Creative freedom is the ultimate goal in entrepreneurship. Think about it, how many of us would love to set our own path? To come up with an idea and run with it through production. Being your own boss allows you to decide where your focus goes, and set the direction for your business. While this career path is no walk in the park, the fulfilling rewards can help you overcome any challenges that may arise.
When an opportunity arose for Taylor Tieman to provide legal help to a friend who was opening a Pilates studio, Taylor realized she could use her legal background to better serve female business owners. Now Taylor is a wildly in-demand small business and brand advocate who supports Latina-owned businesses to become legally protected. She shares with us how becoming an entrepreneur gave her the independence and creative freedom she couldn’t have working at a law firm.
1. How did you get started in your industry? What led to your passion for your career?
I was working in law firms for almost four years after law school and just was not settling into any position really loving my job. At first I questioned whether or not I should even be in law, but then divine timing struck as a friend asked for legal help in opening her Pilates studio. I began taking on clients running businesses and as the saying goes, the rest was [beautiful and fulfilling] history!
2. What were some of the bigger challenges you experienced in getting started?
I went to law school, knew the laws, and could recite legal structure back and forth. However I had no idea how to run a business! I don’t have many (if at all) entrepreneurs in my close family or close friend group so I was essentially starting from scratch. I had to research so many hours and trial and error just like all new business owners - and even to this day, learning a new business skill or system is mostly fun but sometimes really difficult and can hold you back when all you want to do is help your clients.
3. How has your life changed now that you’re pursuing your passion and living your dream?
I’d love to say I have way more freedom - but I think that’s incorrect and misleading. Yes, I have a little bit more free time, but as entrepreneurs sometimes we’re working more (or less) than our 9-5 had us on the clock. I have a new type of freedom - that allows me to work on what I want, when I want to. I can pick and choose when I want to finish client work, or when I want to work on marketing - it allows me to be much more creative and contribute in a really passionate way.
4. What’s your favorite part about owning your own business/your career?
My clients. Hands down. They bring me so much joy and remind me every day that we all have a purpose, and mine is making the legal stuff easier for businesses to understand.
5. What does supporting women-owned businesses look like to you?
99% of my clients are female-owned businesses, and I can say that (even since my first client), being a friendly, accepting face to a business owner who may have their guard up for whatever reason is really important. As women I feel like we’re almost nervous to admit we don’t know how to do something because we’ve been viewed as inadequate or less than for so long (especially in the legal field, phew!) so when I am finally able to speak to a female business owner, we can connect and she/they really understand that I’m here to help, not judge them for what they do or do not already know about legal.
6. How has your brand/packaging/website changed or improved your business?
My website was up week #1. I was mentored by amazing attorneys in a group program I joined at the beginning of this journey who told me I had to have a website for trust purposes - and they were right. I spent probably 2-3 whole days DIY-ing my site (it's no masterpiece!) but I frequently get comments from Clients + other attorneys saying it seems really approachable, which was 100% my goal. Clients need to see a website because that’s their first impression of you!
You can follow Taylor on Instagram at @LegalMiga. Check out her website here.
Know of someone we should interview for our MoneyMak(her) series? Send us an email here.
