In this episode of From Passion to Profit™️, we have Zara Watson of Watson & Young, a successful entrepreneur and intellectual property lawyer. Tune in as Zara shares her inspiring journey from the corporate world to building her own law firm. As a woman of color and a mother, she faced unique challenges and obstacles along the way but remained focused on her mission to create a top-tier intellectual property law firm in New York.

We hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as we've enjoyed creating it. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review to let us know what you think. And as always, thank you for tuning in to our podcast: From Passion to Profit™️.

Read an exclusive interview of Zara Watson on our blog: https://cheyamedia.com/zara-watson-young

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You're listening to From Passion to Profit, a show about female

2

entrepreneurs who have built their

businesses from the ground up and

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turned their passion into profit.

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These episodes share their most

inner working thoughts, their

5

journey, triumphs, and challenges.

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Whether you're just starting out

or looking to take your business

7

to the next level, these women have

valuable advice and insights to share.

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If you want to turn your passion

into profit, this podcast is for you.

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I'm so excited to introduce you

to Zara Watson Young, an amazing

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business owner and even more

phenomenal trademark attorney.

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Zara's story is an interesting one because

as a lawyer, there's a lot at stake.

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But she's proven time and time again

how her performance as a lawyer is

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just as important as her ability

to show up as a founder and CEO.

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Sit back, relax, and tune into this

episode of From Passion to Profit.

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So let's start from the beginning.

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You graduated, where

did you graduate from?

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Zara: Cardozo, Yeshiva in Manhattan.

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Chelsya: Yes, yes, yes.

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You've always been in New York and you,

yeah, you have no interest to leave.

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Very proud New Yorker.

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I love that.

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And you didn't start in the

niche or industry that you're in

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right now when it comes to law.

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Yeah.

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Yeah.

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How did you choose special education

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Zara: law?

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Okay, so we're really going back.

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I got into it because my youngest

sister, she has a learning disability

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called Auditory Processing Disorder.

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And at the time, she was in a

Catholic school and they didn't

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have the proper services for her.

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So, my parents started this crazy mission

of trying to find a proper school for her.

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So we were, she was originally

on Long Island and then we had

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to start our search in Manhattan.

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So my mom literally went on a crazy,

like, you know, wild goose chase

37

trying to find a proper school for her.

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We ended up having to sue the state.

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To pay for a private special

education school for her.

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And during that time, my mom and my

parents hired a law firm and I ended up

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interning at that law firm and really

going through that process with them.

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And I said, wow, this is an amazing area.

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This is so rewarding.

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And I can help other parents, you

know, fight the system and get their,

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you know, child's education paid for.

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So that's really the background.

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And then I started working there.

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And I realized it was

not what it seemed to be.

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I was no longer passionate about it.

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Our caseload was insane.

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As you can imagine, we're dealing

with parents, very worried parents.

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So the communication, you know, a lot of

high tech support and they weren't able

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to get that because of our caseload.

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There were very few attorneys, like

not enough attorneys to parents.

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So I said, this is not

how I want to practice.

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You know, I'm not, I'm not

passionate about this area of law.

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So I started to think about what other

areas of law am I passionate about?

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And at that time I had a lifestyle blog, a

travel blog, and I love creating content.

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I had a lot of other, um, content

creator friends and I said, they

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have no idea about protecting

their intellectual property.

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Things of that sort.

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And I said, wow, I can combine

intellectual property law and still

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have my blog and, you know, do my

creative, creative things on the side.

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So that's really how I started in

terms of intellectual property law.

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Chelsya: Yeah, really cool story.

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And we're going to like

dive deep into those pieces.

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Going back to when you got a job at

that law firm and then you were like,

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this is not at all what I was expecting.

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What made you want to start?

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A travel and lifestyle blog, because

I feel like typically, this was

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in, this was prior to 2017, right?

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Correct,

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Zara: yeah.

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Chelsya: So blogs were still kind of,

like, it was just rising, you know, social

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media was just rising, or like, Having

that as a career was very new still.

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What, how did you think about like

starting a travel and lifestyle blog?

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Zara: Oh, I loved it.

78

I actually had a blog since

the beginning of law school.

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So my goodness, like 2014.

80

So for a very long time,

and I always loved writing.

81

I've always been a journalist.

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So it was just like a natural

progression and just being able to

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share, especially my travel experience.

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I wanted to share that with other people,

share like, you know, really fun places

85

to visit while you're in a certain city.

86

So it was just natural.

87

Like, I just, Always loved writing, and

when I discovered blogging, I was like,

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oh yeah, like, I definitely want to

do this, and I want to continue to do

89

this as an outlet while in law school.

