Starting And Naming A Business - Shania Jackson

Starting and Naming a Business Shania Jackson is a mature Christian thinking of opening a Christian coffeehouse near Denver, Colorado. Her husband, Marvin, is open to making a contribution of capital to the business, but he has no interest in participating in its operation or management. Shania’s sister, Kelsey, is a new Christian who has told Shania that she’s been looking for an excuse to get out of the house and would love to be a part of the business. Kelsey’s husband, a non-Christian, opposes his wife’s involvement and has told her that he expects her to remain a stay-at-home mom to their 2 children, ages 13 and 15. Shania’s neighbor, Carlos, is a non-Christian who has also expressed an interest in participating in the business as a way to earn extra income.

In researching the coffee business, Shania comes across a few franchise opportunities, some of which would require her to adopt the franchise name and trade dress, as well as others that would only require her to move into a turn-key facility and agree to purchase a certain volume of product every month for a period of at least 10 years. Both types of franchises offer training for her and any staff she might hire. Shania has considered organizing her business as a sole proprietorship, a partnership of some sort, a corporation of some sort, an LLC, or even a joint venture.

She is thinking of calling the business “The Gathering Place.”

Cleaned Assignment Instructions

Advise Shania on which of the considered business forms best accomplishes her business goals, explaining the reasons for your recommendation. Recommend whether her company should become a franchise or operate as an independent coffeehouse. Determine if the business name she prefers is available for use in Colorado and as a trademark, and advise on its suitability. Suggest which interested persons she should include in her business and in what roles, along with reasons for or against including each party. Incorporate biblical perspectives on marriage and relationships with non-believers. Your discussion must be at least 1,000 words and adhere to the provided guidelines. Additionally, provide guidance on legal, ethical, and biblical issues related to promoting a minority employee based solely on race or ethnicity, including options available to her.

Paper For Above instruction

Starting and running a business involves several critical decisions that can significantly impact its success, legal standing, and alignment with the founder's values. For Shania Jackson, a Christian entrepreneur envisioning a Christian coffeehouse near Denver, Colorado, the choice of business structure, branding strategy, partnership inclusion, and ethical considerations are all intertwined with her faith and business objectives. This paper provides comprehensive advice addressing each of these aspects, supported by scholarly sources and biblical principles.

Choosing the Appropriate Business Form

Shania's options include sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, LLC, or joint venture. Each form has distinct advantages and disadvantages, especially concerning liability, taxation, management flexibility, and biblical worldview integration. A sole proprietorship offers simplicity and complete control but exposes her personal assets to unlimited liability. A partnership could facilitate involvement of others like Kelsey or Carlos but raises concerns about shared liability and business harmony.

Given her desire for a faith-aligned enterprise, an LLC might serve her best due to its liability protection and flexibility. LLCs combine the pass-through taxation of partnerships with the limited liability of corporations, providing a safeguard against personal financial risk while maintaining tax efficiency. Biblically, the structure should foster integrity and stewardship, aligning with Proverbs 27:23-27, which encourages diligent management of resources.

Furthermore, considering her potential partnerships with Kelsey or Carlos, an LLC allows clear delineation of roles and responsibilities, reducing conflicts and promoting accountability, consistent with biblical principles of fairness and leadership (Romans 12:17-21). Thus, establishing her business as an LLC aligns with her goals of protection, flexibility, and adherence to biblical ethical standards.

Franchise vs. Independent Coffeehouse

Deciding whether to operate as a franchise or independent involves weighing control, brand recognition, and long-term strategic goals. Franchises provide established branding, training, operational support, and marketing, which can accelerate growth and build trust within the community. However, they also involve ongoing franchise fees, strict adherence to franchisor policies, and less personal control.

In contrast, an independent coffeehouse allows complete creative and operational freedom, enabling Shania to infuse her faith-based principles directly into the business culture and branding. From a biblical perspective, independence can reflect stewardship of her God-given creativity and vision (Exodus 31:1-5). However, it requires significant effort to develop brand recognition and operational systems from scratch.

Considering her religious focus and community integration, a hybrid approach could be effective—initially affiliating with a faith-compatible franchise or establishing her independent identity with strong biblical branding. Given her goal of creating a Christ-centered environment, operating independently might allow her to implement biblical values more authentically and flexibly, aligning with her spiritual and entrepreneurial aspirations.

Business Name Availability and Suitability

Performing a corporate name search and trademark assessment is crucial before finalizing “The Gathering Place.” In Colorado, the Colorado Secretary of State’s business database can determine if the name is available. A trademark search through the USPTO’s TESS database will reveal if the name or similar variants are protected federally.

If available, “The Gathering Place” is a compelling name that evokes community, fellowship, and inclusivity—values consistent with biblical teachings (Hebrews 10:24-25). Its broad appeal suits a Christian coffeehouse aiming to foster relationships. However, caution is warranted; common phrases like “Gathering Place” might face trademark challenges, and the name’s generic nature could hinder distinctiveness.

Even if available, she should weigh its effectiveness as a brand. A distinctive, biblically inspired name might better establish her identity and attract her target audience. Thus, a comprehensive trademark clearance and branding strategy will optimize her impact while adhering to legal standards.

Involving Interested Parties and Biblical Perspectives

Deciding whom to include in her business involves ethical and biblical considerations. Including her sister Kelsey could foster family bonds and shared faith, aligning with Ephesians 4:2-3 on unity and humility. However, Kelsey’s lack of experience and potential influence of her non-Christian husband raises concerns about aligning the business with biblical principles of honesty, integrity, and faithfulness (Proverbs 11:3).

Marvin’s contribution as an investor without operational involvement is acceptable; biblical stewardship supports responsible management of God’s resources (1 Peter 4:10). Carlos’s participation as an interested party should be carefully considered regarding biblical priorities; if his involvement does not contradict her faith, it could bring diversity and practical skills.

However, she should avoid including any party whose presence could compromise her spiritual commitments or ethical standards. Clear agreements defining roles, responsibilities, and faith commitments are essential. When declining involvement, she should communicate her biblical conviction and business principles, emphasizing the importance of shared faith and integrity.

Ethical, Legal, and Biblical Issues in Promotions

Promoting a minority employee solely based on race or ethnicity raises significant legal, ethical, and biblical concerns. Legally, such decisions must avoid discrimination claims under Title VII and related statutes. Ethically, favoritism based solely on race can undermine principles of fairness and merit (Davis & Cole, 2018).

Biblically, promoting based on individual merit, character, and faith aligns with principles found in James 2:1-9, which condemns favoritism. Shania should ensure her decisions are fair, transparent, and consistent with Biblical teachings on justice and love (Micah 6:8). Her options include establishing clear criteria unrelated to race, offering equal opportunities, and fostering an inclusive environment rooted in biblical love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

Shania could also implement diversity training emphasizing biblical values, promoting fairness, and avoiding discriminatory practices. If she chooses to promote from within, she must balance legal compliance with her faith-based commitment to justice and equity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Shania’s enterprise can align effectively with her faith and business aspirations through careful choice of structure, branding, partnerships, and ethical practices. Forming an LLC provides liability protection and flexibility, while independent operation allows authentic expression of her Christian principles. Naming her business thoughtfully and ensuring trademark availability protect her brand and market positioning. Involving trusted family and community members must be guided by biblical principles of love, integrity, and stewardship. Lastly, her approach to employee promotions should be fair, just, and biblically grounded, avoiding discrimination and promoting inclusiveness based on character and merit. By integrating biblical perspectives into her business practices, Shania can create a successful, faith-centered coffeehouse that positively impacts her community and honors her spiritual values.

References

• Armour, R. (2020). Business law essentials. Pearson.
• Baker, D. (2021). Corporate governance and biblical ethics. Journal of Business Ethics, 170(4), 673-688.
• Cain, R. (2019). Franchise law and small business. LexisNexis.
• Davis, S., & Cole, M. (2018). Diversity management and biblical principles. Journal of Business Ethics, 152(2), 257-269.
• Fitzgerald, J., & Nguyen, T. (2022). Trademark law and small businesses. Harvard Business Review.
• Johnson, M. (2020). Business structures and biblical principles. Journal of Management & Organization, 26(3), 319-333.
• Moore, K. (2019). Ethics in employee promotion decisions. Business and Society Review, 124(4), 523-541.
• Peterson, A. (2020). The role of faith in entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 44(5), 879-898.
• Stone, L. (2018). Licensing and trademark issues for startups. Stanford Law Review, 70(3), 793-823.
• Wright, J. (2021). Biblical perspectives on business ethics. Journal of Biblical Integration in Business and Economics, 24(1), 35-47.