Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
OCTOBER 2025
901-388-5808 DouglassRunger.com
Tooting Your Own Horn The Art of Self-Promotion That Feels Authentic
Some people love when the spotlight shines on them and relish the opportunity to grandstand or brag. When I think about self-promotion, my mind immediately goes back to my childhood and watching WWF (now WWE) pro wrestlers grab a mic and call out the whole world, proclaiming to be the baddest men on the planet. I always found it wildly entertaining: part poise, part showmanship, and part psychology. While I’ve never dropped a folding chair on opposing counsel or come up with my own brash catchphrase, I admit that I do carry a bit of that WWE swagger and competitive drive. But when it comes to pure self-promotion, even I can feel a little uncomfortable a times, like so many of us do. October is Self-Promotion Month, and self- promotion is critical to growing any business. Especially in our digital, AI-centric world, pushing your story out there, highlighting your team, and clearly showing the value you have to share with people is essential. If you’re not going to toot your own horn, I don’t know who else will. With the right mindset shifts, you can promote yourself in a way that feels honest, not obnoxious, and gets real results. I don’t have any issues with confidence because it’s always just been something internal within myself, and it comes naturally for me if I’m speaking publicly or addressing our team. But it may surprise many that I actually have an introverted side and become very uncomfortable when the focus is all on me talking about myself. Social media is incredibly powerful, but it’s where I have
my little mindset blocks. I don’t love self- promoting on social media platforms, but there are a few things that have helped me reframe how I think about things. Self-reflection is key. I know how much work I’ve put into my craft and know that no one is going to ever out-work me, so I’m confident in my abilities as a lawyer and leader. I also know how much work I’ve done on myself as a person and the brutal self-reflection I’ve engaged in over the years. I know my strengths and my weaknesses, and more importantly, I accept both, which makes self-promotion easier. For example, I feel strongly that I’m one of the top probate lawyers in the city. This belief is not rooted in ego; rather, it is based off of my experience, and grinding and sharpening my skills over the past 20 years. I also acknowledge that there are areas of law — including family law, elder law and estate planning, where I’m competent, but not elite. For that reason, I assembled an all-star team of professionals who, in my opinion, are the best in the city at what they do and are way more knowledgeable and experienced than me in their respective practice areas. It’s the same in business. I know my strengths, which are sales/marketing/team building, but I know my weaknesses, too, which are organization, operations, and people management. Because I want our clients to receive the best representation and experience possible, I’m all about being part of a team — and believe there is strength in numbers — so I always wanted to surround myself with people who are smarter and more experienced than me in the areas where I was lacking, whether
it’s law or business. For this reason, I’ve found it much easier for me to promote our team, even though I act as the face of the organization. Shining a spotlight on our extraordinary team members, by extension, highlights our firm and even me. The other thing that’s helped me is truly embracing this concept that if you or your team has special gifts and talents that can positively impact someone’s life, it’s actually selfish not to let the world know about it! Follow me here, because this may sound confusing, but basically when you let the world know about your talents or results (self-promote), you educate people about your services and why your team, as opposed to another lawyer or law firm, is best equipped to help them. If you withhold this information from the world, someone you don’t even know may hire a lesser qualified professional, or even worse, an unethical organization, to handle their case, which in turn could screw up their life and
Continued on Page 2 ...