90

Chelsya: Yeah, and I totally feel that

because that's how I got into my industry.

91

It was like, I was blogging while I was

in my pre med journey, and then Similar

92

to you, I was like, Oh, this can be a job.

93

Like this can turn into,

I can be in this industry.

94

So from there you went and

ventured into like IP law.

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Did you go straight into building your

business or starting your business?

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Or did you go to another law firm first?

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Zara: I went straight in and that

was, that was part of the decision.

98

I remember before I resigned,

I said, I can either.

99

Continue working for another law

firm, like, you know, go to another

100

law firm or start my own thing.

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And that was always my dream.

102

I've always dreamt of owning something.

103

And at the time when I was at the

firm, I was like, you know, one day

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I'm going to have my own law firm.

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I didn't know what it would be

for, but we have my own law firm.

106

And when I resigned, I was

like, this is my opportunity.

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Again, I can either work for

someone else or do my own thing.

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And I said, this is the time

because I don't have any kids.

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I'm not married.

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I don't have a mortgage.

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Like I have barely any responsibilities.

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So this is the time to take this big risk.

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And I did.

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Chelsya: Zara's initial dive into

special education law was not a typical

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career choice, but stemmed from a

deeply personal family experience.

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This highlights how personal

life events can significantly

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influence professional paths.

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Her shift away from special

education law underscores a

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common professional realization.

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The day to day realities of

a job may differ vastly from

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its idealized conception.

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This insight is particularly relevant

in law, where noble pursuits can be

123

hindered by systemic inefficiencies.

124

Her story is a candid look at the

dissonance between professional

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ideals and practical challenges.

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What was that like?

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Like, do you remember that day of, when

you decided, okay, we're gonna do this,

128

did you, I wonder, okay, a serious

question, I wonder if you filed the LLC

129

first, and then you're like, let's go, or

you're like, let's just play around with

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this, and then filed the LLC when you

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Zara: felt like this is

gonna be a real thing.

132

That's a really good question.

133

So I remember the day, the

day that I resigned, and I'm

134

happy to share a little bit.

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More about that.

136

So I remember walking into the

partner's law firm, his office.

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And, you know, I thanked him.

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I was like, thank you so

much for this opportunity.

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You know, I've learned so much.

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I've grown so much.

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But, you know, I realized

that this is not for me.

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And I told him, I knew, by the time

I resigned, I knew that I wanted

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to do intellectual property law.

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So I told him, I was like, I'm going

to venture into intellectual property.

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Like, I am very passionate about it.

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I'm already, like, helping other, like,

influencers in terms of, like, what to do.

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And he was just like, to

thine own self be true.

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I will never forget those words.

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And that was my first like post in terms

of like me announcing my law firm, like

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those words will always stick with me.

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And I really appreciate

that you told me that.

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So from there I took some time

in terms of like how I was

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going to plan out my business.

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So yes, my first step was forming

an LLC or PLC professional

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and middle liability company.

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I remember I had hired someone

to do a business plan for me.

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I had like my client contracts in place.

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So yeah, I did take the

legal steps of course.

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But yeah, I remember, yeah.

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that day that I resigned so, so vividly.

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Chelsya: Yeah.

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That's such an awesome experience

that you had with your boss, right?

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In a way where it's like, he

was, he propelled he, she, he,

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Zara: he,

165

Chelsya: yeah, he propelled

you towards that decision.

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And just like, I love that saying

that he gave, I feel like if I

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went up to my, Manager at the time

who that the company that I left,

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that was not the experience at all.

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It was like, you can't take any of

our clients, you know, that was like

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kind of the experience that I had.

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But I imagine like if I had a similar

experience yours, it would be, it would

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just excite me, it would motivate me, it

would make me feel like really confident.

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How did you find clients?

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Zara: Through social media, referrals.

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I had no background in

advertising, marketing, none of it.

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I had no idea what I was doing,

but I said, you know what?

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I have my phone, I have Instagram, I'm

just going to use my network and just

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start posting educational content.

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I was like, if I post educational

content, This will help people or, you

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know, one of my colleagues or friends

or family, maybe they'll just share

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it with someone who needs my help.

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So I started posting on

Instagram and on Facebook.

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Those are the two platforms.

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And literally I just started

getting people who I knew.

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They said, Oh, I'm starting a business.

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Can you help me?

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That's literally how it started.

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And then it's just been

our business right now.

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It's primarily based off of

referrals, but it started literally

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from then, from 2017 on Instagram.

