Estate planning attorney Lili shares her journey from corporate success to entrepreneurial freedom. After nearly two decades in corporate law, the pandemic's forced stillness made her confront a truth she'd been avoiding: she was trading her authenticity for a paycheck. Lili discusses the pivotal moment she visualized walking through a portal to the life she truly wanted, the challenges of marketing herself as a brand rather than just a service provider, and how being a Black woman attorney carved out a unique space in an industry traditionally dominated by wealthy, white male practitioners. She opens up about the realities of juggling entrepreneurship with new motherhood, the importance of building the right community, the role of AI in her practice, and why people genuinely want to help you succeed. This conversation delivers real talk about risk-taking, financial preparation, work-life integration, and the difference between being busy and being fulfilled.
Chapters:
- (00:00:00) - The Long Drive to Friendship
- (00:02:00) - The Pandemic Stillness That Changed Everything
- (00:05:00) - Visualizing the Portal to a Different Life
- (00:08:00) - Taking Off the Corporate Umbrella
- (00:12:00) - What Does an Entrepreneur Actually Do?
- (00:15:00) - The Myth That All Entrepreneurs Are Serious
- (00:18:00) - Marketing Yourself vs Marketing Your Services
- (00:22:00) - Why She Left Despite Corporate Success
- (00:27:00) - Discovering Her Street Value as a Black Woman Professional
- (00:30:00) - Finding Resources and Community Support
- (00:33:00) - Why There's No Competition in Her Space
- (00:36:00) - Building Systems Through Client Feedback
- (00:40:00) - Choosing the Right Round Table of Advisors
- (00:43:00) - Social Media Strategy: Speaking Gigs Over Clients
- (00:47:00) - How She Uses AI in Her Legal Practice
- (00:50:00) - Estate Planning 101: Wills vs Trusts
- (00:54:00) - Serving the Underserved in Estate Planning
- (00:58:00) - Adding Family to the Entrepreneurial Journey
- (01:02:00) - Juggling Glass Balls and Rubber Balls
- (01:04:00) - A Day in the Life of a Mom-Entrepreneur-Attorney
- (01:06:00) - Final Gem: People Want to Help You
Links and Resources:
- Website
- Lillie Nkenchor on LinkedIn
- Amos Akinyooye on LinkedIn
- Aston Consulting Group
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