Sandy Van has a busy personal injury law firm… a real estate business… and a company providing virtual legal services. How does she find time in the day to do it all – and balance a home life? She reveals how she’s used delegation to maximize her time and abilities… while letting others run with projects they’re better at. How do you know what to focus on? Sandy says there’s one defining characteristic of your must-do tasks… and those you pass on to your team. She also talks about how she put the right people in place to be able to take on a CEO role at each of her businesses… while others keep things running smoothly day-to-day. Tune in to discover…A 4-step hiring process to find the best candidates for the specific jobSecrets for creating a cohesive and productive teamThe danger of getting bogged down in the day-to-day of your businessKnowing when to hire – and fire – employeesLife-changing guidance on how to start and run a business or businesses that will be not only lucrative but fun

You wear many hats when you start your own law firm, and it’s easy to get so caught up in the day-to-day business of taking care of others that you forget to take care of yourself. Chavelys Alers of the Alers Law Firm has found a way to fix that for herself. As a solo lawyer with her own practice, Chavelys says one key to her success has been learning to schedule frequent vacation breaks—as well as a team and systems that keep the firm running smoothly in her absence. “You can’t do it all yourself,” she says, so she’s found ways to hire and train the right people so that she doesn’t have to. On this episode of The Solo to CEO podcast, we also discuss… The reason she works almost exclusively with the Hispanic communityThe #1 challenge facing women entrepreneursWhy successful business partnerships aren’t just about teamworkThe “time bomb” one of your employees is holding right nowWays to alleviate stress in an inherently stressful profession

Leslie Stewart’s law firm business boomed when the foreclosure crisis hit its peak in Florida. But she knew the day would come when--like all crises, this one, too, would wind down, and at that point, she'd need a better business model.Sustainable businesses, she says, must learn to be nimble. So she prepared. Today, the Appearance Network provides local counsel appearance coverage for law firms throughout the U.S., but with more efficiency and profitability than ever.We talk about what key changes she made to make it happen… including her number one secret weapon.Tune in to find out…How she differentiates her practice in a crowded marketplaceWhy perfection can cost just as much as mistakesStrategies for staying in a constant state of improvement Ways to recognize your weaknesses – and balance them with your strengthsAnd more

When Sarah Jacobs first met her future business partner it wasn't particularly love it first sight. In fact, they represented opposing parties in court. Soon, however, they found themselves spending hours together negotiating the case, and developed a respect and friendship that long outlasted the matter at hand. Today, they run a very successful law firm, guiding countless others through rocky relationships.On this episode, we delve into how the work they've done together to improve their own business relationship has impacted their ability to better serve their clients. We also discuss:Why disagreements often help you get to the right decisions, as long as you approach the problem with a certain attitude.How to recognize when you need dramatic change in your company - and when you need help to get through it.The challenges that come out of hiring a team – and managing a group of different personalities.The data you need to run your business that you might be ignoring.And so much more.

Felicia Bunbury, founder of The FAB Law Firm, is selective about the clients she takes on. In fact, she rejects potential business all the time, she says, sometimes even "scaring away" unsuitable clients she knows won't be a good fit for her firm.It’s just one of the aspects of her non-traditional firm that makes it unique. We talk about this philosophy and others that make this self-described unicorn lawyer different but effective for the clients she does work with from her 100% virtual office in Florida and New York.And we discuss how she's been profitable since day one.We delve into...Her business first, law firm second attitude Why too many lawyers sell themselves short – and don’t even realize it How she uses her branding to attract ideal, high quality clients A vital skill most lawyers are missing – it’s something they don’t teach in law schoolAnd more

These days, Heather Keith, founder of Keith Family Law, has a thriving practice with a growing support team. But her leap from solo to CEO wasn’t always a smooth transition. Heather shares the biggest fear she had to overcome when building the business beyond herself, how the solution she came up with allows the firm to run without her involvement in day-to-day details, and what she does with her time and energy instead. We also delve into...Her #1 warning to up-and-coming business ownersWhy many attorneys are scared to talk about money – and how it can sabotage your businessA hobby that helps her stay balanced in her life – but also benefits her career in unexpected waysHow saying no to certain clients can actually grow your business even fasterAnd more

