We recently connected with Paige Bostic and have shared our conversation below.
Paige , appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
I would consider myself a traditional A-Type overachiever. For the longest time, I used to proclaim that I was a “relaxed” A-type, not quite B, but someone that could go with the flow. Luckily, I have been delivered from such foolish thoughts. As self-awarness set in, I realized that I was never “relaxed” just a diligent over-planner. Because it is easy to ‘go with the flow’ when the flow is part of a contingency plan. I said all this to set the platform for why risks have been my most terrifying and worthwhile decisions in life. Adventure that was ultimately unplanned, leaps/hops/or steps of faith– risks that formed a life worth living.
I planned to be a doctor, for several reasons, most of which started and ended with the names of green presidents. But then one day, while I sat in the middle of my college freshman biology lecture, with BOREDOM written in capital letters across my face, I stared at the individuals around me taking copious notes. I was always a great student but somehow this lifelong charter trait did not translate to my pre-med major. At that moment, I had to leave, I had to change, I had to do something, and so I did. Mind you, with lots of tears, and mental tussling, because risk-taking did not sit well with my type-A sensibility, but I did it nonetheless. I switched to education as a major. I grew up in a family of educators and learned how to set up a classroom before I learned how to wash my clothes, and brush my hair. I had been toted to every classroom, school event, and campus around North Dallas before I was 5. Becoming a teacher was a risk.
Leaving teaching, my good-paying job, to become a law student was an even bigger risk. A risk that my parents forecasted for me, long before I knew I wanted to become a lawyer (apparently I always had a way with words). I loved my tiny humans but I wanted to do more for them. I saw the direct impact of local legislation on their lives and needed to make a change.
Starting a scholarship right out of law school when had not even received my first paycheck was a risk, but in doing so I have been able to sponsor seven diverse scholars on their own legal education journey.
Not all of my risks have ended in what some would call success, no accolades or medals of honor, but all of my risks have made my life a beautiful one.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Paige Bostic, If you spoke to me in person, I would say my name is Paige, like you turn the page in a book, but not spelled that way. I am an education defense attorney, which said plainly means, I represent school districts, in proactive matters such as compliance and limiting legal exposure to reactive matters, such as defense to claims against the District and its representatives.
In my downtime, I am a bar exam coach, along with my business partner and dear friend, Deja Cutno. At ESQ., we specialize in coaching the whole person, meaning we work with students on content, schedule, and navigating lifestyle while studying for the bar exam.
My passion project is the Faith Without Works Legal Diversity Scholarship. I have not had to suffer financially, but I have been around so many that have. When I decided to enter into the legal profession, I was met with costs exorbitant costs immediately, the LSAT course was $1500, the applications were over $100 each, to take the LSAT was over $300 and that was just to get into law school. Once you get there, books per semester can range from $850- $1200. Bar exam expenses of the exam, the materials, and cost of living while you are studying are at least 5-10 thousand dollars. I was blessed with multiple scholarships and uber supportive parents. Quickly, I realized that certain populations are priced out of entering the legal field and I wanted to change that. Thus, the creation of Faith Without Works (“FWW”), a subsidiary of the McGlotham Foundation, a 501 (c)(3), non-profit corporation. FWW awards scholarships to scholars at the beginning, middle, and ending stages of their legal education and is geared towards supporting diverse candidates in their legal journey.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Word of mouth. People like people that have been vetted. It’s much easier to take a risk if someone else has been the guinea pig for lack of a better words. Thus, the people that we coach at ESQ found us via someone else.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn what I thought success should be. For the longest time, I thought success was measured by acknowledgment and societal milestones. I have come to find that success is personal. Success is a moving target. Success is relative. Success for me today is taking the time to conduct this interview. Success for me tomorrow may be to finish packing for my vacation. Success is in the little victories that we take every day.