Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andrea Miles. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Andrea, appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being a business owner force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
Stepping out and running my law practice has been the best decision I have ever made. I am much happier as a solo practitioner than I ever was as an associate in a law firm. Being a business owner has its ups and downs. You have really good days and months, but you also have bad days and months. When you’re on your own, you have to take the good with the bad and make sure you remain positive because it can be tough to maintain a business and your mental health. I’d be lying if I said I have never fought the urge to close my doors and run back to the safety net of being an employee. I have had to talk myself out of closing my doors on numerous occasions. I even accepted a position at a pretty well-known firm this past summer. I prayed hard about my decision and, at the last minute, decided that I could not serve my purpose if I took the position. My purpose has been my driving force through the good and the bad. I read a quote that said, “Knowing your purpose is the first step in living a conscious life.” And that is my goal, to live consciously and serve my purpose. The pandemic has been hard for all of us. Especially those who are self-employed like me. That first year of the pandemic was a weird time to navigate for our small businesses. I went through many changes, including a change in dynamic with my practice. I went from a partnership to solo after deciding not to take the position I was offered. This change in a bizarre time required a significant adjustment, and I had to do so quickly. My anxiety was at an all-time high because there was a lot of uncertainty with my career during a time when everything in life seemed uncertain. But I pressed on, and I am getting to a really good place with my new business. What I have learned through this transition is the importance of balance. It does not matter how well my business is doing if my mental and physical health is not in order. So this time around, I have dedicated just as much time to myself as I have to my business. There are still days when I fall short, but I find ways to make up for it to stay on track to grow personally and professionally. Even with the rough patches, running my practice is the best decision I have ever made.

Andrea, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a Dallas native and graduate of Skyline High School. I received my Bachelors in Justice Administration from Rogers State University, where I was a student-athlete. After undergrad, I attended Texas A&M University School of Law for my Juris Doctorate, and I was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 2015. I opened my practice in 2017, and I have officed in Pleasant Grove for the last five years. In addition to my law practice, I founded Flex Volleyball Club in 2019, serving as Club Director and a coach. I am also co-owner of Dream Events and began hosting events in Dallas with my partner in 2012. After a discussion with my department head in undergrad, I decided to become an attorney. I would sit and talk with her about the injustices we saw highlighted on the news, the lack of sufficient minority representation in the legal field, and the importance of the need for more women in the legal field. After one of our talks, she encouraged me to go to Law School. It seemed silly at the time only because the twenty-year-old me had not begun to think that big just yet. But, thanks to that conversation and her belief in me, and most importantly, the prayers and support of my family, I was able to get into law school and achieve a goal that seemed far beyond my reach thirteen years ago. My law practice’s main focuses are Personal Injury and Probate. I come into my clients’ lives at very vulnerable times; they have either been injured or lost a loved one. Patience and compassion are essential when dealing with my clients. Before law school, I came from a customer service background and carried that over into practice. People appreciate good customer service, and I feel that my commitment to customer service and connecting with my clients sets me apart.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
NETWORKING! I love connecting with people. I am the person who people call daily and say, “hey do you know someone who can…” and most times, my answer is yes. Networking has been critical in my success. It has allowed me to create relationships with people who have helped my business grow in a short time. I learned the importance of networking years ago from my Aunt Gail. She told me to always leave with a business card. I have a box full of business cards that I have collected over the years, and it has proven very useful on many occasions. Meeting people is one thing. Fostering the relationships after the meeting is the essential part. I try to make myself available for lunches and phone calls to foster relationships with people as often as possible. The goal of these relationships is to help each other grow. And I am very appreciative of all the incredible businessmen and women I have encountered on this journey.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Word of mouth. I have never done any formal advertising outside of a logo and a Facebook ad when I can remember to run one. Most of my clients come from a previous client, colleague, or friend. I have been very blessed to grow my business this way. I also know the importance of advertising my business, so this year’s goal is to put more effort into traditional advertising.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @mileslawgroup, @jazziedrea_esq
• Facebook: @mlginjuryattorneys
• Twitter: @jazziedrea14

Image Credits
Christmas Tree Jubilee hosted by Miles Law Group, Titans Legal and Bober Law Miles Law Group promo shot.