As CEO of New Direction Family Law, Elizabeth Stephenson is passionate about helping families facing tough times come out the other end stronger and safer. Perhaps, it's because she's always been passionate about helping children and families, as far back as her early days in social work. More likely, it's because she's had her own share of struggles to rebuild her life following loss.But this isn't the first time she's built a successful law firm, so when she chose to start anew, she chose a different approach. Where once she would have struggled by herself to bear the full burden of her cases, landing new clients, and the day-to-day operations of the firm, now she is older and wiser.In this episode, Stephenson talks about how trusting others to help her made all the difference in the growth of her firm, and how it, ultimately, increased her personal fulfillment.Tune in to find out…How social media has transformed her marketing efforts – but in-person networking remains keyA strategy to figure out the right marketing mix (it’s different for every firm)An unlikely source of referrals you might be missingWays investing in the community can yield huge returns in your businessAnd more

Shortly after Anila Rasul chose to leave Big Law and go Solo, she also found out she was pregnant with her first child. "There was no turning back then," she says. So, she embraced the challenge with gusto, which she says was the only way to go about it. "There was never a Plan B."We discuss those challenges and the growth of ASR Law Firm, including how now having her team has allowed her to focus on two key things to continue to grow the business, as well as…The hardest – but most valuable – lessons she learned in her first year as a soloKey systems and processes that have streamlined operations – and kept clients happyThe first tasks she offloaded to her team – and what she focused on insteadWhat motivated her to go out on her own – and keeps her going to this dayAnd more

What does success look like? Laura Arcaro, founder and CEO of The Arcaro Law Group, discovered her vision of success might look different than someone else's and she's more than okay with that. She's in love with the life and business she's created, practicing marital and family law while prioritizing her own family and personal passions.Growing her business hasn’t always been easy, but putting certain elements in place has kept her moving forward at the pace she prefers. We talk about hiring, setting a schedule that works for you (and how to do it), the importance of preparing for the unknowable, and much more.Listen in to learn about…Ways to control your schedule – and setting your priorities is just the first stepPreparing for challenges you could never anticipateA specialty that has fulfilled her personally – and yielded heartwarming resultsWhy risk is a necessary part of any business – and how to deal with itAnd that’s just the start…

Each time Tara Brown's husband transferred to a new state with his job, she pushed the restart button on her law practice. And she did so successfully, despite being a self-described “introvert.” She shares her networking secrets, as well as how to spot clients you should never work with. We also talk about…Providing personalized service for each client – and how it leads to repeat businessHow to avoid the most difficult – and least appreciative – clientsThe two biggest benefits of hiring an associate attorney as soon as you canThe secret to overcoming your fear of growing your practiceAnd much more

Pamela Martini became a lawyer later in life… but she’s approached her new career with gusto, applying many of the things she learned as a long-time entrepreneur to her practice.A law firm is a business, after all. But, says Pamela, there are many ways it’s a different animal. We talk about how she grew her practice from a solo practice to the successful law firm it is today, as well as…The biggest challenges of being your own boss – and how to overcome themAn unexpected resource for mentors you needHow to leverage technology to serve more clientsThe key differences between part-time and full-time employeesAnd more

There’s a certain comfort in being a solo attorney. You’re intimately involved in every aspect of your business… you have total control. 
But, says Jaclyn Roberson, staying solo means you won’t be able to grow your practice beyond a certain point. Only when you start hiring can you boost revenue and expand your impact. And you can’t stop at support staff.Jaclyn shares how she made her first hires, and then finally, her most challenging hires--other attorneys--and what she learned along the way, as well as…The best way to attract – and keep – your most valuable employeesTwo services you can use until you can find the right full-time employeeWhat must be in your job listing – and the best place to post itThe way many small businesses sabotage employee retentionAnd more

Many small business owners think they don’t need legal help until they’re facing a lawsuit or some other major legal issue. In fact, says Ayesha Chidolue, it should be part of their budget from day one… when the business is just an idea.If you can't afford to consult with a lawyer at the outset to make sure you are doing it right, she says, perhaps you aren't ready to own a business.We also talk about the challenges of starting a solo law firm and setting it up for future growth when moving to a totally new community where you have no connections.Listen in to discover…The simplest – and most effective – ways to protect your intellectual propertyWhy hiring a local attorney is better than using an online service for your legal needsThe 70/30 strategy for balancing work and family lifeHow to create a mastermind group – and who should be in itAnd more

