Name: Laura A. Bianchi
Age: 36
Title: Partner at Rose Law Group
Married/Single: Single
Kids: 1 Sweet and Extra Spicy Furbaby named Romeo
City you live in: Scottsdale
My day is like… generally, hectic and insane, but always interesting. Working as a business/corporate transactions attorney focused primarily on the legal cannabis industry requires me to think and strategize like an attorney, but also demands I possess an out of the box entrepreneurial streak as the laws are constantly changing and evolving and the case precedent virtually non-existent. My clients’ issues, concerns and needs are always unique, requiring the strategy, advice and direction I provide to be distinct from any other industry. While it’s not without its challenges and complications, it allows me to be part of history in the making, as I do my part to mold and shape the cannabis industry into a well-structured effective industry with enormous opportunity for long term success.
I was born… in Maryville, Illinois
My favorite thing about Arizona… the winters.
I’m listening to… Don Omar on Pandora….ha yes, I’m a proud Italian woman, but the music of my soul is most certainly Latin.
My family… I have been blessed with two incredibly supportive, wonderful and loving parents, as well as a little sister that is beautiful, brilliant and my best friend. Everything good that I am, all that I have and all that I have achieved is a direct result of my family, their sacrifices and the foundation they gave me, complete with faith, love, strength and the confidence that nothing is impossible.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be… It’s extremely difficult to narrow my response to only one individual, so I am going to give you three, in no particular order: Lorenzo Fertitta, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Victor Cui.
One thing I cannot live without… my family.
When I was younger, I wanted to be… an attorney or an interior designer. Of course as you know the attorney role won, but sometimes, on those extra hectic days, I think “I could be designing a fabulous living room on HGTV right now… ha!”
I’m inspired by… people who have overcome obstacles, defied the odds and paved their own paths. Those individuals who have found a way to be fierce but compassionate, humble but confident, loyal but not weak and those who have achieved balance without compromising on what they want most in life.
The one person who motivates me is… my sister Catherine. She’s a strong, beautiful, brilliant woman who has overcome and conquered so much adversity, but yet she still prevails and succeeds in all of her endeavors. In June she will be graduating as a Medical Doctor with an MBA in Hospital Administration, all while tirelessly working to advance her skills and abilities in mixed martial arts. She never ceases to amaze me and while I may be her big sister, she continues to inspire me with her unbreakable spirit and resolve to succeed.
If I could change anything in the world, it would be… the callousness and intolerance that seems to be so prevalent in our world today. Somewhere along the line we seem to have stopped appreciating and valuing our differences as well as the ability to see other perspectives and disagree respectfully. I am also fierce in my resolve to change people’s attitudes towards how we treat animals and I’ll do all I can to change the laws to stiffen the penalties for those who abuse and neglect animals. Even if someone doesn’t share my love for animals, they cannot deny that the statistics are clear, people who abuse, torture and/or kill animals WILL eventually move on to human beings.
The perfect day would be… my perfect day would begin by waking up to the sound of the ocean and spending the day relaxing, soaking up the sun, drinking wine and spending time with my little guy and the people I love the most.
My first job was… Jack of all trades at Epicurean Catering in Denver Colorado.
My favorite escape… the beach, I am happiest and most content with the ocean in front of me and my toes in the sand. I’m in awe of the power, beauty, vastness and mystery of the ocean.
My life… is pretty darn good! I have been blessed with success in my career; I work for a law firm that is anything but typical and has allowed me to follow my dreams, no matter how out of the ordinary; I have amazing parents who have become two of my closest friends; I have a sister and a best friend all in one; I have fabulous friends who love me quirks and all, and; I’m blessed to have the ability to travel, spend time with the people I love and pursue the things I am most passionate about in life.
I’m currently working on… many things, including several interesting matters in the cannabis industry; working to create an inspiring, informative yet fun blog called The Woman in the Weeds; training and working to improve in various areas of mixed martial arts; practicing and striving to improve and strengthen my yoga practice, and; training my sweet and extra spicy Yorkie Romeo, because in his head, he is Mama’s protector and a very big and fierce dog ha!
Always… chase your dreams relentlessly; laugh often; live fearlessly; never regret anything, learn from it; step outside the box and take risks.
Never… let anyone tell you that you can’t do something, because whether you believe you can or you can’t, you’re right. Never let anyone take your joy, steal your laughter or put their issues on your shoulders. Never apologize for being who you are.
Favorite Quote… I have a huge list of quotes that inspire me every day, so it’s difficult to select just one, so here are a few…
“Difficult doesn’t mean impossible. It simply means that you have to work hard.” Unknown
“Don’t give up. Normally it is the last key on the ring which opens the door.” Paulo Coelho
“People inspire you, or they drain you – pick them wisely.” Hans F. Hanson
“Well behaved women, rarely make history.” Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Biggest Dream… my biggest dream is twofold: I intend to be CEO of my own company and create a nonprofit organization that will build and develop loving care homes for children in the foster care system. These homes would employ carefully selected adults who are willing to give these children a loving, stable home environment, access to education and tutoring, food, clothing and a roof over their heads, as well and the opportunity to feel loved, safe and protected. I want to give these children the opportunity to break the cycle of abuse, neglect and addiction, and give them all the tools necessary to grow up and become successful, happy adults who contribute positively to the world around them. As part of these loving care homes, I intend to incorporate a rescue organization for animals, giving these children the opportunity to learn to the basic concept of giving and receiving unconditional love, while simultaneously giving abused, abandoned and neglected animals a loving home to grow old, safe and protected as well.
My Pet Peeve(s)… ignorance, selfishness and intolerance.
