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

Alright, Brianna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Early in your career, how did you think through the decision of whether to start your own firm or join an established firm?

I didn’t take the traditional route of joining a firm and climbing the ladder. From the very beginning, my path was shaped by two things: a deep love for legal work and an even deeper reason waiting for me at home — my daughter.

When I was starting out, I could see how overwhelmed so many attorneys were, especially solo and small-firm lawyers. They were incredibly skilled, but buried in drafting, admin, and back-office work that pulled them away from actually practicing law. At the same time, I was gaining experience across multiple areas and realizing I didn’t want to be limited to one office, one practice style, or one rigid schedule.

I was also a mom trying to build a career that allowed me to be present. The traditional firm structure didn’t offer the flexibility or autonomy my life required. I didn’t want to choose between being there for my daughter and doing meaningful, high-level work — so instead, I built a path that allowed me to do both.

In the very beginning, I started as a freelancer. I took on small projects for attorneys who needed reliable drafting support and overflow help. One client turned into two, then five, then more through referrals. As the work grew, I made it official and obtained my business license as a sole proprietor. At that point, I still thought of it as “just me” helping law firms behind the scenes.

But the demand didn’t slow down — it exploded.

What started as freelance support quickly turned into a steady, growing caseload of attorneys who relied on me as part of their team. I realized I wasn’t just freelancing anymore — I was running a real business. That’s when I officially formed SMB Paralegal Services LLC and stepped fully into the role of business owner.

The name “SMB” makes the journey even more personal — they’re my daughter’s initials. Every email I send, every document I draft, and every relationship I build with a law firm carries her name. That creates a level of pride, accountability, and purpose that goes far beyond a typical business brand. I’m not just building a company; I’m building a reputation tied to the person who motivates me every single day.

Those early years were a mix of excitement and nonstop hustle. I was doing everything — legal drafting, learning new platforms, managing billing, creating workflows, handling client communication, and figuring out systems as I went. There were late nights, a lot of trial and error, and moments of uncertainty. There was no guaranteed paycheck, no safety net — just my determination to make it work.

But there was also an incredible sense of purpose. Building my own business meant I could be present for my daughter in ways a traditional job never would have allowed. I had more flexibility, more freedom, and the ability to create financial stability for our future. She is my driving force — the reason I show up every day ready to give my best.

Looking back, I can say without hesitation that it was the right decision.

Starting as a freelancer, growing into a sole proprietor, and eventually forming an LLC forced me to grow right alongside my business. It gave me the freedom my family needed, the professional variety I craved, and the chance to support attorneys nationwide in a meaningful way. It also allowed me to create opportunities for other legal professionals who want flexible, impactful work.

It wasn’t the easiest path — but it was the one that aligned with my life, my values, and the future I wanted to build for my daughter.

And knowing that her initials are on the company name still gives me chills.

Brianna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I didn’t grow up dreaming of working in the legal field. In fact, my career started somewhere completely different — long-term care. I spent nearly seven years working in healthcare, holding several roles including phlebotomist, certified nursing assistant, and eventually managing a physical rehabilitation unit from the administrative side.

But deep down, I knew something was missing.

I didn’t love my work. I watched my coworkers feel fulfilled and passionate, and I could tell I didn’t share that same spark. I wanted to wake up excited about what I did each day. At the time, though, I was 19 years old, a single mother with an infant, and I honestly thought “settling” was just part of the deal. Stability felt more realistic than passion.

Everything changed when my daughter turned one.

I had to go through the family court process to establish parenting time and child support, and it was one of the most stressful, overwhelming experiences of my life. I had no legal background, and every document felt like it was written in another language. The deadlines were intimidating, the stakes were high, and the fear of making a mistake was constant.

So I started researching.

I looked up legal terms, court procedures, and statutes, trying to understand what was happening in my own case. Somewhere in the middle of all that stress, something unexpected happened — I became fascinated. I actually enjoyed the research. I liked learning how the law worked. I found myself wanting to better understand the documents and collaborate with my attorney in a more informed way.

That curiosity changed everything.

I discovered that a local college offered an ABA-approved paralegal degree program. At first, I thought I’d enroll just to better understand my own legal situation. But the more I learned, the more I realized this wasn’t just helpful — it felt right. I took a leap of faith, left my job, and went back to school full time. My parents made huge sacrifices to help care for my daughter while I commuted to in-person classes every day.

I fell in love with the law.

I graduated early and made the Dean’s List every semester. Later, I continued my legal studies through Purdue University Global, where I earned a 4.0 GPA and made the Chancellor’s List — all while raising my daughter as a single mom. That season of my life was exhausting, but it was also the most empowering time I had ever experienced. For the first time, I wasn’t just surviving — I was building something.

