Leading With Values. Lessons From 12 Years of Business Ownership
As I step into 2026, I am marking almost 13 years of business ownership. That span includes different seasons, different versions of myself, and more lessons than any single year could teach. Longevity has a way of stripping away performative leadership and replacing it with what actually works.
What has remained consistent over those twelve years is the importance of alignment. When personal values and business strategy move together, decisions become clearer and leadership becomes steadier. When they drift apart, friction shows up everywhere.
One of the most important lessons I learned early, and had to relearn often, is the value of vulnerability. Sharing real experiences creates space for collaboration and trust. Clients and partners do not need perfection. They need honesty and clarity. Vulnerability, when paired with competence, strengthens credibility rather than weakening it.
Resilience is another muscle that twelve years will force you to build. Challenges are not interruptions to the work. They are part of the work. Over time, I learned to stop reacting and start responding. Values became the filter. When decisions felt heavy, returning to core principles made the path forward more obvious.
Genuine connection has proven to be one of the most durable business strategies I have encountered. Transactions come and go, but trust compounds. When clients feel respected, heard, and supported, relationships extend beyond documents and deliverables. That trust is what sustains a practice through changing markets and shifting priorities.
Adaptation has also been nonnegotiable. Client needs evolve. Industries change. The law changes. Remaining flexible without abandoning core values is what allows a business to stay relevant. Innovation does not require abandoning structure. It requires the willingness to reassess what still serves its purpose.
Empathy has shaped how I lead more than any technical skill. Law is personal, even when it appears transactional. Understanding the human weight behind legal decisions builds stronger relationships and long-term loyalty. People remember how you guided them through uncertainty.
At Law Rooted, the goal has always been to provide more than legal services. The practice is built to be a steady, supportive space for entrepreneurs, professionals, and families navigating business formation, estate planning, and long-term planning. These lessons have shaped not only client relationships but also the culture of the firm.
Twelve years in business has taught me that success is rarely loud. It is consistent. It is values-driven. And it is built intentionally over time.
What lessons has longevity taught you in your work?