As groceries, rent and utilities eat deeper into household budgets, many professionals are turning to side hustles to bridge the gap. From baking cupcakes to launching digital content channels, the gig economy is buzzing with creativity. But there’s one crucial step new entrepreneurs often overlook when they take their passion projects public: legal protection.
According to a report by CNBC Make It, intellectual property attorney Darlene Harris warns that failing to secure your brand could cost you dearly, no matter how small your hustle seems today.
Why a Trademark Is More Than Just a Logo
Harris, managing attorney at Power In Protection in Charlotte, North Carolina, says the bare minimum for anyone selling a product or service is a trademark. She compares it to owning a deed to a house. Without it, your brand name, slogan or logo could be up for grabs.
“If someone else says, ‘This is my house. I live here,’ all you have to do is pull out the deed,” Harris explains in the report. “On the flip side, if you don’t have a deed, now you have to go through a whole squatter’s rights fight.”
Even side hustlers making a few hundred dollars a month aren’t exempt. Competitors could sue if they believe you’re infringing on their brand. As Harris bluntly puts it: “I don’t care if you’ve made $500. I want my percentage of that $500.”
Thinking Big Before You Scale
One of the biggest mistakes, Harris says, is treating a side hustle as “too small” to worry about. But that mindset can be dangerous. Today’s craft business on Etsy could be tomorrow’s full-fledged company. If protections aren’t in place, someone else could lay claim to your brand’s hard-earned reputation.
“You have to think big,” she advises. “Where do you want to take this, and how do we protect not only what you’re doing now, but your plans for the future?”
That’s why a quick, inexpensive online form may not be enough. Harris recommends working with an attorney who can design a long-term intellectual property strategy rather than just filing documents.
Beyond trademarks, other protections to discuss include:
Owning Your Side Hustle Dream
In Harris’s view, too many people underestimate what they’re building. “They think, ‘Oh, it’s just a side hustle.’ But if they’ve been using this name, building this image, this brand—it’s so important that they own it,” she says.
For those hoping their passion project might one day grow into a full-fledged venture, the message is clear: Protect your hustle before it’s too late.
According to a report by CNBC Make It, intellectual property attorney Darlene Harris warns that failing to secure your brand could cost you dearly, no matter how small your hustle seems today.
Why a Trademark Is More Than Just a Logo
Harris, managing attorney at Power In Protection in Charlotte, North Carolina, says the bare minimum for anyone selling a product or service is a trademark. She compares it to owning a deed to a house. Without it, your brand name, slogan or logo could be up for grabs.
“If someone else says, ‘This is my house. I live here,’ all you have to do is pull out the deed,” Harris explains in the report. “On the flip side, if you don’t have a deed, now you have to go through a whole squatter’s rights fight.”
Even side hustlers making a few hundred dollars a month aren’t exempt. Competitors could sue if they believe you’re infringing on their brand. As Harris bluntly puts it: “I don’t care if you’ve made $500. I want my percentage of that $500.”
Thinking Big Before You Scale
One of the biggest mistakes, Harris says, is treating a side hustle as “too small” to worry about. But that mindset can be dangerous. Today’s craft business on Etsy could be tomorrow’s full-fledged company. If protections aren’t in place, someone else could lay claim to your brand’s hard-earned reputation.
“You have to think big,” she advises. “Where do you want to take this, and how do we protect not only what you’re doing now, but your plans for the future?”
That’s why a quick, inexpensive online form may not be enough. Harris recommends working with an attorney who can design a long-term intellectual property strategy rather than just filing documents.
Beyond trademarks, other protections to discuss include:
- Copyright: For original work like photos, songs or writing
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP): To shield personal assets from business risks
Owning Your Side Hustle Dream
In Harris’s view, too many people underestimate what they’re building. “They think, ‘Oh, it’s just a side hustle.’ But if they’ve been using this name, building this image, this brand—it’s so important that they own it,” she says.
For those hoping their passion project might one day grow into a full-fledged venture, the message is clear: Protect your hustle before it’s too late.
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