Conversation with Michelle Suarez, The Florida Entrepreneur Lawyer

About Michelle Suarez

• Founder of "The Anti-Stuffy Business Law Firm" (slogan since 2017)
• Specializes in representing entrepreneurs and business owners
• Focuses on being approachable and down-to-earth compared to traditional "stuffy" law firms
• Located in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Key Business Legal Services

• Entity formation (LLC vs. corporation)
• Outside general counsel services
• Corporate restructuring
• Franchising guidance
• Private equity and securities compliance
• Contract review
• Intellectual property protection
• Commercial real estate and investment structuring

Essential Business Protection Tips

• Starting Out: Have a competent business lawyer, insurance broker who knows your industry, and tax consultant
• Entity Structure: In Florida, single-member LLCs have potential liability issues (charging order remedy)
• For Bootstrapped Startups: Utilize SCORE (free entrepreneurship organization), educational content, and local workshops
• As You Grow (500K+ revenue): Reinvest in proper legal protection and planning

Franchising Insights

• Represents both franchisors and franchisees
• Warning: Don't franchise too early - it requires significant capital and regulatory compliance
• Trademark protection is essential before considering franchising
• Successful franchises provide strong support to franchisees (like McDonald's model)
• Advice: Talk to existing franchisees before buying and look for brands with strong management communication

Private Equity & Securities Compliance

• Taking investment money from non-family members has significant legal implications
• Securities laws apply at both federal and state levels
• Recommendation: Structure investments as loans with proper promissory notes when possible
• "Silent investors" can lead to major legal complications

AI and Intellectual Property Concerns

• Don't upload proprietary information or trade secrets to public AI platforms like ChatGPT
• Copyright registration for AI-generated content remains in flux legally
• Register copyrights within 90 days of publication to maximize protection

Business Growth Philosophy

• Focus on what you love doing and outsource what you hate
• Consider hiring help earlier than you think you can afford it
• The mindset of resilience is essential for entrepreneurial success (reference to "Mindset" by Carol Dweck)
• True entrepreneurship means being willing to take risks and solve problems continuously

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Learn more about Michelle Suarez at: floridaentrepreneurlaw.com