We recently connected with Venus Liles and have shared our conversation below.

Venus, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was leaving my comfortable, stable corporate job to pursue full-time entrepreneurship with my law firm, Liles Law.

I actually started the firm back in 2016 as a side hustle. At the time, I was working full-time as in-house counsel at a global software company. It was a great job by every external measure: steady income, supportive colleagues, a predictable path. But I had this growing sense that I wanted more ownership over my work and more connection to the kinds of clients I felt called to serve: early-stage entrepreneurs, especially female founders.

For years, I built the firm on the side on nights, weekends, and nap times. It allowed me to test the waters, refine my approach, and slowly grow a client base. But in 2024, I hit a tipping point. The demand for my services had grown…and so had my conviction. I realized I couldn’t keep straddling two worlds. If I really wanted to build something meaningful, I had to go all in.

Leaving my corporate job was terrifying. I had two young daughters, a mortgage, and a clear memory of just how many things can go wrong when you leap without a net. But I also had a vision: a law firm that operated with transparency and deep empathy for founders doing brave things.

It’s been the most rewarding risk I’ve ever taken. I’ve grown more in the last year than I had in the previous ten. The fear didn’t necessarily disappear, but it became fuel. And now I get to do work I love with clients I deeply respect, on my own terms.

Venus, 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’m Venus Liles, founder of Liles Law, a woman-owned, B Corp certified, carbon-neutral law firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. We provide flat-rate legal services for early-stage entrepreneurs: business formation, contracts, trademarks, and ongoing general counsel delivered with clarity, transparency, and a human touch.

I’ve worked inside a global tech company and supported scrappy startups, so I understand the legal needs and budget realities on both ends of the spectrum. That’s why I built Liles Law to fill a specific gap: high-quality, business-minded legal support that’s accessible, approachable, and aligned with the values of modern entrepreneurs.

We don’t bill by the hour. We don’t bury clients in legalese. We operate with flat-rate pricing, speak in plain English, and focus on solving real problems, like how to protect your brand, negotiate a contract that actually protects you, and set up your business structure in a way that positions you for growth.

What sets Liles Law apart is how intentional we are about everything, from our services to our systems to our impact. We’re proudly B Corp certified, which means we meet high standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. That matters to me, and it matters to the kinds of clients Liles Law attracts: people building businesses that reflect their values.

What I’m most proud of is how often my clients tell me, “I feel so relieved after talking you!” That feedback lights me up because it means I’m helping founders feel more confident, more informed, and more in control of their business journey.

If there’s one thing I’d want potential clients to know, it’s this: legal support doesn’t have to be intimidating. You deserve a lawyer who makes you feel empowered, not overwhelmed.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been focusing on the clients I already have rather than chasing new clients. I pour my energy into delivering an exceptional experience: clear communication, thoughtful legal advice, and support that feels personal, not transactional.

When clients feel truly cared for, they come back. Just as importantly, they refer others. Most of my new business comes from word-of-mouth of clients who felt seen, supported, and confident after working with me and want their friends or fellow founders to feel the same.

I don’t spend much time chasing leads or perfecting a sales funnel. Instead, I double down on making sure every client interaction is meaningful and helpful. I think that’s why my practice has grown so steadily and with such alignment. It may not be flashy, but it’s sustainable.

How did you build your audience on social media?

My audience has grown almost entirely on LinkedIn, which is the only social platform I use for my business. I chose to focus there because it felt like the most natural fit for my work with entrepreneurs, and because I value depth over distraction. Rather than trying to be everywhere, I wanted to show up consistently in one place and do it well.

I started by simply sharing what I knew in a “here’s something I think might be helpful” kind of way. I posted practical legal tips, startup insights, and behind-the-scenes reflections on building a business. Over time, I started weaving in more personal stories like the challenges of leaving corporate life, balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, resisting against hustle culture, or what it means to build a business with intention.

That mix of expertise and vulnerability really resonated. People don’t want to be sold to; they want to feel seen. And I think what’s helped most is that I write about the topics I naturally think about when I’m not working. I try to make legal content feel human, not heavy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.liles-law.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/venusliles