1. SIX LEGAL TIPS FOR STARTING A
BUSINESS
FastTrac NewVenture
P. Haans Mulder
Cunningham Dalman, P.C.
321 Settlers Road
Holland, MI 49423
(616) 392-1821
phmulder@holland-law.com
Serving the Holland area since 1900

2. Background
 Attorney and Partner at Cunningham
Dalman, P.C.
 Have a Masters in Tax (MST) and
specialize in business planning and
estate planning
Serving the Holland area since 1900

3. Background
 Cunningham Dalman, P.C. is located in
Holland and has been serving clients
since 1900
 We have 15 attorneys specializing in all
areas of the law
Serving the Holland area since 1900

4. If you are looking for perfect safety, you will do
well to sit on a fence and watch the birds.....
Wilbur Wright
Serving the Holland area since 1900

5. #1-DEVELOP AN AWARENESS OF
LEGAL ISSUES
 Planning is king because problems in your
business are much more difficult to resolve
than to avoid
 An attorney will help you identify risks and
plan to avoid or minimize them
 But, your attorney will not be aware of the
risks in your business unless you
communicate them
Serving the Holland area since 1900

6. #2-REALIZE THAT LIMITED
LIABILITY IS LIMITED
 This seems only intuitive, but many
entrepreneurs believe that a corporation
protects them from all business liability
 Limited liability can be viewed as an
additional level of insurance that protects
you against business risks
 However, like insurance, it is not bullet-
proof
Serving the Holland area since 1900

7. #3-OBTAIN ALL NECESSARY PERMITS
FOR YOUR BUSINESS
 There are a wide variety of permits and
licenses that are required for businesses
 Search at the state level whether you are
required to obtain any licenses-
www.michigan.gov/statelicensesearch
 Also contact local governmental units (i.e.
county, city, township, village)
Serving the Holland area since 1900

8. #4-FIND OUT ABOUT FINANCING
OPTIONS
 You can either borrow money or invest it in
the business as equity
 Both forms of financing are important, but
oftentimes come with a cost and result in
restrictions in your business decisions
 Loans are primarily with a bank and are not
available unless you have collateral
Serving the Holland area since 1900

9. #5-PROTECT YOUR INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY
 Intellectual property law allows certain ideas
and intangibles to be protected
 You may protect a name or symbol to use
with the sale of goods or services
 You could register a patent so you have a
monopoly on the sale of this product for a
certain period of time
Serving the Holland area since 1900

10. #6-DOCUMENT YOUR IMPORTANT
DECISIONS AND ACTIONS
 Not having something written down
significantly undermines your ability to
enforce a contract or protect yourself in
court
 You should be as clear and as concise as
possible and always date documents
Serving the Holland area since 1900

11. Thank You
P. Haans Mulder
Cunningham Dalman, P.C.
321 Settlers Road
Holland, MI 49423
(616) 392-1821
phmulder@holland-law.com
www.holland-law.com/phaansmulder.htm
Linkedin-www.linkedin.com/pub/1/274/701
Serving the Holland area since 1900