From One to Eight: A Transparent Look at My Law Firm Ownership Journey

It all began with just ONE. With my back against the wall and no other option but to start my own firm to keep my "American Dream" alive. This journey has been nothing short of incredible, and I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.

The Power of One:

- One person (myself) to take the leap. COVID struck at a pivotal moment—right as I was about to graduate from law school. Job prospects were bleak, so I decided to add an MBA to my law degree. I was in a ‘lying flat (Tang Ping)’ state of mind, ready to give up. I gained weight and felt lost. But then, the idea of creating an opportunity for myself began to take root. I remember sitting on my bed with nothing but a laptop and a vision. It was daunting, but my inner fire burned brighter than my fears.

- One person (my significant other) who gave me the encouragement I needed to pursue my dream. Her words, "You've got this, I will always support you," echo in my mind whenever I face challenges. I’m fortunate to have her support and understanding, even as I sacrificed ‘our quality time’ during those initial years. My goal now is to delegate and elevate so we can spend more quality time together. I think about the business constantly—ALL THE TIME.

- One person (my mom) who provided some financial support, albeit reluctantly. She wanted me to lead a calm, steady life as an employee or professor. As a business owner herself, she’s experienced the highs and lows. Her wisdom—"Success isn’t just about hard work; it’s about resilience"—has kept me grounded. She started her own tutoring business two years out of college, working 18-20 hour days to save up capital to build her dream preschool/kindergarten, where she could provide education for me, my sister, and the community. Over the next 30+ years, she burned the candle at both ends. She didn’t want me to go through the same struggles, but she supported me nonetheless.

- One person (firm partner) who simply said, “Yes, let’s do it!” when I texted him in 2021 about starting a firm together. That simple "yes" was the spark that turned an idea into reality.

- One person (Director of Operations) who brought years of business experience to help us implement sound business practices. His advice, "Run your firm like a business, not just a practice," has been invaluable.

- One person (Director of First Impressions) whose voice brings comfort to stressed callers, helping them feel cared for. Her empathy has shown us that client care begins with the very first “Hello. Thank you for calling, how can we help?”

- One person (Director of Family Law) who saw the vision and joined us to help serve clients we previously couldn’t. His belief in our mission has strengthened our resolve.

- One person (Legal Assistant) who reached out to us through our contact form and turned out to be instrumental in improving our intake and sales process. Sometimes, talent finds you in the most unexpected ways.

Milestones and Metrics:

We’ve just signed two more full-time employees, set to start this month. It’s hard to believe that we’re about to become a team of eight in less than two years. I fully understand that team size isn’t the most important metric, but I’m grateful that we’ve earned our clients' trust, allowing us to scale. We’ve grown from 0 in 2022, to $155k in 2023, and are on track to reach $550k in 2024 (though net profit and revenue per employee need attention). However, as a young firm, we still have much to improve. My focus for the next phase of growth is on metrics that matter: cash flow, ROI, revenue per employee, net profit, and NPS.

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It’s Not All Fun and Games:?

I’ve made plenty of mistakes. Fortunately, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. I’ve hired people without a formal interview process, leading to quick turnovers. I’ve neglected our expenditures. I’ve overspent on marketing without tracking ROI. I’ve tried to do everything myself (still do, but I’m learning to delegate). I’ve struggled to narrow our focus, attempting to make the firm a general practice instead of specializing. I’ve run the race like a hamster in a wheel without a clear vision. I’ve failed to budget. And there are probably more mistakes I haven’t mentioned. Running your own firm isn’t all glory—it requires a lot of sacrifice and grinding. Some days, it feels like we take one step forward and two steps back. My perspective has changed, and now I’m enjoying this tremendous journey.

What I’ve Learned So Far:

- "Your team is your greatest asset. Invest in them."

- "Client trust is earned one interaction at a time."

- "Measure what matters, but never lose sight of your vision."

- “Abundance Mindset > Scarcity Mindset”

What’s Next?

In the next 6-18 months, I’m specifically looking for A-Player Attorneys with a deep passion for the following practice areas and a willingness to embrace leadership roles in Immigration Law, Estate Planning, Civil Litigation, and maybe PI. Here’s to the next chapter of our journey! ??

#Growth #LegalFirm #Teamwork #Leadership #AmericanDream