Today, I’m the founder of SMB Paralegal Services LLC, where I provide high-level virtual paralegal and legal operations support to attorneys across the country. I help law firms with drafting, case management, document preparation, workflow organization, and behind-the-scenes systems that allow attorneys to focus on practicing law instead of drowning in administrative work.

What sets my work apart is that I don’t just “assist” — I think like part of the legal team. I understand deadlines, court procedures, client sensitivity, and the pressure attorneys face. I bring not only technical skill, but empathy and real-life perspective to the work.

I’m especially proud of the heart behind my brand. “SMB” are my daughter’s initials, and she is my driving force. Every piece of work that goes out under my company name carries her initials with it. Building my business has given me the flexibility to be present in her life, the freedom to design a career I love, and the ability to provide for her in ways I once only hoped for.

If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s this: you are not stuck.

Single moms, single dads, anyone feeling unfulfilled — you can change your path. Sometimes the most difficult seasons open the door to the life you’re meant to build. If you don’t love what you do right now, that doesn’t mean you never will. Keep going. Keep learning. Stay curious.

You never know which challenge will turn into your calling.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Honestly? The single best source of new clients for me has been cold email marketing — and that’s something I had to completely teach myself from scratch.

When I started my business, I didn’t have a marketing background, a big network, or a built-in audience. I had to figure out how to get in front of the right attorneys on my own. So I treated marketing the same way I treat legal work: I researched it, studied it, and learned by doing.

I took free courses through HubSpot to understand the basics of email marketing and lead generation. I spent hours watching tutorials on YouTube to learn how to create professional graphics and materials in Canva. I attended webinars and networking trainings through Alignable, especially when conversations around AI in business and automation were just starting to take off.

Through all of that learning, I discovered affordable tools that helped me build targeted email lists of attorneys who fit my ideal client profile. From there, I found platforms that allowed me to send thoughtful, personalized cold email campaigns at scale. It wasn’t about spamming people — it was about reaching the right firms with a clear message about how I could make their lives easier.

That strategy changed everything.

Today, I’d estimate that about 85% of my clients have come from cold email marketing. The remaining clients typically come through Instagram or word-of-mouth referrals from attorneys I’ve worked with. But cold email is what built the foundation. It gave me a predictable, scalable way to connect with law firms beyond my immediate circle.

What I’m most proud of is that none of this came from a formal marketing background — it came from curiosity, consistency, and a willingness to learn new skills outside my comfort zone. As a business owner, I realized early on that marketing isn’t optional; it’s part of the job. And once I embraced that, everything started to grow.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

Oh yes — I definitely have one of those stories. And it was a hard lesson, but one that ultimately made my business stronger.

Early on, I had an attorney client I worked very closely with. We had what felt like a great professional relationship — even a friendship. I was deeply integrated into her firm, supporting her cases, communicating with her team daily, and handling a significant portion of her workflow. At one point, I was doing more work for her than for any other client.

Then the invoices started going unpaid.

At first, I didn’t panic. I was still newer to running a business, and I trusted her. She explained that she was having temporary financial difficulties but planned to pull money from investments to catch up. Wanting to be understanding and maintain the relationship, I kept working.

That was my mistake.

The balance continued to grow until it reached over $6,000. That might not sound massive to a large firm, but to a small business owner with real-life bills and responsibilities, it was significant. That was income I had already mentally allocated — for rent, expenses, and everyday life. I was depending on it.

Eventually, she told me she couldn’t pay and suggested I send the balance to collections.

I was stunned. Not just financially, but emotionally. It’s a different kind of sting when it’s someone you trusted and worked closely with. I had done the work, delivered the results, and upheld my end — and still, I didn’t get paid.

That moment was a wake-up call.

It forced me to step into my role as a business owner in a way I hadn’t fully done before. I realized that being kind and being professional are not opposites — and that clear financial boundaries protect both sides.

Since then, I’ve strengthened my contracts and policies. My agreements now clearly state that invoices unpaid after 30 days begin accruing interest, and I discontinue work on any client matters if an account becomes overdue. No exceptions. It’s not personal — it’s business sustainability.

As painful as that experience was, it taught me one of the most important lessons of entrepreneurship: protecting your business is not selfish, it’s necessary. And sometimes the toughest moments are the ones that force you to build stronger systems for the future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.smbparalegalservices.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smbparalegalservices/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580640247492
• Other: https://www.alignable.com/groups/estate-planning-savvies

Image Credits

all images collected from Pexels