Three years ago today, I jumped off a professional cliff. In the middle of the pandemic, I started Sawyer Injury Law on July 1, 2021. I rented a 10 x 10 room, brought a fold out card table to the office, and put my laptop on it. Then I got to work. While the furniture may have changed since then, my dedication to clients, referral sources, and mastering the art of personal injury law has not changed at all. What have I learned in those three years? Here’s what came to mind this morning: 1. Owning a business means you’ll make mistakes. You’ll spend time and money on things that you realize later you shouldn’t have. Own the mistake, learn, and move on. 2. Practice self-care. Know your limits. Don’t be the person who posts about taking a laptop to Tahiti. The best lawyers I know are the ones you know when to shut down. 3. Follow through. There’s no better form of customer service than doing exactly what you said you would do, doing it on time. 4. You will have to spend money to make money in business, but you will go broke if you spend all of your money and get no business. There is no lack of people who will tell you that your business will suck until you hand them money. Do your homework when hiring anyone to help you. Hold them accountable after that. It’s easy to hand over money; getting a result out of that is another issue.
Congrats, Norm! And I love the firm name!
This is refreshing and motivating. I left the DAs office in January and I took my years of criminal investigation experience that I’ve gained at the federal, state, and local levels and I opened my company, Lerner Consulting LLC. We are a veteran owned small business, licensed and insured private detective company and we specialize in litigation support. The first year, I hear, is the scariest; however, reading your post lets the light shine in a bit more! Thanks for sharing. Please consider my company for any investigative needs!
I agree Norm, I'm sick of hearing we can do this or that. As long as you pay us first... and we can't tell you how long it will take... For just once I'd like to see someone say... here we already did the work and these are the results... and it took less than 30 days. ☺
Congratulations! looking back over the last 3 years, I see that there is some stuff you might have done differently. In hindsight, would you do it again?
Absolutely agree! Employees are the backbone of any business, making thorough vetting and accountability in the hiring process essential.
July 6, 1988.......and I'm still standing! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHwVBirqD2s
Amazing Story. Congratulations.
36 years since took leap. Your words are TRUE and wise counsel.
Head Equipment Manager at Drexel University
2moWhen I say Three, you say Years. Three.