WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/yy0ilDc7SfI
Dear Clients & Friends,
August is here, and I’m finding myself in a season of transition. I’ve been trying to get a little more movement into my life lately—taking an hour walk every day by the beach to clear my head and deal with some of the physical “wear and tear” that comes from the long hours of running a small business. Walking by the water has given me a lot of time to reflect, pray, and think about what’s next.
I’m so excited to share some news: I have been selected to be a speaker again at FinCon 2026 in Palm Springs! I’ll be out in California this September talking about the very things we discuss here—protecting your brand and building a business on a solid foundation. If you’re a creator or business owner and want to join me, you can use my personal code LORRAINE50 at finconexpo.com for $50 off your pass.
Looking back, it’s wild to think about the journey. In my latest video, I talk about my early days as a 1099 worker. Even back then, I was blessed with an opportunity to participate in a retirement plan in my early 20s. That one decision was a life-changer for me, and it’s why I feel so strongly about stewardship today.
A Conversation About Real Freedom
This month on the LFW Network, I’m sharing an interview I recorded with my friend, Janine Firpo (author of Activate Your Money and a member of the Forbes 50 Over 50). Janine and I sat down to talk about something I know resonates with so many of you: taking full control of your financial and business affairs.
Janine makes a point that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about: Independence isn’t real if you’re depending on someone else to understand your money for you.
We talked about:
- Why “starting small” (even $25 a week) mathematically wins over trying to “catch up” later;
- Values-based investing (did you know there are funds designed to align with Catholic views and interests?);
- Why women specifically need to be more active in their investments and “angel” opportunities; and
- Viewing investing as a tool for financial freedom.
Watch the full conversation here: How Women Can Take Control of Their Money | Janine Firpo Interview
A Quick Operating Agreement Check-In
If you own an LLC, especially a single-member LLC, take a moment to review your operating agreement and make sure it actually matches your business.
Recently, I received a referral involving a single-member LLC. An online legal platform had prepared an operating agreement for the client, but the document was drafted for a multi-member LLC. The client paid without realizing the document did not accurately describe her business.
This is an important reminder: whether an operating agreement comes from an online platform or a lawyer, you should understand what you are signing before you sign it. Your operating agreement is not just a formality. It can govern important questions about how your business is managed, what happens if you become incapacitated, how ownership may be transferred, and what happens when an owner dies or no longer wishes to continue.
For single-member LLC owners, the document should be reviewed carefully to make sure it addresses the realities of a single-owner business and your plans for the future. For multi-member LLCs, the agreement should clearly address ownership, decision-making, transfers, buyouts, and succession.
If you are not sure whether your operating agreement accurately reflects your business, it is worth having it reviewed before an emergency makes the issue urgent.
A Quick Trademark Note
The USPTO appears to be moving more quickly again in reviewing new applications, which is welcome news for businesses waiting for their applications to be examined.
We have also reached out to clients whose five-year maintenance filings are coming due. If you have a registered trademark and believe it may be approaching the five-year mark, feel free to contact us so we can verify whether a filing is due.
Missing the regular filing period can create additional expense. The USPTO charges an additional $100 per class for maintenance filings submitted during the grace period, on top of the regular filing fee. Trademark maintenance fees can already be significant, so timely review can help you avoid unnecessary additional costs and protect your registration.
If you aren’t sure where your brand stands, you can schedule a trademark consultation here.
Thoughts to Take to the Beach…
Janine’s message about taking charge of your finances is exactly how I feel about your legal “backend.” I see it all the time—business owners who are brilliant at what they do, but they’ve left the control of their business structure to “someday” or to a generic template they don’t really understand.
Being a good steward of your business means making sure the foundation is solid before you try to grow. That includes:
- Your Operating Agreement: Does it actually reflect your goals for retirement or succession?
- Your Brand: Are you building on “rented land” or do you actually own your trademarks?
- Your Future: Are you organized enough that if you decided to do something else tomorrow, your business would be a “gift” and not a burden?
Let’s make August the month we get our matters organized so we can grow with total peace of mind.
📩 Contact us: info@galvisandcompany.com
📅 Schedule: Firm Calendar
May God bless you! Hoping you enjoy the rest of the summer!
With gratitude,
Lorraine
Founder, Galvis & Co.®
Trademark & Business Counsel
Serving Business Clients in NY & CT | Trademark Clients Nationwide
