This story is part of our 1,000 stories campaign. What’s your story?
Name: Genavieve Shingle
Business: Genavieve Shingle Law, a law firm for entrepreneurs
Industry: Other — Legal
Location: New York, New York, U.S.
Reason for starting: I was unhappily working at a corporate law firm and didn’t feel like I was really helping anyone. My girlfriend is also an entrepreneur and I was meeting all of these young women who have their own businesses but had no legal support. There was a huge void in accessibility to an affordable attorney for these young entrepreneurs who really want to change the face of our society. So I packed up my office and started my own practice to help others make a difference.
Related: Read about another law entrepreneur here.
How do you define success? Success to me means that I am able to live a life that I love while helping others achieve their dreams and goals. The motto of my firm is: “Love yourself. Love your business.” I am really approaching law from a very different way. I am coming from a place of love and support. To call myself successful, I will have changed the negative stigma that lawyers have; more people would feel comfortable using an attorney, and as a result, more small businesses would be protected.
Biggest Success: My biggest success to date was actually getting this practice off the ground. People were very skeptical and I left a very nice six-figure paying job. My success is being able to maintain a steady income and finally feel happiness and joy again in my life and my work.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it? My initial challenge was actually leaving my old firm and taking the leap to entrepreneurship. I never thought that I could have my own business. I always thought it was for the brave and fearless; and in a lot of ways, it is. But with the right preparation, confidence, and support, I was able to jump. My girlfriend is a business coach so I had her support and guidance in creating a business plan and really structuring my business. I could not have done it without her and other coaches.
Related: Read more a coaching entrepreneur here.
Who is your most important role model? My mom. She has had a difficult life – losing her brother, mom and dad within a five year span in her early 20’s and having to raise her younger brother. But she views everything in life, especially the hard times, as a blessing. She is the most beautiful human inside and out and has taught me unconditional love, how to find joy in the worst of situations, and really, how to love myself.
[box_light]Website www.genavieveshingle.com
Twitter @genashingle
Facebook facebook.com/genavieveshinglelaw[/box_light]
Tell us your story!
Read about another entrepreneur here!
Edited by The Story Exchange