Sarah Gilliland is the founding Attorney of The SDG Law Firm & The Legal Shoppe.
“The SDG Law Firm is a boutique Scottsdale firm serving business owners in total business and brand legal protections. We celebrate our clients’ business successes and are proud to be a part of building onto that with solid legal business structure, contracts, and intellectual property protection. We pride ourselves in using plain language which leaves our clients feeling confident, not confused about all things legal in their business.”
AZF: Did you always know that you wanted to be entrepreneur? If not, when did you realize that it was the right path right for you?
SG: Yes, but without knowing really what it was. I would work for others, and show up with a visionary attitude. That doesn’t typically go over very well to the boss, especially with lawyers. I laugh thinking about some of those conversations now. I was 25 and completely blind sided by how much my bosses hated my brilliant ideas. By 28 I had started my first firm, and never looked back.
AZF: What excites you most about being an entrepreneur?
SG: I love that I get to build my practice my way, a way that nurtures our clients businesses and builds lasting relationships. Traditionally, many law firms are hyper focused on the billable hour and positioning themselves in a way that clients need them, but really don’t want them. I have so much fun with my clients in a way that I probably couldn’t if I were working for someone else.
AZF: How do you feel best supported?
SG: I feel supported by being in rooms of connectors. When all walks of business are together, and instead of business card passing we’re genuinely building relationships, and learning how to help each other’s businesses grow, that’s gold.
AZF: What is your “life motto”?
SG: I can’t be that serious. Business and life can really throw it at you. Things can get intense, and as entrepreneurs we can fall into this hyper-serious mode where the passion and fun is sucked out of what we do. When that happens, and I can step back and remind myself that none if it is REALLY that serious, it injects a much needed level of play to get over the hump.
AZF: Describe your perfect Saturday morning.
SG: THE perfect Saturday morning is waking up before my kids (they’re teens, so that isn’t a huge feat), grabbing a coffee with my husband, then hitting up the Scottsdale Farmer’s Market for fresh produce. Then, taking it slow and spending time outside or on a hike in the cooler months.
AZF:What motivates you to keep going amidst of the challenges that come with being an entrepreneur?
SG: I really dive into both the feels and the logistics. I read back the sweetest, most heart felt messages from my clients on how I’ve positively impacted their success, knowing I wouldn’t be able to work with them the way I do working for someone else. Then the logistics, while it is so challenging as an entrepreneur sometimes, we also have no limits. We can scale, so there are no limits to income. We can get creative, so our operations don’t have to be in a box. I’ll take the challenge of figuring it out with no limits any day over the alternative.
AZF: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a young entrepreneur who is just starting out?
SG: Allow everything to be open to change and creativity. Following someone else’s business recipe (or even your own) to the T, and without wiggle room can leave blind spots where really cool opportunities lie. Your business does not have to be done “the way it’s always been done”.
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About The Foundress
The Foundress is a creative community of female entrepreneurs established by Coley Arnold and Lindsey Holt, owners of Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market. The women-led networking group currently has over 120 members who receive exclusive access to mentorship from experienced female entrepreneurs and industry leaders; community gatherings that feature expert speakers and the opportunity to connect with like-minded women; as well as monthly Mastermind Groups where members can brainstorm and collaborate together.
Every Friday AZF will spotlight a member of The Foundress and her business in the online series Foundress Fridays. Learn more about The Foundress and join the community at www.foundress.co.
