Founder Interview With Nik Sallie, Tastemakers Legal
Photo Credit: Tastemakers Legal | Mural by Albert Gonzales
Nik Sallie is the Founder of Tastemakers Legal, a boutique trademark law firm dedicated to empowering innovative small businesses, particularly those from underrepresented communities, through trademark ownership. Launched in 2021, Nik established the firm to help visionary founders, including women, BIPOC, and queer professionals, own, protect, and profit from their intellectual property. With over 13 years of experience in IP law and 20 years of experience in marketing, she brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her practice.
During our interview, Nik shared her journey from working at EMI to earning her JD in intellectual property law and then spending over a decade at Facebook. She discussed her transition to running Tastemakers Legal full-time, focusing on clients who align with her values and maintaining healthy business boundaries. Nik's dedication to helping clients monetize their IP and build generational wealth was evident as she highlighted the importance of emotional intelligence and progress in her professional relationships. Let’s jump right in!
Can you walk us through your professional journey and how you got to where you are today?
I started my career at EMI as the marketing rep for Dallas Fort Worth. I wanted to help musicians beyond hanging up posters and making sure they were taken care of while touring through Dallas, which sparked the idea of becoming an attorney. So, I went to law school in Fort Worth, Texas, and earned my JD with a certification in intellectual property law. After that, I worked at Facebook for over a decade, serving as a founding member of the Intellectual Property Operations Team. I handled over 4,000 cases, drafted policies, and managed quality control for the contractor workforce.
Next, I transitioned to Global Marketing Solutions at Facebook, serving as the department’s first Healthcare Account Manager. I managed and generated, on average, eight figures in ad revenue per quarter while helping the team grow to 18 people in about 18 months. During my tenure, I generated over $100 million in my book of business and advised major healthcare companies on their advertising strategies, including UnitedHealthcare, BetterHelp, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Anthem.
In June 2021, I left Facebook to run my law firm, Tastemakers Legal, full-time. Now, as an award-winning Intellectual Property attorney in Austin, Texas, I provide trademark services to visionaries to help them own, protect, and profit from their IP. I focus on women, BIPOC, and queer founders, and my global clientele includes C-Suite executives and leaders from institutions such as Harvard Business Publishing, Visa, and Meta Platforms.
I've also been honored as an Austin Monthly Top Lawyer and a Woman to Watch by Austin Woman Magazine. In addition to my legal practice, business and brand consulting, I'm a Master Reiki Healer, professional tarot card reader, and supper club founder.
Photo Credit: Tastemakers Legal
What inspired you to offer the services you provide?
I think it's very interesting that we live our lives interacting with manifested ideas. Everything we experience, from cell phones, to tea mugs to books, started as an idea in someone's mind. Intellectual property is everywhere and worth protecting. Additionally, marginalized communities are often at the forefront of innovation, and yet their IP is exploited and monetized by others with no compensation. I offer trademark filing and registration as a way for visionaries to monetize their IP as an additional revenue stream and build generational wealth.
➡ Wondering if it's time to trademark your business? Take Nik’s Trademark Readiness Quiz here.
What is one of the biggest challenges you have faced in your journey as a service provider, and how did you overcome it?
One lesson I’ve had to unlearn is that the “customer is always right.” The intention is to motivate businesses to constantly provide excellent customer service, which should already be a priority. However, without appropriate policies, business owners can be left open to liabilities and unnecessary challenges that negatively impact revenue and morale. For example, in the past, I offered free consultations and eventually saw an uptick in no-shows. On the backend, I spent time researching and prepping for the call to ensure I provided the best support and guidance with the hopes of converting the caller into a client.
As a result, I created a new policy where I have educational content within my email newsletter but no longer provide free consultations. I do not work for free, ever! I also do not allow people to rebook if they’re a no-show. Once I started charging for consultations, no-shows never happened again. Establishing business boundaries sets expectations, helps me provide better services, and protects revenue.
If you could give one piece of advice to future LGBTQ+ service providers within your field, what would it be?
“Be sure about your why—why you're in business and for whom. Also, be clear about your business boundaries; not every client is ideal, and not all money is good money.”
For example, I've learned that how a client treats you before money is exchanged is how they'll treat you afterward, or worse. If a company is missing due dates or unresponsive, they'll likely remain a mess even after you get paid.
However, I don't seek perfection, but I do expect progress and emotional intelligence. For my mental health, I avoid working with companies that aren't willing to grow, listen, or improve. I also remind myself that there are clients who align with my values, pay in full, on time, and give glowing testimonials. Remembering this helps me hold my boundaries.
Photo Credit: Tastemakers Legal
How does being openly queer inspire or impact your business?
Authenticity and holistic living inspire my business. I truly bring my whole self to work and am proud of who I am. What’s the point of owning my own business if I can’t show up fully?! My hope is that I’m modeling deep self care for other professionals.
What brands or services by LGBTQ+ founders are your go-to's and why?
Two of my favorites include Dr. Stephane Louis, a Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in Texas, Florida, and New Jersey, and Courtney Alexander, the creator of Dust II Onyx, a melanated tarot deck..
Who is your favorite LGBTQ+ celebrity and why?
Brat and Jesseca Harris-Dupart, Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent, Jessica Betts and Niecy Nash, because these couples generally radiate unapologetic, healthy, loving relationships.
Share one fun or unusual fact about yourself.
I do trademarks AND tarot. Yes, I'm a professional tarot reader to founders, executives and professionals. I provide these services through my spiritual business consulting firm, Malachite & Moon Consulting, LLC. I also started a supper club in Austin, TX to help visionaries build authentic connections and meaningful community over delicious food and deep conversation.
