Local Expertise Supports Local Business Owners

Making Legal Resources More Accessible for Entrepreneurs

For many small business owners, legal questions are simply part of the journey.  

You may need guidance on hiring and wage laws, protecting your business name or assets, choosing a business structure, or understanding contracts and intellectual property.

The challenge isn't always knowing if you need legal guidance. Sometimes, it's knowing where to turn for that guidance in the first place.

For entrepreneurs in rural communities, finding accessible legal resources can be especially challenging. And even when you find an attorney, it can feel intimidating to reach out when you only have one or two questions, particularly when you're worried that a simple conversation could turn into a large legal bill.

The Right Resources at the Right Time

At New Growth Women’s Business Center, our goal is to help entrepreneurs connect with the right resources when they need them.

That's why we were excited when Stockton attorney and business owner Janae Graham of Janae Graham Law LLC offered to attend a Women's Business Center no-cost office hours last summer at the Cedar County Library, giving entrepreneurs an approachable starting point for questions and a chance to better understand their next steps.

Plus, when expertise comes from within the community, local business owners can feel more comfortable asking questions and confident that the person across the table understands where they’re coming from.

Questions ranged from bylaws and leasing agreements to banking addendums and other business-related legal concerns. Some entrepreneurs were navigating an immediate issue, while others simply wanted to better understand what they should be thinking about as their business grows.

Legal Education Matters

Janae also provided a recorded training on trademarks, patents, and copyrights. For many business owners, intellectual property can feel difficult to navigate. Practical education can help entrepreneurs understand the basics, recognize when additional legal guidance may be appropriate, and learn how to protect themselves before a problem arises.

You can access at no cost the Trademarks, Patents, and Copyrights training.

You Don't Have to Know Where to Start

Business owners already wear a lot of hats. It can be tempting to search online, download a template, or put off a legal question because you're not sure whether it's important enough to bring to an attorney.

That's where the New Growth Women’s Business Center can help.

We don't provide legal advice or tell you what legal decisions to make. We can help you identify your questions, prepare for a conversation with an attorney, and share with you appropriate legal resources and educational opportunities.

Sometimes, getting help starts with simply knowing which question to ask.

More Resources To Come

We're continuing to bring these kinds of opportunities to entrepreneurs throughout our region. This November, we'll be hosting another educational webinar and Business Office Hours in Nevada, Missouri, focused on business taxes.

More details, including the date and registration information, will be shared soon on our events page.

Plus, access more recorded business webinars from New Growth Women's Business Center.

Have Expertise to Share?

Janae's willingness to share her time and expertise is a great example of how local professionals can support the small businesses in their communities. If you have expertise that could help entrepreneurs through a training, workshop, or office hours, we'd love to hear from you!

Sharing your knowledge through a Women's Business Center webinar or office hours could help a local business owner take their next step with a little more confidence.

Want to learn how New Growth can support your business?  

Email wbcinfo@newgrowthmo.org or call 417-282-5936.

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_{New Growth Women's Business Center is funded (in part) through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.  All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.}