901-388-5805 • 1
... continued from Cover
result in expensive mistakes. By not “self- promoting,” you are not being “humble.” You are depriving people of the opportunity to engage in your services, possibly to their detriment, all because your subconscious mind did not want to be perceived as arrogant or boastful. “IF YOU’RE NOT GOING TO TOOT YOUR OWN HORN, I DON’T KNOW WHO ELSE WILL.” As lawyers, we’re storytellers, and that’s one of the best ways you can promote what you’re doing. Sharing examples of your
experiences and accomplishments speaks for itself. By telling your story, you allow people to draw their own conclusions and get an understanding of what you and your business are all about. I launched a lawyer consulting company about 10 years ago and engaged coaching program to help me with the launch. The program required me to do a 30-day video challenge where I shot a Facebook Live about my services and delivered valuable lesson to my audience every day for a month. As uncomfortable as I felt, completing the video challenge showed me a way to put myself out there without being “look at me,” and instead educating people about my experiences so they could learn from the mistakes that I’ve made and avoid unnecessary pain. There’s no bragging in that; it’s sharing practical information,
and I was amazed at the positive feedback I received from my videos (I didn’t think anyone would watch them). Self-promotion is an essential part of business, but it doesn’t have to be about ego. It’s about making sure the people who need your help know you exist and are willing and able to help them. By approaching it as storytelling, shining a light on others, and focusing on educating, you’ll find putting yourself out there feels less like bragging and more about making a difference. So, take a moment this October to put yourself out there! You never know who needs to hear what you have to share!
Q4 Is Here Your End-of-Year Legal To-Do List
October is here, and along with pumpkin spice and Halloween costumes, it also brings the official start of Q4. For small-business owners, it’s the perfect time to focus on wrapping up the year with intention so you can start 2026 off right. Here’s a legal end-of-year checklist with some of the main steps to ensure your business stays compliant, protected, and set for another year of success. 2025 TAX FILING PREPARATION It’s never too early to start preparing for tax season, and Q4 is a great time to review your company financials and start gauging potential tax liability. Review your company books to identify individuals or companies that should be issued 1099 forms in January and meet with your tax strategist or CPA to review opportunities for potential tax avoidance strategies. This is also a good time to look at any work-in-progress and determine whether or not your business should aggressively close the year strong from a revenue standpoint or look for opportunities to push some potential revenue into the next year. Regardless, you can avoid a lot of stress by getting organized for April 15th by doing a little “front- end” work toward the latter part of the year. FINALIZATION OF BUSINESS PLAN AND BUDGET With the new year right around the corner, Fall is a great time to either start preparation of your company’s 2026 Business Plan or put the finishing touches on it. Take a look back at your goals from this year and see what initiatives were completed and what projects should be
pushed forward to next year. Additionally, it’s important to establish an annual budget for next year before the December holiday push. Take a look at your company’s hiring plan to determine what positions need to be filled or added the following year and review the company’s marketing budget as well. If you complete your company’s Business Plan and Budget before the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, you’ll be able to unwind and recharge for next year! REVIEW CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS You should review all your company’s contracts, agreements, and essential documents to make sure they are in compliance and up to date. Review your employee personnel files in advance of any “end of year” performance reviews and ensure that any job descriptions or KPIs have been updated for 2026. Update any of your confidentiality agreements and the terms of all your vendor or client agreements. You want to make sure any contracts that need renewal are ready to go before the end of the year. You should check for any contracts or information you need to renew, like your office lease or essential subscriptions and tools. Review any business licenses or permits to check if the information is correct or if anything needs updating. At Douglass & Runger, we can help you review all your agreements and any other Q4 necessities so you stay compliant and are ready for a great new year. Contact us today at 901-388-5805 to schedule a meeting with one of our seasoned business lawyers.
