We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelly Bagla. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelly below.
Kelly, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think your parents did right?
Kelly Bagla, Esq. International Award-winning Attorney and Entrepreneur
On Mission Helping Business Owners Succeed
Coming from a family of seven successful, motivated siblings, people often ask what my parents did right. My mother and father instilled in each of us the importance of getting an education, whatever discipline we would choose.
My dad taught us as much by example as he did with words. As a young man who was well off in India, he wanted more for himself and his family. He left everything behind with his wife and first three children to move to England where he believed there would be more opportunity. Dad started on the ground floor, working at a factory to learn the business. He worked his way through the ranks to eventually purchase the factory! Through his tireless work ethic, love for his fellow workers, ambition, and intelligence, he not only accomplished his dreams but made the business a much better place for his employees, who loved him.
I could say so much more about my father, but it is important to emphasize that the heart of his passion and care for others and all his success stemmed from his heritage as a Sikh. I remember as a young girl (the baby of the family born in England), my father carefully instructing us on the history of Sikhs as powerful warrior defenders of those who needed protection. That is the blood that ran through his veins: Powerful warriors with reverence of God who practiced the ideals of honesty, compassion, humility, and generosity in everyday life. And that is the heritage that has been foundational to everything I have ever achieved.
My mother was no less a warrior and teacher. She was a stay-at-home mom, fiercely devoted to raising seven children and instilling in us an unshakeable belief in our self-worth. She taught us to stand up for ourselves and never allow anyone to treat us with disrespect. She encouraged us to follow our passion and to help people along the way.
I have been blessed to have my parents’ unconditional support and love every step of my journey. What did my parents do right? Just about everything!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
When people hear my British accent, they often ask about my story. I love to explain that I am an immigrant who came to the U.S. to fulfill my American Dream; initially to be an attorney and to someday have my own law firm. Shortly after coming to America, I earned my law degree and passed the bar as planned. I then had the coveted opportunity to work for the world’s largest law firm.
Working for a mega law firm, I learned from the best, practicing law with both domestic and international clients. I also gleaned wisdom and skills of advanced problem solving, professionalism, dealing with people, overcoming obstacles, and serving clients. It was a great foundation for everything I have accomplished since.
Through this on-the-job learning process, it became clear that I could better serve entrepreneurs with the personal attention and transparent fee structure a boutique law firm could offer. I’ve always had a heart for entrepreneurs, (like my own father), and decided to make it my mission to help business owners reach their own success. So, I left the mega firm to form my own boutique firm, Bagla Law Firm, APC. I am very proud that my award-winning firm has served our loyal clients for more than 14 years. We help clients with business formation, asset protection, mergers, acquisitions, and a full boutique of legal services to fulfill the needs of entrepreneurs, business owners, corporations, and international businesses.
Bagla Law Firm has become both the culmination of my dreams and the launching point for ongoing growth, enhancement, and expansion of my American Dream. I have gone on to establish multiple businesses and have written five books while never losing sight of my primary mission. Each of my enterprises has been developed to inform, equip, and inspire entrepreneurs to live their own American Dreams.
Go Legal Yourself® is a case in point. My online Do-It-Yourself legal document company empowers entrepreneurs to handle their own formation and growth with the right legal documents. Some would question the advisability of a lawyer forming a company that circumvents the need to use a lawyer! But I see this as a logical extension of my mission. There are clients who will always want to use our “hands-on” legal services, where we handle every aspect of the process from consultation to filing. Go Legal Yourself® online services are for other entrepreneurs who would rather do as much of this themselves at a fraction of what a law firm would charge. I see no conflict in providing both options. Either way, entrepreneurs are served based on their individual needs.
The five books that I’ve written align with my mission as well. For instance, the best-seller, Go Legal Yourself® has helped countless business owners to assess and readjust their legal positioning. My franchise also includes the award-winning Go Legal Yourself! ® Podcast, where I interview experts to hear their success stories and glean advice for the audience. And my newest company, Pitbulls ‘n Pearls, is a 360° coaching program for entrepreneurs and professionals who want a thriving business and a healthy life.
My American Dream is expanding globally, as I am now in the position to help foreign business owners tap into the Land of Opportunity as I did. I believe that it takes someone who has successfully entered the U.S. market to fully understand the needs of someone who wants to do the same. My latest book, Doing Business in the United States, is an overview of the legal guidance I provide my own foreign-based clients who plan to enter the U.S. market. The book provides a great starting point for any business entering this market.
My team will tell you that I am continually generating ideas and brainstorming with them about improving and expanding my enterprises. Admittedly, I make it a challenge for them to keep up with all the ventures I dream up. But together we stay on track as we always come back to our purpose to help entrepreneurs reach their own success.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Resilience is foundational to growth and success. Without it we would easily get derailed and quit at the first obstacle in our path. The best example in my journey happened while I was going through college in preparation for law school. I was taking a business law class and was not doing that well. When I saw the school counselor he told me, “Maybe law isn’t for you.”
I felt my “warrior blood” rush through my veins in defiance and strength, immediately responding, “I don’t think you are the counselor for me.”
If I had listened to him, I wouldn’t be the person I am today! I wouldn’t be where I am today – coming up on twenty years of practicing law. I’m crushing it with my own law firm, multiple businesses, and a mission to help others. That’s the last time I ever went to a counselor.
Don’t believe the naysayers. Don’t allow criticism or disappointment to slow you down. With resilience you can shake off each setback, regroup and refocus on your mission.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
I am an avid reader, devouring between 60 and 75 books a year. I make it my practice to study media and publications on business and leadership, strategy, and mindset. But when I think about THE media experience that literally shaped my life, I must go back to when I was a young girl in England. I became fascinated with a television show called, “The Queen’s Council.” The series featured a nonchalant barrister who had a heart for helping people. As the hero, he always managed to save the day, making life better for those in need.
From the instant I began watching the series I was drawn to this field. I told my dad, “I’d love to do that!” He somehow realized this was a defining moment and from that day on, my dad supported me all the way to follow my dream. I never wavered from this career goal since.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://baglalaw.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baglalaw
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baglalaw
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bagla-law-firm/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bagla-law-firm-carlsbad-3?osq=bagla+law+firm
Image Credits
Kelly with husband Brent and their beloved dogs. (Please indicate this information regarding this photo)