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Yeah.

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Chelsya: Yeah.

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That's so cool.

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Zara: It was very scary.

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Like.

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I like, you know, I, I, it's like,

I have a pretty nice style in terms

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of like my graphics, like I can

make this look nice and I'll just

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share like educational content.

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So that's, that's Oh

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Chelsya: my gosh.

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If only it's that easy now.

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I know.

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Oh my gosh.

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Yes.

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Thank God I started back then.

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Right.

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Exactly.

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So, okay.

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So you posted, you decided

You filed everything, you went

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through all the single steps,

and then you posted a repost.

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How soon was it until you got

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Zara: your first client?

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Pretty fast.

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Even before I launched on social

media, I had told friends, and I had

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a really good friend, she is currently

still, or still a singer songwriter,

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and she needed help with copyrights.

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So I, she was my first client.

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So just literally through word

of mouth and it was pretty fast.

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Like again before I launched

I just told friends and they

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are coming to me in that way.

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Zara's

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Chelsya: journey of realizing that

intellectual property law was her

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true calling is an inspiring example

of professional self discovery.

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The phrase, to thine own self

be true, encapsulates a powerful

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message about the importance of

authenticity in one's career.

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Her transition to intellectual

property law, influenced by her

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blogging experience, showcases

an innovative blending of legal

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expertise and personal interests.

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This represents a broader trend

where professionals are increasingly

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seeking ways to integrate their

personal passions with their careers.

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It's a valuable lesson on the importance

of adaptability and finding niches that

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align with both skills and interests.

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I also love hearing about her use

of social media as a primary tool

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for client acquisition during

the early stages of her business.

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This is something you should remember.

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Her strategy of sharing educational

content not only demonstrates

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resourcefulness, but also highlights

how providing value can naturally

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lead to business opportunities.

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You brought up how, you know, being

part of like the New York law space.

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If you were inside a corporate law under

someone else's firm, especially as a

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woman of color, it proves even more

difficulty to like do what you want to do.

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Has that translated at all to

being a CEO in your own business

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and growing in your business?

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Zara: You know, that is

an excellent question.

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And I feel like when I first

started, yes, now, not so much.

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I don't have, no, it's,

it's, it's different.

247

But yeah, when I first started, oh

my goodness, baby lawyer me, I was

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like, in terms of like, yeah, I

don't know how to, how to explain it.

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I'm trying to think of a really good

like situation from, from the past.

250

This is a hard one to talk about now.

251

Now it comes to me in terms of pricing.

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That was one of my biggest challenges

when I first started, especially

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because we were getting like

referrals, like people that I knew.

254

It could have just been an internal thing,

but there was definitely like a feeling

255

of having to discount my prices for,

you know, like other people of color.

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And this is such a, now looking

back, I'm like, wow, that was very,

257

a very arrogant way to think because

it's like, Oh, like, I don't know,

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you know what people can afford.

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Right.

260

But it's like coming from law

school when you're, I was literally

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the only, I was, One of two black

girls in my law school, like class.

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Yeah.

263

So it's, but it's like

a normal thing, right.

264

And like law school, even in

law firms, it's a, yeah, it's

265

a very normal thing, seriously.

266

So it's kind of like,

you want to help, right.

267

You want to help other business owners,

especially because they look at the

268

history of like, you know, especially in

social property and social property that

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has been taken from like major artists.

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You can think of, you know, very

famous artists who've lost, you know,

271

their IP rights because they didn't

know how to protect it, et cetera.

272

So it's like that there was a feeling

of wanting to make things affordable.

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Yeah.

274

So that was the biggest thing in terms

of having to say no or people asking

275

me for discounts because I'm, you

know, another, another black woman.

276

It's like, Oh, like, you know,

hook me up because, you know, I

277

know you are, I know, X, Y, Z.

278

Having to deal with that was very

difficult, but in terms of, like,

279

getting, feeling like, I guess,

racist vibes, not necessarily.

280

I would say that in the online space,

I did notice that there were definitely

281

gaps, right, in terms of, like,

presenters or people, for example,

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at, like, summits or things like that.

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It was definitely not diverse.

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and not feeling comfortable pitching

or reaching out to those types

285

of groups because I, you know, I

didn't see anyone else like me.

286

So in that sense,

287

Chelsya: yes.

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Zara's reflections on her past work

experiences shaping her current

289

business ethos offer a valuable lesson.

290

It shows how both positive

and negative past professional

291

experiences can influence one's

approach to running a business.

292

Her desire to create a positive

work environment and client

293

experience based on her past roles.