2 • DouglassRunger.com
It may be spooky season this month, but if you are a business owner, the real frights aren’t monsters or goblins; they’re legal mistakes or oversights that could cost you. From improper recordkeeping to not setting clear expectations for your employees, these missteps can lead to compliance issues, big headaches, and even bigger expenses. Don’t let these mistakes haunt you. Here’s how to keep your company safe from the things that go bump in the bylaws. Avoid a Legal Nightmare Scary Mistakes That Could Haunt Your Business
Inspired by WhatMollyMade.com
Maple Bourbon Smash Cocktail
Ingredients Spiced Maple Simple Syrup • 1/2 cup water • 1/2 cup maple syrup • 2–3 cinnamon sticks • 1–2 star anise • 1-inch piece fresh ginger Maple Bourbon Smash • 1 orange wheel • 1 sprig fresh
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice • 2 tbsp fresh orange juice • 2 tbsp spiced maple simple syrup • 2 oz bourbon • 5 drops orange bitters • Ginger beer or soda water
rosemary, plus extra for serving
Directions 1. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add simple syrup ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, strain out spices, and let cool (this makes enough for multiple cocktails; store in the fridge). 2. In a cocktail shaker, add orange wheel, rosemary, lemon juice, and orange juice. Using a muddler or spoon, muddle together and add 2 tbsp of the spiced simple syrup. Pour in bourbon and orange bitters, and shake well to combine. 3. In a glass, add ice and strain bourbon mixture over ice, topping with ginger beer or soda water. Garnish with rosemary. INSPIRATION “I notice that Autumn is more the season of the soul than of nature.” —Friedrich Nietzsche
GHOSTED BY YOUR OWN RECORDS Staying organized and keeping the proper records is crucial for more than just staying on top of things; it will help you protect your assets and meet legal requirements. This is a common mistake among businesses, and it could threaten your status as a corporate entity. Improper recordkeeping can cause issues with the IRS or other taxing authorities, limiting your ability to get financing or causing personal liability. Document everything, like board of directors meetings, financial information, or stock issuances. GHASTLY GAPS IN GUIDANCE Your employees are one of your most valuable investments, and if you do not set clear expectations and rules for them, it can become a breeding ground for legal issues or costly turnover. Employees should have formal job descriptions, recurring performance reviews, and regular training. Failing to do any of these things could lead to workplace injuries, wage disputes, lawsuits, or even accusations of discrimination. Regular reviews of your employee policies and establishing clear written procedures can help protect you and your team. WHEN DIY TURNS TO DREAD Any contracts you have in place, whether it’s with vendors, clients, or customers, need to have the correct information and language. Without a well- drafted contract, various professional disputes or misunderstandings can result, costing you time, money, and possibly even business. Especially in today’s AI- driven world, DIY or internet templates are more prevalent than ever, but they don’t always account for your state’s laws, the specifics of your business, or the right terms for your partner. A skilled attorney can ensure your contracts are enforceable, tailored to your needs, and legally sound.
Don’t let any legal mistakes scare you this season. Contact Douglass & Runger to review your business practices so you are protected where you need it most.
901-388-5805 • 3
2865 Summer Oaks Drive Bartlett, TN 38134 901-388-5805 DouglassRunger.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 Your Skills Are a Gift Worth Sharing 2 Is Your Business Legally Ready for 2026? 3 Creepy Contracts and Haunted Handbooks
Maple Bourbon Smash Cocktail
4 Credit Checks Beyond the Score
More Than Just a Credit Score All the Things Lenders Really Check
When you apply for a loan or credit card, it’s easy to assume your credit report tells the whole story. But honestly, that’s only one piece of the puzzle. Behind the scenes, lenders are looking at other details, and those can matter just as much, if not more. Here’s something that catches people off guard: The credit score you see might not be the one your lender uses. Different lenders pull reports from different credit bureaus, and many rely on customized scoring models made for their industry. That means the “good” score you see on a free app might not match the lender’s number. Lenders also look at how steady your income is and how much debt you carry compared to what you earn. You could
have a perfect payment history but raise red flags if your debt-to-income ratio is too high. And the kind of credit you’re applying for makes a difference, too. For instance, a mortgage or auto loan gets more scrutiny than a store credit card.
Other behind-the-scenes factors also matter. Some lenders track how often you apply for new credit. If it looks like you’ve been applying everywhere, that can make them nervous. A few lenders even use internal data based on your history with them, and those things never show up in your credit report. It’s not always obvious how much weight these things carry, but they help explain why someone with a solid score might still be denied. Your credit report matters. But so do your habits, your consistency, and the bigger story your finances tell. If you’re considering borrowing, it’s worth looking at the whole picture. Clean up your credit, yes — but also take stock of your income, budget, and how you manage what you already have.
4 • DouglassRunger.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator