Once you become a solo practitioner, you’ll be eager to get a client and start working on his/her case.  But, before you jump for joy that someone has contacted you for your legal skills, be certain that you want this person as your client.  Of course, you’ll do the necessary due diligence to determine if they have a case or whether you can even help them.  But, you should also be concerned about whether you’ll get paid for your services.  For example, I was speaking to a colleague who told me about a conversation with a potential client.  When they began to discuss fees, the client wanted to know whether the attorney could lower her fees in an attempt to match an online ad that claimed to provide the same service for $49.95.  The attorney, of course, said that she couldn’t match that price.  The client went on to say that they were willing to pay $69.95 since, after all, he was dealing with an attorney.  So, the attorney said that he should perhaps take the $49.95 deal and see if his legal issues will be resolved.  Now, of course, the attorney lost a potential client, but she saved time not having to hunt down her legal fees from this person.  This client is the type that would refuse to pay what is owed in the end.  So, be very selective when you choose your clients.  Law school surely wasn’t free (or $49.95), so your services shouldn’t be free.

When you first venture out on your own and start a business, you’ll have more people telling you negative things than positive.  You’ll hear things like: “Just because you have a great idea doesn’t mean you will be successful” or “That’s already been done.  You’ll never see a profit” or “You’ll never be able to do it.”  My advice to you is to get these people out of your life.  Or, if that’s not possible, do not give them anymore details of your business.  There will be pitfalls, but you will get over them.  There will be days when you feel overwhelmed, but you will get over that as well.  As an entrepreneur, you need to remain positive at all times.  KNOW THAT YOUR SUCCESS IS INEVITABLE!  Now, I’m not saying that you should only surround yourself with others that always agree with you.  But, you definitely don’t need to constantly hear that you’re going to fail.  Remain positive, know that you will succeed, and you will.