Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jacinta Gallant, founder and president of Innovation for Lawyers, located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We create resources for lawyers who are sick of the traditional way of doing things - who want to do law differently! Our resources are focused on preparing the client so that lawyers can deliver highly valued services that can't be done by a "bot"!
Tell us about yourself
As a litigation lawyer, I got sick of using my talent and energy to fight other people's battles. I began to despise battlefield metaphors (the adversarial legal system has many). I needed to "detoxify my practice" so I could enjoy going to work again. I stopped doing law work on Tuesdays and devoted that time to discovering new ways of doing and being. I was lucky that a mentor and teacher appeared when I was ready! Learning the Insight Approach to Conflict transformed my practice and my life, and led me to create Innovation for Lawyers - to help other lawyers enjoy going to work again! Having a business that is grounded in learning and discovering - that makes me happy.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Biggest accomplishment - figuring out who my ideal customers are - and there are some important differences even in the "ideal" group - and developing the "pitch" that speaks to their various ways of working and being. After two years in start-up, we made sales, but not at the scale we wanted. Being open to learning from the challenges, the failures, and the accolades is my proudest accomplishment. And to have achieved this with a small but highly effective team makes it all the better.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Self-doubt, which was surprisingly new to me. I have been lucky to have strong self-esteem in my life so far. But putting myself out there with new and innovative products - and then "selling" - that was terrifying! I was never so unsure of myself. Now that we have figured out our ideal customer, I have way more confidence. This confidence has grown within our team, and - happily - dealing with the hardest thing has led to more creativity in designing new products, so there's that! (We decided in June that we needed a moratorium on great new ideas - so we had to contain ourselves until September. I wrote my ideas on sticky notes, in secret!)
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
If you can, hire a consultant for the parts that are not in your area of "ease." For me, that meant a business consultant who could build the structure and help with the financial forecasts so that I could focus on the creative parts while running a law firm and start-up. Hire professional marketing, brand, and design people. I know of so many talented entrepreneurs who are spending time learning to build websites and work with design software. Once the professionals do their expert work, there are many things you can take on "in-house" - but don't underestimate the value of marketing, design, and brand professionals. Connect with other entrepreneurs - especially women! Be ok to be ambitious. Create guiding principles that you can go back to ensure your decisions align with your values.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Being an entrepreneur takes courage and conviction. Make sure to bring the love, though.
Where can people find you and your business?
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.
