Haslam College of Business - Kayla Moran’s Entrepreneurial Journey into Influencer Law

Kayla Moran (UT, ’22) knows first-hand how daunting the world of influencers can be. From new laws to changing trends, the creator economy is especially intimidating. To combat the confusion, Moran founded Kayla Moran Law, a firm for influencers and entrepreneurs in the creator economy that specializes in contracts and trademarks.

Photo by Danny Kandid

In 2020, Moran became interested in how brands use influencers as a marketing strategy. She wanted to see what it was all about, so she became an influencer herself while also a student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Law. In her first brand deal, she was given a contract with 20 pages of fine print. “I knew what the contract stated because I was in law school and had access to lawyers, but the average person would not have that access,” shared Moran. She identified the lack of law firms that saw the value in specializing in influencer law, so she became inspired to do something about it. “I realized that if I wanted to be in this space, I had to do it myself,” said Moran.

Launching a Specialized Law Firm

As an entrepreneur and lawyer in a relatively new space, Moran’s firm was often the subject of doubt. However, she received early support from two UT College of Law professors, Eric Amarante and Brian Krumm. “They supported my dream by helping me conduct research and build my credibility, and by letting me know that I had my finger on the pulse of something big,” she said.

Photo by Alex Spidle

Moran took the entrepreneurial leap of faith and officially launched Kayla Moran Law in November 2022. She differentiates her firm by its focus on being creator-first, and as a creator herself, she can better relate to her clients. Moran found success a few months after launching, feeling confident to leave her job and fully dedicate her time to Kayla Moran Law.

Looking forward, Moran plans to find clients and projects that inspire her. She’s excited to continue to grow her firm and help more influencers navigate the ever-changing landscape.

About the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

The Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, housed in the Haslam College of Business, is the front door to entrepreneurship at UT, connecting entrepreneurs and innovators at every stage with the resources, networks and expertise needed to solve real challenges. By cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset across campus, connecting entrepreneurs with resources and mentorship they need to grow and collaborating with the UT and regional ecosystem, the Anderson Center is developing an entrepreneurial culture where Volunteers are empowered to identify unmet needs and take bold action to create value through new ventures.

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CONTACT:

Brennan Hullett, brennan@utk.edu