A letter of indemnity could head off a breach of contract issue

On behalf of Richard Lambert of Dunn Lambert, LLC on Thursday, April 16, 2020.

As a small business owner, you have likely had many contractual obligations during the course of your company's operations. Because you understand the importance of upholding contract terms, you do your best to always remain compliant with any agreements you come to with other parties. Of course, you expect the same from them.

However, certain circumstances could end up out of your control, and though you agreed to certain terms, some extenuating factor may make it nearly impossible for you to carry out your side of the deal. You do not want to end up in breach of the contract terms, so what can you do?

Commercial leases may have complex terms

On behalf of Richard Lambert of Dunn Lambert, LLC on Thursday, February 20, 2020.

Finding and leasing a commercial property can be complicated and time consuming. Whether you are looking for the perfect place to launch your small business or seeking retail and warehouse space for a major expansion of your company, you will be dealing with landlords, contractors, zoning officials and other entities.

As eager as you may be to get your business going in its new location, the last thing you want to do is to rush to sign a commercial lease before carefully considering every contingency. A lease is a contract, and signing it may bind you to terms you are not willing or able to meet.

What you need to know about shareholder derivative actions

On behalf of Richard Lambert of Dunn Lambert, LLC on Friday, December 27, 2019.

Owning your own company may have been a lifelong dream. When you chose to form your business as a corporation, you knew you would take on shareholders.

They have responsibilities to your company, but you also must extend them certain rights. One of those rights allows your shareholders to keep an eye on the company, along with what you do with it.

Thinking of starting a business after retirement?

On behalf of Richard Lambert of Dunn Lambert, LLC on Tuesday, November 5, 2019.

Like many in New Jersey and elsewhere, you may be looking forward to retirement. In fact, you may have spent most of your career planning for the day when you would clean out your desk or locker and say goodbye to your job forever. Lying on a beach, sleeping late or traveling are not your goals for retirement. You have more of a challenge in mind.

If you are like a rising number of retirees across the country, you have a passion you want to pursue, and that means starting your own business. While this may be something you plan to do for self-fulfillment, it may also be a necessary source of income during your retirement years. Because of this, you will want to take the appropriate steps to ensure the success and profitability of your business.

Can an angel investor help get your business going?

On behalf of Richard Lambert of Dunn Lambert, LLC on Friday, September 6, 2019.

You may have seen comedy shows in which a character repeatedly goes to friends and family, asking them to invest in his or her next great idea. While the joke is that the character's schemes are never going to be successful, the thought of going to friends and family for financial help with getting your business started may not seem funny to you.

If you are ready to start your own New Jersey business but lack the capital to make it happen, you may wonder where you can go for help. Perhaps you are not able to acquire the loan amount you need, and your loved ones are not able or willing to sink what they have into your business. You may want to explore the option of seeking an angel investor. These wealthy individuals often look for opportunities to invest in new businesses they feel have potential for success.

What are your options if you suspect a business partner of theft?

On behalf of Richard Lambert of Dunn Lambert, LLC on Wednesday, July 17, 2019.

When you started your business, you likely hoped that you and your business partner would see smooth sailing for the most part. You undoubtedly expected squabbles now and then simply because any type of relationship has that possibility, but you may not have expected to face serious problems with your business partner that put your company at risk.

Unfortunately, not all partnerships work out as individuals intend in the beginning, and in some cases, the problems can stem from a partner stealing from company accounts. This idea may have seemed outrageous if you had thought of it when you first started your company, but now, you understand all too well how real a problem it is.

Take your time when starting a second small business

On behalf of Richard Lambert of Dunn Lambert, LLC on Monday, May 20, 2019.

Starting your own New Jersey business can result in a mixture of excitement and terror. You may have little to no idea what to expect, but you know you are taking a heavy risk. Many first-time business owners are not successful, so you may have been pleasantly surprised when your company took its place in the market and began to make a profit for you.

Now, you have a new idea, perhaps one that is radically different from the inspiration that brought about your first business. The success of that first venture may give you confidence to dive right in, but there are some points you should keep in mind before you place both investments at risk.

Small business owners should plan for tomorrow, today

On behalf of Richard Lambert of Dunn Lambert, LLC on Saturday, March 23, 2019.

If you own a small business in New Jersey, you know how difficult it is to start a company from scratch, build a client base and sustain success. You have poured your heart and soul into your business, and it may be difficult to think of a day when you will not be running your small business. However, that day will come, and it is in your interests to plan for it now.

Succession planning is a smart step for all business owners. Even if you believe that it will be years before you step away, you can make plans now that will give you peace of mind for whatever comes down the road. Having certain plans in place means that you get the final say over what happens to your company.

Avoiding mistakes when selling your business

On behalf of Richard Lambert of Dunn Lambert, LLC on Thursday, January 31, 2019.

Whether your decision to sell your business was part of your long-term plan or circumstances such as a divorce or illness have left you no choice, you want to be sure to get the best price and avoid the risk of a breakdown in negotiations with a potential buyer. You may have put many years and dollars into your venture, and letting go of it will be difficult enough without losing everything you invested.

Unless you have sold a business before, you may have many questions about the best way to proceed to maximize your profit. Even if you do have experience in selling a company, you may find it beneficial to seek advice for avoiding some of the common mistakes that can bring your exit strategy to a crashing halt.

Are deceptive trade practices harming your business?

On behalf of Richard Lambert of Dunn Lambert, LLC on Tuesday, December 4, 2018.

Because the business world is often considered dog-eat-dog, it may not seem surprising that some individuals will take unscrupulous measures to beat out their competition. Of course, as a business owner, you want to do your best to help your company succeed without stooping to such levels.

Unfortunately, you may not have the ability to avoid competitors who participate in deceptive trade practices. Commonly, these actions can harm one company's revenue while working to boost another company's success. The majority of these practices are not considered criminal acts, but they do create an environment of unfair competition, which you could file a legal claim against.