294

is a testament to learning

from every opportunity.

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The discussion about pricing

challenges, especially as a woman

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of color in the legal field,

points out the unique challenges

297

minority entrepreneurs often face.

298

If you're a minority entrepreneur, one

of the realities you'll have to be aware

299

of is that there will likely be nuanced

challenges that you'll have to deal with.

300

However, while it's important to

bring awareness to those issues

301

and even work to solve them, don't

let them stop or distract you from

302

doing your part and your best.

303

Don't excuse your greatness

based on unfair challenges.

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So there you landed this one client.

305

And you had a lawsuit on your hands, not

against you, but against your client.

306

Did that happen when that client

was already in your roster?

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Or was like that client came to

you with this situation in mind?

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Zara: Came to this, that's

a very good question.

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Um, she came to us with this situation.

310

Actually, she didn't even tell us.

311

But she's a sweetheart.

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Like, she's just, she's a sweetheart.

313

She's so, she's a diva.

314

Like think of Mariah Carey.

315

She's, she's so, no, seriously.

316

Oh my gosh.

317

So she came to us after basically saying,

Hey, you know, I'm ready to trademark.

318

And we're like, okay, great.

319

So, well, you know, we're going to do

the comprehensive search, et cetera.

320

And then come to find out she emailed us.

321

She said, Hey, like I've been

dealing with these lawyers

322

and they won't leave me alone.

323

I told them like, I own this mark,

you know, it's not similar to theirs.

324

Can you take a look?

325

We take a look and it's

against Elle magazine.

326

They're lawyers in Paris and Basically,

there was a lot of negotiation happening

327

and she didn't tell us any of this.

328

So Yeah, so So basically we had to get on

the phone with her lawyers and lawyers in

329

Paris and they ended up actually retaining

other counsel So that call was canceled.

330

So we actually hired counsel in New York

They switched law firms and we spoke with

331

their lawyers in New York You Um, and they

were saying, Oh, her font is very similar.

332

I'm sure you can picture the

L magazine, the font, right?

333

It's pretty, like, pretty famous.

334

So they were saying how the L is very

similar to our client's work mark.

335

So our main argument was that

her business, she's a wedding

336

planner, wedding and event planner.

337

Our main argument was

that, okay, no problem.

338

We'll change the font, right?

339

But in terms of the actual services,

it's completely different, right?

340

Is L magazine going to go out

and plan a, plan a wedding?

341

Right.

342

That's what an office that service that

you offer, you're primarily a fashion,

343

you know, beauty magazine, right?

344

They're not offered that kind of service.

345

They're more so for product.

346

They're more so a product based business

So that was the crux of our argument

347

and we this was dragged out for a year

Finally one down there forget we got

348

an email and it said, you know We are

going to send over your settlement a

349

settlement agreement with you guys So

they finally agreed to settle it with us.

350

But it was a huge win.

351

Like, you know, after literally a

year back and forth, drafting briefs,

352

et cetera, you know, phone calls.

353

Finally they agreed to settle it with

us and they allow our client to keep

354

her name to plead, to keep the website.

355

But as long as we're not disclosing

, basically what happened, because they

356

don't want other people to, you know,

to think that they can get away with

357

it or not even get away with it, that

they can really, you know, fight back.

358

Yeah.

359

Yeah.

360

When you're a famous brand,

like you have superior rights.

361

Again, our biggest argument,

it makes no sense, right?

362

You can go to court and the judge

will definitely do one in our favor.

363

Like you're not offering

a similar service at all.

364

Like there's not going

to be any confusion.

365

So,

366

Chelsya: yeah.

367

And that makes sense.

368

And me hearing you kind of

sharing, I'm like, Oh yeah.

369

If I was on the other side, I would

be like, we're not fighting this.

370

Let's just settle.

371

We should have sued.

372

I think in my opinion,

but I'm not a lawyer.

373

Right.

374

Zara: No, no, no.

375

It's yeah.

376

It's a good, even a good question to ask.

377

Right.

378

Because.

379

When you're a famous mark or a well

known brand like that's your it's

380

your duty to police your trademark

So that's what they're doing.

381

Anyone who's trying to

register any variation of L.

382

They'll just send them a letter

They don't even pay attention

383

to look at the services.

384

So they're just sending you a letter.

385

And if you're in the business,

you're scared, right?

386

You're like, oh my gosh, an L

magazine is coming after me.

387

When you look at the details,

like there's no similarity here.

388

Right.

389

Chelsya: Yeah, okay.

390

So you are sitting here and

saying that so confidently, right?

