An Interview with Michelle Murphy: Lawyer to Small Businesses & Creatives

Name: Michelle Murphy
Location: Boca Raton, FL, USA
Business Name: Wilson Murphy Law
Established: 2019

Website + Instagram + Facebook + Twitter

WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS?

I am an attorney that legally protects small businesses, influencers, and bloggers. I primarily work with women who are creatives on trademarks, copyrights, and drafting various types of contracts associated with their businesses.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

I was inspired by my girlfriend who started her law firm and I saw how amazingly successful she has been. I knew that I wanted my own business one day, but seeing her going out and doing it was the jump start that I needed to pursue opening my own practice.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR INDUSTRY OR NICHE?

I chose this niche because I don't think creative entrepreneurs, influencers, or bloggers realize how much legality is associated with their industry. There are so many intellectual property elements, as well as, business elements associated with their business or brand, and they don't get the help they need until they get in trouble and it's going to cost 3 times what it would have cost to prevent the problem.

DO YOU DO THIS FULL TIME? IF YES, WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THIS? IF NO, WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO?

Yes, I do this full time. Prior to this, I was working at the Department of Justice.

DID YOU GO TO COLLEGE? IF SO, WHAT DID YOU STUDY?

Yes, I went to Florida State University (FSU) for my bachelors, and then Nova Southeastern University for law school. At FSU, I double majored in political science and psychology.

HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR? WHY OR WHY NOT?

I knew that I wanted to work on my own terms, but I just didn't know how. Last week, I was talking to my husband because I was taking some online quiz and I asked him a question that asked me something like, “on a scale of 1-10 , this applies to you, “You do what you want to do when you want to do it.” He said 10! Then he told me I was unmanageable. I gave him a look of shock because I consider myself a great worker, but then I sat back and was like “maybe you're right.” BUT I don't think I'm unmanageable, but I really hate bad managers. Most people are bad managers, in my opinion.

Another reason I wanted to be an entrepreneur is that I don't want to hit a salary ceiling. I'm all about the sky being the limit!

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST LESSONS YOU’VE LEARNED SINCE STARTING YOUR BUSINESS?

One of the biggest lessons I learned, is if you can't figure it out within a couple of hours, outsource it! You're just wasting time and you could be putting that time into other things that you know how to do which could be helping with growth.

WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU THE MOST ABOUT ENTREPRENEURSHIP?

Administrative tasks are a beast!

WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D GIVE TO ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS?

You'll never be ready, so just do it.

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH SETBACKS AND IMPOSTER SYNDROME?

I cry, and then move on! Sometimes, you just need to let it out, but then you have to pick yourself up and try again until it works or you have fixed the issue.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE THE MOST ABOUT BEING A CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR AND DOING WHAT YOU DO?

I love working with people who have a passion for what they do. You see so many people stuck in this mundane world of 9-5. Seeing people make money off of what they love to do is inspirational, and the fact that I can protect that passion is awesome.

IF YOU WEREN’T A CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?

Working for another attorney!

WHAT DOES SUCCESS MEAN TO YOU?

Success means making enough money to support myself, but also enjoying what I'm doing and the ability to give back and help others.

WHAT IS YOUR WHY?

I do what I do because if I don't, who else will? I want little black girls and boys to know that they can become whatever they want, and going to college and being smart isn't just for certain groups or ethnicities.

Also, I hate thieves and I think stealing is one of the lowest crimes you can commit. So if I can protect someone who has put their heart and soul into their business, why shouldn't I help them?

IMAGINE IT’S A YEAR FROM NOW AND YOU’RE CELEBRATING WHAT A GREAT YEAR IT WAS FOR YOUR BUSINESS. WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE ACHIEVED?

I have made more from business than I would have with my previous 9-5, I have traveled to two countries, I have helped my mom fix stuff around her house, and I have spent quality time with my husband. OH! I have added an assistant to my team!

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL/WHO DO YOU LOOK TO FOR INSPIRATION AND WHY?

I don't really have a role model. I like to take little pieces from everyone and try to improve on myself so that I can be a role model to someone else.

WHO HAVE BEEN THREE OF THE BIGGEST SUPPORTERS ON YOUR BUSINESS JOURNEY?

1. My girlfriend who started her firm
2. My husband
3. My mom, sometimes lol

WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO?

I like to hang out with my husband and watch The Office. That show is hilarious!

WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS AN INTROVERT OR AN EXTROVERT? HOW DO YOU THINK THAT IMPACTS YOUR BUSINESS?

I am most definitely an introvert. It affects my business because video is the new wave. However, I have taken small steps to post myself on IG stories and I will be doing a webinar soon.

WHEN DO YOU FEEL THE MOST PRODUCTIVE? ARE YOU AN EARLY BIRD OR A NIGHT OWL?

Early bird all the way! I usually can't stay up past 10 lol.

DO YOU HAVE TIPS FOR STAYING PRODUCTIVE WHILE WORKING FROM HOME?

Put yourself on a schedule. I make a schedule the night before on Google Calendar. I also use the Pomodoro app, “Focus Keeper”. You work for 25 straight minutes, then take 5 minutes off, and you can set how many rounds you want to do that. Then, after your set number of rounds, you take a big break (15 minutes).

FAVORITES

WHAT IS A BUSINESS TOOL YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?

Trello and Google Calendar.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR AFFIRMATION?

“Success is most often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable.”- Coco Chanel

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PODCAST?

My Favorite Murder

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BUSINESS OR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT BOOK?

You are a Bad Ass by Jen Sincero. I've always been into the law of attraction, but that book took it to another level.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BLOG?

I can't really think of one off the top of my head, but Think Creative Collective has some awesome posts for creative entrepreneurs.

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