The Online Business Boom Created Opportunity, And Legal Chaos

The Online Business Boom Created Opportunity, And Legal Chaos

Since 2020, the online business world has exploded. Overnight, people who never intended to become entrepreneurs found themselves running digital businesses. What began as adaptation quickly turned into opportunity, and in many cases, unexpected success.

But behind the glossy marketing and overnight growth stories sits a quieter reality. One that many business owners are only now beginning to face.

Legal complexity has caught up.

In this episode of the Born To Be Brilliant® podcast, I sat down with Jo Fisher, a lawyer specialising in online businesses, to explore what she’s seeing under the bonnet of the digital economy. And it’s eye opening.

Many online businesses were built quickly, without the infrastructure, contracts, or systems needed to support long term growth. People were selling, buying, and scaling at speed, often without understanding the responsibilities that come with operating a business, particularly in a business to business environment.

One of the biggest issues Jo highlighted is the blurred line between consumers and business buyers. Many people entering online programmes, courses, or coaching still see themselves as consumers rather than business owners in training. This affects how they behave, how they interpret contracts, and how disputes arise.

From the seller’s side, this creates enormous strain. Business owners invest time, money, and energy into creating robust contracts and processes, only to find those agreements ignored or challenged when expectations are not met.

And expectations are another key issue.

Marketing is designed to show possibility. But when possibility is mistaken for promise, disappointment can quickly turn into conflict. This is why transparency, clear terms, and honest communication are now more important than ever. Not to scare people away, but to protect both sides.

We also explored the growing role of AI in legal disputes. While AI can be an incredibly powerful tool, particularly when used responsibly and in collaboration with professionals, it is also contributing to court backlogs and misguided self representation. Knowing what to ask, what matters, and what actually strengthens a case still requires human expertise.

Perhaps the most important message from this conversation is that legal challenges are not a sign you’ve failed in business. They are often a sign you’ve grown.

Disputes, complaints, cash flow challenges, and contractual issues are part of entrepreneurship. The businesses that survive and thrive are not the ones who avoid these realities, but the ones who prepare for them.

Heart led business does not mean weak boundaries. Ethical leadership includes accountability, clarity, and systems that protect everyone involved.

This episode is a reminder that sustainable success is built on foundations, not just momentum.

You can listen to the full conversation on the Born To Be Brilliant® podcast, and if you are building an online business, I strongly recommend doing so with both heart and structure firmly in place.