written to be broadly applicable — they are not written for your business model, your state's laws, or the specific terms of your client relationships. A template protects the company that wrote it. A properly drafted contract protects you.
These are the core agreements I draft and review for entrepreneurs and service-based businesses:
Client Service Agreements
This is the foundation of every client relationship. A strong service agreement defines the scope of work, payment terms, revision limits, cancellation policy, and what happens if a client goes silent mid-project. Without one, you are negotiating after the fact — and the client knows it.
Independent Contractor Agreements
If you hire subcontractors, VAs, or freelancers to support your business, you need a written agreement that establishes who owns the work product, what the confidentiality expectations are, and how the relationship can end. Handshake deals and informal arrangements create liability you cannot afford.
Collaboration and Partnership Agreements
Co-creating with another business owner — a joint offer, a co-hosted event, a shared project — is exciting until the money conversation gets complicated. A collaboration agreement sets revenue splits, decision-making authority, and exit terms before either party has anything to lose.
NDAs and Vendor Agreements
If you share proprietary processes, pricing, or client information with contractors, vendors, or potential partners, a non-disclosure agreement is not optional — it is the only thing that makes that information legally protected. Vendor agreements ensure the people and companies you rely on are held to clear, enforceable terms.
The Problem With Templates You Found Online
Platforms like Hello Bonsai, Dubsado, and Honeybook offer contract templates as part of their subscription. Those templates are a starting point — they are not a substitute for legal review or drafting. They do not account for your state's specific laws, your industry's risk profile, or the nuances of how you actually work with clients.
When a payment dispute or scope disagreement ends up in front of a judge, the question is not whether you had a contract. The question is whether the contract you had was enforceable and specific enough to hold. A generic template often is not. An attorney-drafted agreement is built to be.
Common Questions About Business Contract Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a contract attorney if I'm a solo service provider?
Yes — especially if you are a solo service provider. When you are the entire business, a payment dispute, a scope disagreement, or an IP claim hits you directly. A properly drafted client agreement is the document that determines whether you get paid and whether your work stays yours.What's the difference between contract drafting and contract review?
Contract drafting means I write the agreement from scratch, tailored to your business and the specific relationship it governs. Contract review means I read a contract someone else has given you — a client, a vendor, a partner — and advise you on what it says, what it risks, and what to negotiate before you sign.Can't I just use a free contract template online?
You can, but a free template is written to apply to as many situations as possible — which means it is rarely written for yours. If your business, your state, or your client relationship has any specifics that matter, a generic template may not hold up when you need it to. Custom contracts are not a luxury; they are how you make sure the agreement you signed actually protects you.What if a client refuses to sign a contract?
That is important information. Clients who are serious about working with you and paying you fairly do not hesitate to sign a basic service agreement. A client who pushes back on standard payment terms, cancellation policies, or IP ownership clauses is telling you something about how they plan to treat those terms once the work begins.How long does it take to get a contract drafted?
Turnaround time depends on the complexity of the agreement, but most standard service agreements and NDAs are completed within a few business days of our intake conversation. I'll give you a clear timeline when we connect so you know exactly what to expect.
Your Business Has an LLC and a Trademark — Your Contracts Should Match
If you've already formed your LLC or registered your trademark, you've done the work of building a real business. Contracts are what make that structure function day to day. An LLC limits your personal liability, but only if your business is operating through proper agreements. A trademark protects your brand, but if you're delivering services without a contract that assigns IP ownership clearly, your work can still be used without your permission.
The legal foundation of a business is not one document — it is the combination of the right entity, the right protections, and the right agreements governing every client relationship. I help you build all of it.