As Maya Angelou said, “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” That’s the kind of success I wanted — not the kind with a dollar sign attached, but the kind that makes you love your work.
Five years ago, I took a leap of faith and launched DMC Law, LLC. I was terrified. I had doubts (lots of doubts). I worried that I may fail, but I did it anyway. And I’m glad I did.
Like many lawyers, I am, by my very nature, risk averse. Risk aversion is not a great quality for an entrepreneur. But fortunately, I had other factors working in my favor including an incredibly supportive spouse, strong relationships from years of practicing, a solid network of other small-firm owners and a compelling “why.”
Finding My “Why”
Before I dove into building a practice, I read Simon Sinek’s book “Start with Why.” Sinek’s advice to start with purpose resonated. My “why” was clear: to be a happier lawyer by practicing law in a way that aligns with my values, interests, and priorities.
Sounds great, right? But how? I figured that if I focused on the following action items, it would be a good start:
- Do work I love and do it well
- Be a trusted advisor who provides practical advice
- Collaborate with skilled, like-minded lawyers
- Be generous with my time for causes that matter
- Never stop learning
And, so far, it’s working. But, of course, these are not the only ingredients in my recipe for success.
Gratitude for The Support of Others
I could not do what I do without my incredible wife, Jennifer, whose belief in me is unwavering and whose support with day-to-day challenges is key; my colleague, Tracy Guarnieri, who shares my values and makes every workday better; and our amazing clients, who trust us to guide them.
Thank you to anyone who has been a part of the DMC Law journey in anyway, including our clients, Behavior Health Clinician and HIPAA Helpline Communities, newsletter subscribers, and bar association colleagues as well as family and friends. I am so grateful for you all.
Here’s to another great 5 years!