Good Afternoon Everyone:

We have a few requests for services from our graduates for assistance. Please respond to stephen.jackson@wibo.works if you have available time to assist any of our graduates with their business issues.

Have a healthy and safe week.

1st Graduate - Joanne Sullivan

I'm looking for an attorney who specializes in workplace law to review a contract regarding freelance work.

Tell us what you've done to fix the problem.

again be specific about the steps, tools, and strategies you used to fix the problem.

I've asked an accountant and a former attorney for references, but haven't found an affordable attorney who specializes in contracts.

2nd Graduate - Duane Knight

As a Funeral Photographer, besides funeral directors and funeral homes, how can I get the word out there about my business directly to families before they need me?

Tell us what you've done to fix the problem.

again be specific about the steps, tools, and strategies you used to fix the problem.

Work directly with funeral directors and funeral homes.

3rd Graduate - Raquel Maysonet Sigler

Advantage U is an educational consulting service for families and students engaged in the college application process. Our challenge has been getting the word out to our target market - families with high school-aged students seeking to apply to college.

Tell us what you've done to fix the problem.

again be specific about the steps, tools, and strategies you used to fix the problem.

AU needs assistance in identifying marketing options to help draw in potential clients. . I have offered free seminars and webinars but have not gotten the numbers I was hoping for.

4th Graduate - Shan Jayakumar

I have been having an issue with a building contractor hired to do repairs on an exterior Shed following a storm. I am now deciding whether to terminate the contract with him and hire a new vendor, with my Client already having paid him a substantial deposit. I, therefore, need some legal advice on how to proceed.

The issues with this contractor have been:

1) Work Progress: Having signed agreements with him on February 5, 2021, over two months ago, and paying him a deposit, we have seen limited progress on the repairs. After weeks of requesting him to commence work, he began work on March 15, 2021, and then did not return to the site. After additional requests to resume work, he returned on March 26. We have seen little progress since.

2) Site Conditions: Despite repeated requests to carefully weatherize the structure when not working, specifically putting a tarp over the entirety of the roof structure, he has left significant gaps in the roof that have allowed water infiltration, causing more damage.

3) Materials: It remains unclear, despite repeated requests for confirmation, if he has ordered all the specified materials, some of which may have longer lead times for delivery.

4) Damages: On March 26, 2021, he requested to use an electrical outlet from the Client's house for his power tools, tripping the circuit breaker. (The project is an exterior Shed, so not directly connected to the house.) This shows a lack of preparation in his work and cares appropriate to the project. He knew the electrical supply to the Shed was non-functional and, prior to starting the project, never mentioned the need for the Client to supply you with electrical power. If he had known the circuit was tripped, he should have notified us immediately, rather than having us find out incidentally. We also do not find acceptable his newly stated charge of $50 per day to furnish his own power, something that was never mentioned prior to agreeing to this project. All this is in addition to the water damage stated above from not appropriately weatherizing the Shed.

5) Certificates: To ensure appropriate workplace safety and insurance coverage, I have repeatedly asked him for copies of his certificate of general liability insurance and any attestations of workers comp by his associates or subcontractors. To date, he has only furnished a payment transaction with his insurance carrier that just has some basic information.

Tell us what you've done to fix the problem.

again be specific about the steps, tools, and strategies you used to fix the problem.

I have sent an email to the contractor expressing my concerns. I have sought pricing for the job from replacement vendors. I have contacted the Attorney General's consumer complaint office for counsel.