About Podcast
It’s hard to believe, but we’re already at the midway point of our Growth Strategies Masterclass! As a recap, we’ve covered how to:
- Vet and validate your business growth ideas,
- Create a strategic plan that includes validated ideas, and
- Develop project plans to implement your company’s growth strategy.
Growth comes in many shapes, forms, and scales of magnitude, and one viable way to grow is through partnerships or teaming agreements.
Have you heard the expression, “Two heads are better than one?” It’s true! Forming partnerships with the right people or companies can accelerate your business’s growth in ways you didn’t imagine. The legal aspects of forming partnerships correctly can be overwhelming.
But you’re in luck!
Our next guest is Karen Mills, a founding member of Mills Law, LLC. She has 25 years of experience practicing law with a specialty in contracts law and mediation services. Her expertise in teaming agreements is invaluable, making her the go-to authority for entrepreneurs and business owners seeking clear and fair strategies for growth.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- The various types of teaming arrangements so that you set your business up for success,
- How to navigate the fine print of contracts to safeguard your business’s future,
- The questions you should ask yourself before entering a partnership,
- Why you should always figure out an exit plan at the start of a partnership, and much more!
Stop relying on verbal agreements or handshakes to conduct business deals that make you and your business susceptible to unexpected and costly pitfalls. Instead, protect your business and its assets through clearly written contracts as you transition from the honeymoon phase of forming a new partnership. It can be one of the best investments you make!
- Defining Roles and Responsibilities – Ensuring clear contributions and obligations to prevent misunderstandings in teaming agreements, joint ventures, and strategic alliances.
- Legal and Financial Protections – Safeguarding intellectual property, confidentiality, and financial interests when forming teams without outside parties.
- Performance Expectations and Compliance – Setting up projects and ongoing work to meet contractual, regulatory, and quality standards.
- Dispute Resolution and Exit Strategies – Establishing conflict resolution methods and termination conditions.
Special Guest: Karen Mills, P.E., Managing Member – Mills Law, LLC
Location: Atlanta, GA
Air Date: June 16, 2024
Website:
- Mills Law, LLC: Karen Mills’ company website.
- Request a Free 15-minute Phone Consultation with Karen to Get Access to Her Full List of Teaming Agreement Questions!: a page on the company website where you can book a free consultation with Karen Mills.
Software:
- DocuSign: a software that provides products for organizations to manage electronic agreements with electronic signatures on different devices.
Professional Membership:
- Practically Legal Lifestyle: an online membership website where Karen teaches online trainings, webinars, and Q&As.
- Producer & Host: Alicia Butler Pierre
- Audio Editor: Olanrewaju Adeyemo
- Sound Design: Sabor! Music Enterprises
- Video Editor: Gladys Jimenez
- Production Assistant: Grant Revilla
- Sponsor: Equilibria, Inc.
More About Guest, Karen Mills:
Karen Mills, a native of Macon, Georgia, graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, with honors. She obtained her law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also attained the engineering profession’s highest designation by becoming a registered professional engineer in North Carolina and South Carolina.
More About Host, Alicia Butler Pierre:
Alicia Butler Pierre is the Founder & CEO of Equilibria, Inc.. Her career in operations began over 25 years ago while working in various chemical plants and oil refineries. She invented the Kasennu™ framework for business infrastructure and authored, Behind the Façade: How to Structure Company Operations for Sustainable Success. She is the producer of the weekly top 2% Business Infrastructure podcast with a global audience across 70+ countries.Alicia is also an adjunct instructor of Lean Principles at Purdue University and serves as the USA Chair of the G100’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. The Process Excellence Network recognized her as a Top 50 Thought Leader in Operational Excellence. A chemical engineer turned entrepreneur, she’s designed and optimized processes for small businesses, large enterprises, non-profits, and government organizations alike.
More About Sponsor, Equilibria:
Equilibria, Inc. is an 19-year-old boutique operations management firm. We build the business infrastructure necessary for fast-growing businesses to scale with less pain. With a range of services and products, entrepreneurs can get the operational support and resources they need on demand. 