391

And I'm sure it was making sense.

392

What was going through your

mind during this process?

393

Was it like A plus B equals C,

kind of how you're sharing it now?

394

Or any imposter syndrome kept in?

395

Like what happened?

396

What was the behind the scenes of

like CEO Zara instead of like lawyer

397

Zara: Zara?

398

That's a great question.

399

I don't know if imposter

syndrome is the word.

400

It's more so like, oh my gosh,

like I want to have like 15 years

401

of experience under my belt.

402

So maybe that is, I

guess, imposter syndrome.

403

Like it's like, I want to make sure

that I'm not prejudicing my client.

404

And it's funny because we actually

had conversations with two other

405

More experienced lawyers and they

didn't want to take the case like oh,

406

no like it's similar And I'm like,

what are you guys talking about?

407

So in the end like and she's so our

client is so appreciative like she

408

appreciates us so much because like we

believe it's the case And at a certain

409

point like I literally had like switch

turn on like, you know, like I know that

410

we're right I know that we're gonna win

this and we did So yeah, so it's like,

411

I did have a little bit of like worry.

412

It's like, oh my gosh, like again, like

I don't want to make sure I'm not gonna

413

like mess up her case kind of like

feeling, but once like I spoke to the

414

other attorneys, two other law firms

and like, I, I just did my research.

415

I just knew it was like, you know,

like, and I'm a very strong writer.

416

That's one thing I'm very confident about.

417

I know how to write.

418

So it's like, I know I got

this and then we were right.

419

Like, and I would never, I would,

I would have never taken her case.

420

Like if I wasn't confident that we

would have, you know, been successful.

421

Chelsya: Zara's experience here

provides an intriguing glimpse into the

422

complexities of intellectual property

law, particularly when it involves high

423

profile entities like Elle magazine.

424

Zara's initial hesitation and

self doubt, despite strong legal

425

grounds for her client's case,

resonates with professionals in all

426

fields who face imposter syndrome.

427

Her journey from uncertainty to

confidence upon deeper research

428

and consultation underlines the

importance of self trust and thorough

429

preparation in overcoming self doubt.

430

And what was that like throughout

the year of you having a deal

431

with back and forth, but also

simultaneously growing your business?

432

Zara: It was a lot, but luckily I

had my husband, he wasn't on our team

433

full time, but he would still help.

434

So having him help us was

really, really helpful.

435

But yeah, it's just, I had to, you know.

436

Take my take, excuse me, schedule time

out to like draft briefs, you know,

437

to my research, things like that.

438

But it was, it was relatively

manageable, believe it or not.

439

So it felt it wasn't,

it wasn't unmanageable.

440

It wasn't crazy.

441

So having this help was really helpful.

442

Chelsya: Actually, let's segue into that.

443

So your husband just joined

your firm, your firm.

444

Yes.

445

That's so exciting.

446

I know that's been like

a dream of both of yours.

447

What was the early conversations of that?

448

Were there any like.

449

Hesitations, any concerns

prior to making the decision?

450

Zara: Oh yeah, it was definitely a

dream of ours, literally since college.

451

Like Sean has always, he's a lawyer's

lawyer, he's always wanted to be a lawyer.

452

I actually went to medical school,

so I was on the pre med track

453

for a while, not for a while,

for like until my sophomore year.

454

And then I switched gears, but he

always wanted to, uh, be a lawyer.

455

And in, in college, you would joke

about having your own law firm

456

together and using our last names.

457

My last name is, uh, my main

and last name is Watson.

458

And then.

459

And my gosh, fast forward

to where we are now.

460

When I left in 2017, we were, we were

dating and he was my biggest supporter.

461

He also was like, you know,

now's the time, like if you're

462

going to start your own law firm,

like this is the time to do it.

463

And then we kind of, we thought

about like joining forces.

464

Like I think that was like, you know,

like, yes, maybe it will happen one

465

day, but like the way I positioned our

law firm was definitely very feminine.

466

So like, if you go back, my stuff is.

467

See, it's very, very female focused.

468

So I think that was a challenge now in

our transition, because, you know, for

469

five years, like I've been marketing to

just women, all of our content is like,

470

you know, women empowerment for, you

know, forget the patriarchy kind of thing.

471

So that on the pants.

472

Yes.

473

Yes.

474

So that's been a big transition

for us now in terms of like, you

475

know, our brand voice, like who

are, who are our target audiences.

476

And I don't want to lose that because

I've shared so much of my personal

477

story on my, our current Instagram.

478

We changed the name to Watson and Young.

