We speak with so many brilliant folks across dozens of industries and when those folks happen to be working for someone else, sometimes we can’t help but wonder why they aren’t working for themselves. How do folks decide between joining a firm or starting their own? We posed the question to the community and have shared some of their responses below.

Lauren Kemps-Thibodeaux

In grade school, I was given an assignment that required me to determine what I wanted to be when I grew up. I took that assignment to heart and did some self-reflection. Growing up as a Girl Scout, I knew that serving others, in various capacities, was my true calling. After accessing my other strengths, like my passion for debating with my sibling and my good writing skills, I came to the only logical conclusion — I wanted to be a lawyer. But, I didn’t want to be just any lawyer. I aspired to have my own law firm and utilize that platform to serve my community. Read more>>

Brandon Pettijohn

When I was in law school, I knew that I wanted to start my own firm one day. Being that I went to school in Indiana and was planning to practice in North Carolina, I was less than confident that I could successfully run my own law practice right out the gate. Even though I was not a traditional student, having spent four years as an active duty United States Marine prior to going to college and law school, I wanted to get some experience under my belt first. Read more>>

Krista Soukup

My firm began because I read a really great book. I loved it. A book club friend knew the author and invited her to our book club discussion of the book, “Abercrombie Trail” by Candace Simar. As we discussed the book, the author mentioned their was a sequel. She had a homemade book mark and was overwhelmed by her new role as an author. Days later I kept thinking about what I would do to promote a book. Retail was in my blood after an eight year career and a degree in business and marketing. I called up Candace for a cup of coffee Read more>>