In this inspiring episode of EYL, we sit down with Rosezena "TheBizLawyer" Pierce, a leading trademark attorney and the CEO of RJ Pierce Law Group, PC based in Chicago. Rosezena, also known as "the biz lawyer" on Instagram, takes us through her extraordinary journey—from excelling in law school to facing the harsh realities of job hunting, and ultimately, founding a highly successful law firm dedicated to intellectual property law. **Key Highlights:** - **Educational Excellence and Early Challenges:** Despite graduating with a 3.5 GPA from John Marshall Law School and excelling in intellectual property classes, Rosezena faced the challenge of not receiving any job offers. She shares her unique experience of studying for and passing the bar exam while managing the responsibilities of motherhood. - **Starting Her Own Practice:** Realizing the gap in job opportunities, Rosezena took the bold step of starting her own law firm. She focused on serving underserved small business owners in the realm of trademark law, overcoming initial struggles by leveraging social media to educate and attract clients. - **Rising to the Top:** Today, RJ Pierce Law Group is ranked Number 40 out of over 28,000 trademark law firms in the country, while Rosezena herself is ranked Number 15 out of over 33,000 trademark attorneys. This is a testament to her hard work, strategy, and her dedicated team. - **Importance of Trademarks:** Rosezena dives deep into the crucial subject of trademarks, comparing trademarking your brand to owning the land before building a house on it. She educates about the nuances of trademark registration, the importance of conducting thorough searches on the USPTO website, and why hiring an attorney can make a significant difference. - **Trademarking Process Explained:** From detailed searches, opinion letters, and client counseling to handling office actions from the government, Rosezena explains every step involved in trademark registration. She also highlights the increased review times due to a surge in filings during COVID-19. - **International Trademarking Advice:** For brands looking to go global, Rosezena provides insights into international trademarking through the Madrid Protocol, weighing its benefits and challenges. She emphasizes the importance of hiring local counsel for navigating varying international laws. - **Practical Business Insights:** Rosezena shares her valuable business advice, including tips from her first business coach on the importance of building a team and not personally interacting with every client. This shift in strategy played a significant role in the expansion and high ranking of her firm. - **Real-world Examples & Case Studies:** Learn about the real-life implications of trademark law with intriguing stories like the original Burger King case in Illinois. These examples underline the critical importance of securing federal trademark rights. - **Client Experience at RJ Pierce Law Group:** Rosezena is keen on client service, offering a comprehensive onboarding process that includes research, attorney reviews, and one-on-one consultations. She highlights the importance of monitoring and protecting your brand to prevent infringement and potential loss of rights. This episode is a must-watch for aspiring entrepreneurs, small business owners, and anyone interested in the intricacies of trademark law. Rosezena Pierce's journey embodies resilience, innovation, and the power of leveraging social media to build an impactful career. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to EYL for more insightful content! ### Hashtags: #TrademarkLaw #IntellectualProperty #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #TrademarkAttorney #EYL303 #SecureTheBrand #TrademarkRegistration #BusinessLaw #LegalAdvice #RosezenaPierce #InspiringStories #BrandProtection #BlackOwnedBusiness #WomenInLaw Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of EYL, hosts Troy Millings and Rashad Bilal sit down with April Showers, a successful entrepreneur and the creative force behind Afro Unicorn. They explore the intricate world of licensing deals, trademark challenges, and the relentless drive required to build a global brand. April Showers shares her experiences related to Kanye West’s licensing deal with Adidas and provides insights into what can go wrong when creative control is sacrificed. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining ownership over variations of your product and the pitfalls of not reading contracts thoroughly. Her own journey with Afro Unicorn underscores the significance of strategizing about intellectual property and market positioning from the very beginning. April delves into the emotional challenges she faced while building Afro Unicorn, which include personal losses and the hurdles of the global pandemic. Despite these struggles, her vision remained clear. She stresses the value of manifesting your goals and not worrying about the intricate “how” of achieving them. With a determined attitude of “all gas, no breaks,” April’s story is a testament to resilience and belief in one's vision. Trademark infringement is another critical topic of discussion. April recounts her painful experience when another brand attempted to replicate Afro Unicorn, leading to market confusion. She explains the lengthy legal process required to safeguard her brand and the necessity of outworking competitors to maintain her market position. The hosts and April also discuss the multi-faceted approach to licensing, breaking down how she collaborates with over 45 different licensees across various product categories. She utilizes her ace card—Walmart's interest in her brand—to negotiate leverage in discussions with potential partners. This strategic partnership with Walmart has significantly boosted Afro Unicorn’s market presence. Moreover, April shares practical advice, such as how she scouts potential licensees by examining product packaging in stores and then conducting focused outreach through LinkedIn. This proactive approach has been instrumental in expanding Afro Unicorn's footprint domestically and paves the way for international expansion. For aspiring entrepreneurs, this episode is a treasure trove of actionable insights and motivational wisdom. April Showers not only discusses the technical aspects of licensing and trademarking but also offers heartfelt advice on navigating the entrepreneurial journey with unwavering confidence and strategic thinking. Join us for an enlightening conversation that dives deep into the importance of maintaining creative control, the power of manifesting dreams, and the relentless pursuit of success. Discover how Afro Unicorn is becoming a household name and learn valuable strategies that can help you on your path to entrepreneurial greatness. *Hashtags:* #EYL #AfroUnicorn #AprilShowers #LicensingDeals #TrademarkChallenges #Entrepreneurship #ManifestingDreams #Walmart #KanyeWest #Adidas #CreativeControl #BusinessStrategies #GlobalBrand #Resilience #AllGasNoBrakes #MarketExpansion #LegalBattles #IntellectualProperty #StayFocussed Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy