The first in the DGG Fashion Business Workshops 12-month series is, "So You Want To Start a Business: Basics, Legalities and Insurance", and starts right where it should: with solid business basics to ensure a strong foundation for your company. However, this is not just for people looking to start a business; anyone from budding entrepreneurs to seasoned professionals will learn the myriad legalities that go into owning and operating a business.

The workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (feel free to bring your lunch!) on Wednesday, November 18 at TechTown will be led by Deanna Swisher, attorney at Foster, Swift, Collins, Smith PC, and will cover:

• The importance of your trademark and how it dictates your name selection
• The importance of forming an appropriate legal entity, and how to avoid putting your personal finances on the hook even though you formed an entity
• How to protect your design rights when working for others
• Common "start-up" financial mistakes, and how to avoid them

Deanna Swisher is a Shareholder at Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C., and leads the firm’s fashion and design law team, Fosterfashion. She received her juris doctorate from Indiana University School of Law and attended Fordham Law’s Fashion Law Institute to master issues of unique interest to fashion designers.

In addition to her fashion law practice, Deanna has years of experience in commercial and employment litigation. She is AV® Preeminent™ Martindale-Hubbell rated and recognized by Best Lawyers in America© (Commercial Litigation). Deanna represents clients in contract, warranty, real estate, creditor rights, employee misclassification and covenants not to compete disputes. She drafts employment and independent contractor agreements. Deanna also serves as an American Arbitration Association arbitrator.

Deanna regularly advises designers who are in the "start-up" phase of their business, and she and other members of Fosterfashion meet the needs of designers, others in the garment industry, and a variety of creative entrepreneurs.

Open to the public, "So, you want to start a business: Basics, Legalities and Insurance" workshop is $20 and will be held in the Proving Grounds conference room at TechTown Detroit, home of the DGG Fashion Incubator. TechTown is located at 440 Burroughs St., in Detroit. ONLY 30 SEATS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS INFORMATIVE WORKSHOP!!!