We recently connected with Eldonie Mason and have shared our conversation below.

Eldonie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about the early days of establishing your own firm. What can you share?

Starting my own law firm was never part of some grand plan—it was born out of necessity, frustration, and a burning desire to pursue a dream no one else could see but me.

In 2007, I had just left a job in South Florida and returned to the New York/New Jersey metro area, determined to build a career in entertainment law. I believed I had something to offer, but when I tried to get hired, all I heard was “no.” Time and again, law firms told me I didn’t have enough entertainment experience, even though I had a litigation background. The only jobs I was offered were in areas I was trying to pivot away from. It was disheartening. But even more than that, it was a turning point.

I didn’t want to look back on my life wondering what if? What if I had just tried? What if I had taken a leap of faith instead of waiting for someone to give me permission? So, I gave myself permission. If no one would hire me to do the work I knew I was meant to do, then I would hire myself. And just like that, my entrepreneurial journey began.

The early days were hard. I didn’t have a blueprint. I had to learn everything—how to set up a business entity, how to market myself, how to get clients, how to manage the financials—and I was doing it all while trying to build credibility in an industry that didn’t initially open its doors to me.

There were so many moments of uncertainty. I questioned myself. I failed. I started over. But I kept showing up. And over time, those small steps compounded. Today, I’ve walked international red carpets. I’ve been invited to the Grammys. I’m a member of the Recording Academy and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. None of that would’ve happened if I hadn’t bet on myself.

If I could do anything differently, I would’ve given myself more grace in the beginning. I was so hard on myself for not being “further along” when the truth is, every step I took—no matter how small—was building something greater than I could see in the moment.

To any young professional considering starting their own firm, I say this: bet on yourself. It won’t be easy. It won’t always be glamorous. You will have to work harder than you ever imagined. But it will be worth it. You are planting seeds today that may take years to bloom—but if you stay the course, they will.

This world is shifting rapidly. Job security isn’t guaranteed, and the traditional paths aren’t as reliable as they once seemed. So why not build your own path? Why not take a chance on the one thing you can control—yourself?

Keep pressing. Keep building. Keep believing. The world is waiting for what only you can create.

Eldonie, 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 Eldonie S. Mason, Esq.—Entertainment Lawyer Extraordinaire, entrepreneur, legacy protector, and fierce advocate for creatives and families alike. I wear many hats, but every role I play is grounded in one mission: to provide personalized, impactful legal services with intention, integrity, and a touch of flair.

My journey into law started from a childhood dream growing up in Antigua, and I made that dream a reality when I became an attorney by the age of 25. But my true path revealed itself when I decided to create my own lane in the entertainment industry. After leaving a job in South Florida and moving back to the New York/New Jersey area, I couldn’t get hired for entertainment law—everyone told me I didn’t have the right background. So, I hired myself. That bold decision led me into a beautiful, wild ride where I’ve built a practice representing creatives, walking red carpets, attending the Grammys, and earning membership in the Recording Academy and BAFTA.

Today, I run Mason Firm, LLC, where we focus on entertainment law, business law, fashion law, and estate planning. I help creators, entrepreneurs, and families protect their dreams, their brands, and their legacies.

Here’s what I do:

I help entertainers and influencers break free from bad contracts, own their content, and protect their intellectual property.

I guide fashion founders through brand protection, FTC compliance, and business structuring.

I assist small business owners with formation, contracts, and scaling legally and strategically.

I empower families—especially parents with minor children—to plan for today while protecting tomorrow through customized estate planning services.

What sets me apart? It’s the personal touch. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all legal services. My clients aren’t just case files—they’re visionaries, parents, legacy-builders. And I serve them with compassion, strategy, and clarity. I take complex legal concepts and make them simple and accessible. I don’t just protect businesses and estates—I help people protect their purpose.

One of the things I’m most proud of is the way I’ve built my career from the ground up—without connections, without handouts—just grit, faith, and a refusal to quit. And now, I use what I’ve learned to lift others up. Whether I’m speaking on a stage, mentoring young lawyers, or serving clients, I’m always planting seeds that will grow into something greater.

For anyone reading this: I want you to know that the law doesn’t have to be scary or sterile. With the right guidance, it can be your superpower. Whether you’re building an empire or protecting your family, I’m here to help you do it with clarity, creativity, and confidence.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Where do I begin? Being 20 years out of law school and still building, still pushing, still striving—that alone is a story of resilience.

But if I had to pick one moment that encapsulates it, it would be the decision to keep going when every door I knocked on said, “No.” After leaving South Florida to pursue a career in entertainment law in the New York/New Jersey area, I was met with rejection after rejection. Firms kept trying to put me in a box—offering me litigation roles because that’s where I had experience, but shutting me out of the world I truly wanted to be in. They didn’t see me as an entertainment lawyer because I didn’t fit the mold. But I knew in my soul that this was my purpose. So I said, “If you won’t hire me, I’ll hire myself.”

That was in 2007. And let me tell you—being an entrepreneur isn’t all glitz and glam. It’s grit. It’s getting knocked down and getting back up—again and again. It’s years of feeling like you’re on the outside looking in, wondering when the breakthrough will come.

But I kept going. I built my firm brick by brick. Some days felt like quicksand. Others, like flying. I didn’t always have the clients. I didn’t always have the cash flow. But I always had the calling. And that kept me showing up—even when it was hard, even when it was lonely.

And now? I’ve attended the Grammys. I’ve walked red carpets in London. I’m a member of the Recording Academy and BAFTA. I speak on stages. I empower families to protect their legacies and creatives to own their worth. None of this would’ve happened if I gave up when the doors closed.

Resilience isn’t about being unshaken—it’s about choosing to rise even when you’re broken. It’s understanding that success comes in different seasons for different people. We’re all running our own race. I’ve learned not to measure my journey by someone else’s yardstick. I just keep moving forward, step by step, knowing that where I’m going is worth every twist in the road.

So if you’re out there trying to make something happen and it feels like it’s taking forever—keep going. That breakthrough might be just one more step away.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

The number one rule I live by when managing a team is this: treat people the way you wish you were treated when you were in their shoes.

It’s amazing how many people get into leadership roles and suddenly forget what it felt like to be the employee—working long hours, dealing with personal struggles, and just wanting to feel valued. I’ve had my fair share of difficult bosses, and I always told myself that when I had a team of my own, I’d lead with compassion, not control.

One moment that really stands out for me is when one of my team members had to evacuate their home due to flooding. The very next day, even though they had just returned home to chaos and mess, they told me they were ready to report to work. And I said, “No, you can’t. Take today too. Get your affairs in order. Take care of your home and your family.” That small act of understanding meant so much to them—they couldn’t stop thanking me. And to me, that’s just basic human decency.

Leadership isn’t about barking orders or setting rigid rules. It’s about seeing your team as people first. When you lead with empathy and respect, morale stays high, and your team will walk through fire for you—not because they have to, but because they want to.

You could pay someone top dollar and still have a disengaged employee if you treat them poorly. But treat someone with kindness and fairness, and they’ll often outperform even your expectations—because you’ve created a culture where they feel seen, heard, and appreciated.

At the end of the day, you don’t build a business alone. Your team is the backbone of your success. Invest in them—not just with money, but with compassion—and your business will thrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.masonfirmllc.com
• Instagram: @masonfirm
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Eldonie.Mason
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eldoniemason/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@masonfirm