479

So I think there were, there definitely

were a lot of hesitations in terms

480

of like how our clients would um,

You know, receive that, right?

481

It's like, Oh my gosh, like, wow,

there's a male now, you know,

482

handling my case or et cetera,

it's a different type of energy.

483

So having to teach him like our tone,

our brand, you know, our brand voice in

484

terms of like how we communicate with

clients, it's okay to use exclamation

485

marks, like little things like that.

486

That's been as silly as that sounds.

487

That's been like a change for us.

488

And even in our marketing, it's.

489

It's different, but it's

a good change, right?

490

It's like we're building with a legacy.

491

We have a daughter, so

it's just a dream, right?

492

And we're just thinking about

long term, and it's the direction

493

that I do want our firm to go in.

494

So we're still going to serve that same

client base, but we're expanding, right?

495

So.

496

Chelsya: Yeah, that's, that's, I

can, I can resonate with that dream.

497

My husband and I, you know, I think

I've mentioned this to you before,

498

like he has his own thing going on.

499

And every now and then we'll

like cross paths and I'll like.

500

Just the other day, he was

like, do you want to come on?

501

Like, you can be like our fractional CMO.

502

I'll be your last choice.

503

Well, if you can't find anyone else

that fits the mold, I'll, I'll be there.

504

Cause we knew our dynamics, but.

505

What has that dynamic been like

with you first starting the

506

business and then him coming in?

507

And I'm even curious to hear like the

if you don't mind sharing like this

508

behind the scenes or the thought process

of like changing the name because I

509

know I think I had started following

you Right before you were about to make

510

the change in your, in your handle.

511

Yeah.

512

Yeah, tell us about that.

513

Oh,

514

Zara: that was so hard.

515

It was, I was like, oh my gosh.

516

It's literally, I felt like I was losing

an identity, to be honest with you.

517

But in terms of like our roles

now, so I'm still like the founder.

518

Um, I'm definitely still the CEO

in terms of like our systems.

519

Like I know all that stuff,

you know, from the back of my

520

hand, so I can't let that go.

521

But in terms of networking and

litigation matters, negotiation,

522

that is strong, Sean's strength and

expertise that that's actually in

523

the world that he's coming from.

524

He's a litigator.

525

He litigates, or he used to litigate,

my God, like 10, 15 cases a day.

526

Like he's a beast.

527

I'm not, I'm not even kidding.

528

So that's his strength.

529

So, yeah.

530

So in terms of like that, so

client relations, networking,

531

like he's a, he's a great like

networker and a great communicator.

532

And that's one thing that we

want to definitely bring out

533

more in our marketing, but

he's still behind the scenes.

534

So.

535

Yeah, and we're also still defining

his role, if that makes sense.

536

So it's like, I'm still like very

much so, you know, again, CEO,

537

still very much so front facing

when it comes to our marketing.

538

So we're still trying to define

those roles, but like, in terms

539

of who's the main litigator

and negotiator, that is Jones.

540

And we, we have a lot of disputes.

541

And I don't think, you

may not know about that.

542

We don't really, advertises a lot,

but we do have a lot of disputes.

543

So he is our front facing for that.

544

Chelsya: This conversation about

integrating Zara's husband into the law

545

firm reveals the complex dynamics of

merging personal and professional lives.

546

This move demonstrates a significant

shift not only in the business model, but

547

also in personal roles and relationships.

548

How do couples navigate the intersection

of their professional ambitions and

549

And then there is the process of

rebranding for an audience and also

550

establishing roles in the company.

551

Zara mentions that at a certain

point she felt like she was

552

losing part of her identity.

553

This is a relatable experience

for many entrepreneurs who go

554

through significant transitions.

555

It's a candid look at the emotional

aspects of evolving a business that has

556

been closely tied to personal identity.

557

What does that look like where So

you're, you're pregnant and you're

558

just entered your second semester.

559

I know that you are wanting to be

hands off or like starting that

560

leave pretty much March ish, right?

561

Yeah.

562

April.

563

How does that make you feel?

564

Zara: Nervous.

565

I love what I do.

566

I love, I, I've, I'm always working.

567

So it's like, and I don't,

I don't know how to put it.

568

I don't look at it always as work, right?

569

It's like when you're doing the

visionary stuff, that's fun.

570

So it's, It's going to be hard, even

that right now, you know, I'm, I'm

571

recovering from a cold and even that's

been hard to like cancel things or

572

like take time off to do things.

573

So it, it is going to be a big change.

574

And when I had my, my, my daughter,

my first daughter, we were in, we

575

are in a very different position

from where we were, you know.

