I’ve known Trademark Attorney and Sprout Law Founder Nicole Swartz for over three years. In that time, she’s successfully filed trademarks for several of my clients and for me (yes, you can trademark your name), and she’s grown her practice from a team of three to over 10 talented people. In the process she moved from solo service provider to CEO of her thriving firm. Needless to say, this was a rich (and as usual, delightful) conversation.
About Nicole:
Nicole Swartz is a trademark attorney and founder. In 2015, she started a beauty brand that was sold in hundreds of retailers around the world. But there was one big problem — she didn’t trademark her brand. One day, she woke up to a cease-and-desist letter in her inbox. Someone had trademarked her brand name and now they owned it. She had 30 days to rebrand everything. That nightmare turned into a mission: Nicole became a trademark attorney to help other female founders own their brands. Today, she runs one of the top 3 trademark law firms in the U.S., with over 2,000 trademarks filed and a 99.8% success rate.
What we covered:
1. The cost you don’t see coming is the one that hurts most.
Nicole built a beauty brand for two years before losing her business name overnight when a Cease & Desist Letter arrived in her inbox. The cost went well beyond the legal fees.
2. There’s a gender gap in trademark filings and it isn’t random.
The difference between the rate at which men and women file for trademarks is real. She tells you what’s behind it.
3. The moment to file isn’t when you’re ready, it’s before you need it.
Nicole explains when it’s the right time to file (and when it isn’t). This is a must-watch.
4. Your LLC isn’t protecting your brand.
Nicole breaks down what founders have in terms of business protection versus what they actually own.
5. She thought no one could replace her as the lead attorney in the practice.
The first attorney Nicole brought on taught her something she didn’t expect. The lesson stuck.
6. She built a firm that runs without her. Then had a baby. Then proved it.
This is an example of what building on your own terms actually looks like. And may not be how you would do it, and that’s the point.
Follow Nicole here: Website | Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | Substack
And if this has been a wakeup call for you, take her upon her offer for a free consultation.
I interviewed Nicole last August - here’s the link to our first conversation.
Until next time.
Katherine
