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Small-Business Tip of the Month

Articulate presumptions with partners and advisers.
By Molly Stuart

Many entrepreneurs seem overly inclined to create a legal partnership with others. Sometimes the sense of insecurity that naturally comes with a new business venture encourages people to recruit support. However, partnerships can bring as may complications as relief. Even if a partnership is the best move for you and your business, all contingencies must be discussed frankly and in depth. The key: put it in writing.

1. Avoid dividing everything 50/50 as that makes it difficult to break a logjam.

2. Remember to talk about death and taxes — have a plan and understand the financial ramifications. 

3. Define the time frame of the partnership and possible events that could trigger the ending.

4. Protect your personal assets from liability due to the acts of your partner.

5. Clarify your approach to settling unforeseen disputes or issues. 

 

How Do You Say ‘Break a Leg’ in Greek?

STC-2, the Sacramento Theatre Company’s training program for aspiring young professionals, is poised to reconnect with the origin of all things theatrical. Fundraising and rehearsals are in full swing for a two-week trip to perform “The Tale” in Greece next June. According to Artistic Director Peggy Shannon (far right ), “We commissioned ‘The Tale’ last year from Tommy Smith as a rock ‘n roll retelling of the classics; a greatest hits of Greek mythology aimed at a younger audience.” Directed by STC Artistic Associate Saffron Henke (center), the young company — all members must maintain a 3.0 GPA to stay active in the program — will perform as part of the Miaoulia Festival on Hydra as well as at an ancient venue in Athens.

Saul Bass’ Fuller Polarity

Talk about hiding in plain sight. At one of midtown Sacramento’s busier intersections, there is a prime example of art in public places: 81 poles in 32 hues set in a 9 x 9 grid at the corner of 16th and Q streets.
    Though specifics are tough to come by, the freshly painted “Fuller Poles,” as they are known in the ’hood, were created in the ’60s by international design icon Saul Bass as part of logo development for Fuller Paints. A Fuller store used to be on the corner. The sculpture also fronted for ICI Paint Store, until the retailer decamped more than a year ago reportedly due to escalating rents.
    Bass, who died in 1996, was a dominant force in commercial art as well as in the film industry for the better part of three decades. He pioneered the art of film titles as masterworks, most notably for Alfred Hitchcock blockbusters (“Vertigo,” “Psycho,” and “North by Northwest”).
    CB Richard Ellis is representing the 8,500-sq.-ft. property owned by Evergreen Co. The owners, who prefer not to be named, say they are looking to lease the property and have no plans at this time to sell it. There are no plans to dismantle or relocate the art, though that could change if a buyer does not perceive the “Fuller Poles” to be an asset.
    Though often thought of as public art, the poles reportedly aren’t protected because they sit on private property, were created as a commercial project and have not been there for more than 50 years. With the city in the process of rethinking that block’s zoning from commercial to mixed use or residential, developers could have the final say. Even classic, arty advertising is not protected by state or federal laws.

Fresh Young Perspectives
Prosper’s student bloggers from local universities delivered the goods in real time at the recent Metro Chamber Perspectives.
    Powered by Cingular’s new 3G wireless cards, Prosper’s select panel of Sacramento State and UC Davis students created an edgy, timely blogathan for the two weeks prior to the event. Their efforts culminated in live-event blogging as the speakers hit the podium, a first. This thought-provoking, robust commentary continues on the Prosper website as a testament to the next generation’s vision for America.
    After the exhausting, some might say mind-numbing, parade of speakers at the all-day event, the Prosper editorial staff and bloggers convened back at the offices to award a $1,000 prize to UC Davis student Lais Santos for generating the most buzz and quality dialogue with her blog. All other bloggers were also given a stipend.
    And now that the 12th annual Perspectives event is but a bookmark, what did you think? Prosper is eager to carry on the conversation and influence the decision makers on next year’s Perspectives. Go to our blog and let the Metro Chamber know who you want to hear and why.

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