576

Two and a half years ago.

577

So yeah, it's, it's going to be

a change, but yeah, we have help.

578

We have, you know, paralegal

now and who's incredible.

579

So she's, it's going to be

three months next month.

580

So I'm actually planning on having

a conversation with her in terms of

581

like taking more initiative, like,

you know, just really just taking

582

the reins on certain things because

we have to start planning for that.

583

Right.

584

So.

585

Hiring someone else.

586

That's a, that's a big goal of mine as

well, before I go on maternity leave.

587

So we shall.

588

Chelsya: Cause I know that was

something on your kind of accountability

589

list to have by, um, April.

590

What are some of the steps that

you're taking right now to make sure

591

that your business is like ready

for your departure for the next.

592

For like, I say departure, but

really like just absence for three

593

or four months or whatever it is.

594

Zara: That's a really good question.

595

So this past year, we hired

someone to do SOPs and really

596

just tighten up our system.

597

So that's one thing I'm

598

Um, just having all that stuff in

place and that's helped me a lot

599

in terms of, you know, onboarding,

um, chances are paralegal.

600

Um, and then any new hires.

601

So I think if anything, it's going

to be refining those SOPs, um, and

602

having my next hire, I would love

that person to be able to take

603

sales calls, sales calls for us.

604

So really I have an SOP for that.

605

So really like have, you know, refining

that practicing that person, even for

606

me, like making sure, like most of

what I want set on that call is, you

607

know, Is, is what I want people to say.

608

So I think in terms of steps,

that's really what we're doing.

609

We're finding our systems, our processes,

even Sean, he's going to have to take

610

over a lot of those sales calls for us.

611

So that's also preparing him for that.

612

And also I do right now, I'm still

doing a lot of team management.

613

So handing that off to him, like

teaching him how to do that.

614

Cause we work with other

contractors, not only our paralegal.

615

So showing him how to handle that.

616

Chelsya: Yeah.

617

Oh my gosh.

618

You sound like such a superwoman.

619

Oh.

620

What you're doing, becoming

a toddler and then pregnant.

621

I'm like, whoa.

622

I can't.

623

Thank you.

624

That's amazing.

625

Let's see.

626

Okay.

627

This question is, so I've always been

Every now and then I'll think about

628

like, what would it be like if I took a

director of marketing role or like a CMO

629

role and like climb the corporate ladder.

630

Imagine with you being in New York,

right, and having this like hustle

631

and bustle feel and being a lawyer.

632

Has it ever crossed your mind of like,

maybe being a part of like, law firms in

633

New York, instead of running your own,

634

Zara: you mean like working

for another law firm, exactly.

635

And I guess climbing

that corporate ladder.

636

Not for me.

637

I knew I, even at the law firm I was, I

was in before, like, I knew that wasn't,

638

I was like, um, this is just not for me.

639

I have to do my own thing.

640

Um, especially when it comes to

corporate law firms, they are,

641

it's, I'm sure you've heard stories.

642

It's very brutal, especially

for a woman, a woman of color.

643

And, A mom, right?

644

It's not easy.

645

A lot of people, they don't, they

don't, they don't work, especially

646

for big law firms for a very long

time because it's just so genuine.

647

So draining and the partners,

they don't understand like you're

648

working at all hours of the night.

649

So it's just not sustainable.

650

And I

651

Zara: knew, and I knew that,

and I knew that I never wanted

652

to go that route, so, yeah.

653

I'd rather create my own, we're gonna

be, we're gonna become the top law firm

654

for intellectual property in New York.

655

Yes, oh

656

Chelsya: my gosh, you already

have way better branding than

657

Zara: that.

658

Chelsya: Where is, where

is Watson and Young

659

Zara: headed in like the next five years?

660

Having a permanent physical location, like

a brick and mortar, that is our dream.

661

Somewhere in the city, we're

in Queens, so we're about 30

662

minutes outside of the city.

663

So yeah, it's, Sean and I talk about

it all the time here at Pinterest

664

for, like, that is a dream of ours to

have an actual, like, headquarters.

665

Um,

666

Zara: and we haven't thought about

expanding, like, out of state, but

667

definitely, like, New York, that

would be, like, our, you know, again,

668

our flagship, our headquarters.

669

And just expanding our reach, having

courses, we've been very hesitant

670

to have a course on trademark law

specifically, as for us, it just feels

671

a little unethical because there's

so many nuances in the process.

672

It's

673

Zara: very tricky in terms of, you know, I

don't know if you've trademarked, but like

674

the classifications or things like that.

