The Return of the Unpaid Internship
For the past eight years, the U.S. Department of Labor (the "DOL") followed a strict six-part test to determine whether a for-profit employer could use interns without compensating them for the services they provided. Read More ›
Categories: Department of Labor, Employee Handbook, Employment, Fashion, Labor Relations
Fashion 411 Speaker Series Presents: Using Facebook to Find Your Perfect Customer
On Tuesday, November 14, the Runway in downtown Lansing hosts the Fashion 411 Speaker Series: Using Facebook to Find Your Perfect Customer. The guest speaker for this event is Michelle Roberts. Read More ›
Categories: Fashion, Social Media
Don't Miss Out: Party at The Runway
Located in the historic Knapps department store building in downtown Lansing, what started as the first project of its kind in the state of Michigan has rapidly become Michigan's premier fashion incubator. Read More ›
Fashion Designer Khanh Nguyen Shares Her Passion and Wisdom with Michigan Fashion Startups
The world of fashion is changing. No longer do aspiring designers need to live and work in traditional fashion capitals like New York, Paris or Milan in order to make a living. In fact, Michigan is continuing to emerge as a fashion design and manufacturing hub. Read More ›
Categories: Fashion, News & Events, Startup
The Perfect, Inspiring Break
If you are ready for a quiet break as you recover from holiday hoopla or want an inspiring start to the New Year, I highly recommend a visit to the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM). Foster Swift is a proud sponsor of the GRAM’s exhibit showcasing the work of Dutch fashion designer, Iris van Herpen. "Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion.” If you are familiar with van Herpen’s work, all that you need to know is that you have until January 15 to see this amazing exhibit. If not, please read on … then go see this amazing exhibit. Read More ›
Categories: Fashion, News & Events
The FTC Cranks Up the Heat on Wool
I am a very judgmental shopper – I inspect the seams and make judgments on the quality of the workmanship. I have left a lot of garments on the rack due to fabric that looks or feels “cheap.” I suspect that I share these shopping habits with everyone that knows how to sew, but doesn’t have time to make it through the pile of fabric that they just had to have.
I also read labels, before I make a purchase and again before that first trip to my washing machine or the dry cleaner. While I am a careful consumer, and someone who has relied on wool to make it through more than 30 Michigan winters, I must confess that the Federal Trade Commission cares a lot more about the details of wool labeling than I do. Read More ›
Categories: Compliance, Fashion, Manufacturing
Grow Your Business with Foster Swift's SEED Group
The decisions an entrepreneur makes at the earliest stages of a business startup are critically important to the business's success. From entity formation to fundraising to intellectual property strategies, the legal foundation that is laid from the outset can accelerate growth and increase options down the road. Read More ›
Categories: Entity Planning, Financing, Intellectual Property
Are You Personally Liable for Your Business's Debts?
Is your business structured so that you won't be personally responsible for your business's debts? Business owners might be surprised to learn that they can be held personally liable for their business's debts. But it's true, due to a concept called "piercing the corporate veil."
Whether a business owner is personally liable for business debts depends in part on the business's entity type. Learn more about which entity types offer a high degree of liability protection, here.
Categories: Entity Planning
Considering Offering an Unpaid Internship? Think Twice
Are you aware of the six-part test to determine whether or not a worker can be classified as an unpaid intern? Most interns working at for-profit organizations must be paid at least the minimum wage, plus applicable overtime. To learn more about the risks of unpaid internships, read this technology law blog post.
Categories: Employment
Have questions? Get Answers at M-Power Your Art – Tuesday, May 24, 5:00pm to 7:00pm
At the invitation of Andrea Rosenfeld, of the Detroit Art and Business Institute (DABI), I will be one of five “experts” available to chat with you on Tuesday night at the “M-Power Your Art” event. This event is one of many learning and networking opportunities available to attendees of Detroit Startup Week. Check all of them out, and register, here. Read More ›
Categories: Entity Planning, News & Events