Dalyla Santos-Furman's father instilled a passion in her to speak up for others who can’t speak for themselves. And that’s what inspired her to become an attorney after emigrating from Cuba as a teenager.She’s had experience in bankruptcy, foreclosure, immigration, and more. And these days she’s just where she wants to be: with her own law firm, working closely – and getting to know – the clients she’s helping directly.She talks about what it takes to go out on your own with a growing family, as well as ...The challenges of partnerships – and what to do when it doesn’t work outThe one person you need to help guide you when starting out4 things you must have first when starting a solo firmHow to diversify your law practice – and when it makes senseAnd more

Attorney Autumn Beck Blackledge specializes in family law and divorce but has a totally different mindset than most in that field. She is focused on helping families through the divorce transition in a way that reduces animosity as much as possible for the best interests of the children. This allows adults to make peace with the past, move on with their lives, and be effective co-parents. She lives this example in her own life with her own big, blended family. We talk about how divorce, done right, can be a good thing, as well as… A scheduling strategy for balancing career and parenthoodGetting rid of “mommy guilt”The multi-step intake process to find your ideal clientsA weekly plan that boosts productivity and maximizes family timeAnd more

You might think stress and overwhelm are causing you to struggle in your business, whether it’s with your employee relationships, sales, or any other aspect. But the real source, says business therapist Nicole Lewis-Keeber, could be an experience that happened years… even decades… ago.Nicole explains why past events can cause a pattern of self-sabotaging behavior that impacts your ability to create a successful venture. She shares tools to recognize how these events could be affecting you in ways you’d never expect and what you must do to run a business you love so it can grow by leaps and bounds.We also talk about…The difference between selling things… and selling yourselfWhy charging “what you're worth” is the wrong philosophyThe only way modifying your mindset can create lasting changeHow to truly trust yourself and your employees – and your clientsAnd more

Many business owners take the wrong approach when it comes to hiring, says Molly McGrath of Hiring and Empowering. And when it comes to creating a cohesive team… they miss the mark too.Molly shares how to find the right employees for your business starting from the initial interview, as well as the structure and processes you must have in place so they recognize and act on opportunities… and become vehicles for growth.We also talk about…The single weekly appointment you must keep to improve your teamWhy every employee should have a CEO mindsetThe better alternative to annual reviewsWhy skills and knowledge only go so farAnd more

Leigh K. Fletcher is an attorney dealing with tricky land use and environmental issues… but so much more. She runs two other very distinct businesses, including one in the Virgin Islands and one in the U.S. that is actually designed to inspire and provide practical tools for other businesses to succeed.We talk about how she manages it all and how the experience actually energizes her every day.Check out our conversation to find out about…A free training program every small business owner should go throughThe ultimate networking location in your communityAn unexpected place to find valuable – and low cost – resources for your businessA new type of co-worker you didn’t know you neededAnd more…

Podcasting has taken the marketing world by storm in the last several years. But most business owners go about it all wrong, says Steve Gordon of The Unstoppable CEO. He says the real value of a podcast – in terms of getting more clients and customers – is not in the number of downloads you get. Steve talks about the real reason you should be podcasting, how you’ll profit as a result, and why the size of your audience is only a side benefit. We also cover…The first thing you must do before you ever speak to your prospects What really drives marketing success (hint: it’s not creativity)When repelling potential clients is a good thingThe ideal podcast guest – it’s the same for everybodyAnd much more…

What would happen if you couldn’t make it to work for a week? Would your practice completely collapse?For too many lawyers that’s exactly what would happen, says outsourcing strategist Dina Eisenberg. It’s because their business simply can’t function without them. It’s a recipe for overwhelm and overwork, with impact on your physical and mental health.You don’t have to tough it out. Dina shares her strategies to ensure that you can build your practice and make more money… while working less. Listen in to find out…The worst place to find freelance talent – and the platforms to use insteadThe biggest – but least obvious – obstacle to growing your businessThe one task a lawyer should never doThe most powerful automation tools available todayAnd more

You’re ready to start your business. You have the perfect name, slogan, logo… now it’s time to set up your Facebook page, website, print up business cards… in other words, get your name out there. Not so fast, says intellectual property attorney Kimra Major-Morris. Trademark law is much more complicated than you might think and could completely derail your startup if you’re not careful.Kimra has tips for avoiding that fate, as well as the steps you must take to protect your copyrights and to make sure you don’t violate those of others.We talk legal stuff but also plenty about balancing family life and growing your business, how to find ideal clients, and much more. Tune in to find out…How to be effective with a 24/7 virtual businessYour biggest responsibility as a business ownerThe importance of self-care for entrepreneursAn unexpected – and creative – way to grow your professional networkHow social media and the internet have completely changed trademark and copyright lawAnd more…