675

So we've been trying to find a way

to make it ethical, but for now, I

676

think what we would do is kind of

like a legal foundations course, you

677

know, what you need, you know, and

information and your contracts, you know,

678

intellectual property, things like that.

679

So definitely, of course, we already

have our contract template shop,

680

which has been a blessing to have.

681

Yes.

682

It's been passive.

683

We do not, I no longer market it.

684

You haven't heard me talk about it.

685

I used to market.

686

I don't anymore, which 2023 probably

will start a whole separate story.

687

So we, what I'm trying to say is

that we have, you know, a few things

688

in place now, but in terms of like

trying to expand our impact, right?

689

So we have our contract templates, having

a legal foundations course, we have my

690

gosh, so many blog posts, increasing our,

um, free lead magnets, things like that,

691

just to, you know, help more people.

692

And then one day, maybe having

some sort of trademark course,

693

just doing it the right way,

694

which

695

Zara: looks good because we've been

in business for, you know, I've

696

been doing this for five years.

697

So it's like, by the time that I do launch

it, like, I know that it's like, it's

698

going to be very reputable because I've

taken so, you know, to actually make it.

699

So

700

Chelsya: yeah, no, I agree.

701

Actually, let's talk

about that a little bit.

702

So what has, I'm curious to hear your

thoughts on like the online industry,

703

you know, I know that from your stance

and what you get to do, it's easy to

704

kind of distinct what is ethical and

what isn't ethical, or like how to

705

get involved things in an ethical way.

706

But what is like, What are some, if

you have had them, like hard thoughts

707

that you've had about industry since

being on, being in the industry?

708

Zara: It's funny.

709

I feel like I've seen it change in

terms of a marketing perspective.

710

Like when I was on it, there were

no, there were no Instagram stories.

711

It was just like, People just

posting pictures, you know, and video

712

content, that was like very rare.

713

So I've definitely, I'm grateful

to have seen that progression.

714

But in terms of online, um, you

know, business owners and just

715

the industry or the space in

general, it's the wild wild west.

716

You have to be very careful the

service providers you're hiring.

717

I cannot tell you how many contract

disputes we handle of people paying

718

service providers and they ghost clients.

719

Like I'm, we're doing one

right now and it's just, that

720

happens very often, very often.

721

Yes.

722

Or coaching services, clients

will hire a coach for like, we'll

723

do like a 12 month container.

724

They breach the contract, they disappear.

725

Chelsya: Oh my gosh.

726

As a service provider, I'm like going to

bed at night, taking someone's money and

727

not doing anything and ghosting them.

728

You know, it's, it's insane.

729

Zara: But it happens.

730

So I just think you have to

be very careful, you know,

731

doing your due diligence.

732

And you know, it's especially

on Instagram, right?

733

Like people are posting

like their highlight reel.

734

So you have to be very careful

with that marketing, right?

735

Like doing again, doing your due

diligence, getting referrals,

736

seeing testimonials, really just

really doing your digging before you

737

purchase because you just never know.

738

Right.

739

Chelsya: Zara's nervousness surrounding

her upcoming maternity leave is

740

relatable for many female professionals.

741

The challenge of stepping back from work

you love, and the uncertainty of how

742

an absence might impact your business.

743

However, Zara took the necessary

steps to delegate and hire new staff.

744

This is a difficult task in

itself, but it reflects a proactive

745

approach to business continuity.

746

This is an excellent example of

how forward thinking can ensure

747

stability and growth, even in

times of personal transition.

748

But of course, you wouldn't have to make

these decisions if you worked a corporate

749

job instead of being an entrepreneur.

750

Zara's reflection on why she chose

entrepreneurship over a corporate

751

law career provides insight into

the trade offs and decisions

752

faced by many professionals.

753

And while she chose entrepreneurship,

Know that it's not for everyone.

754

If you're hearing her story and

you have doubts that this is the

755

pathway for you, that's okay.

756

Sit with that and try to make

informed decisions before you leap

757

full on into entrepreneurship.

758

Yes, to your point.

759

So I was just thinking about how

recently a lot of trademark attorneys

760

have like shown up on my feed.

761

I didn't know that there

were so many in the industry.

762

I was like, oh, three or five, you know?

763

No,

764

Zara: there's like tens, twenties.

765

No, no, no.

766

I know.

767

I'm saying ever since I

started, it's a newer thing.

768

We can get into that, but go ahead.

769

Chelsya: Yes, yes, yes, yes.

770

So something that I realized is you have

done a really great job or I noticed

771

is you've done a really great job at

establishing a brand of integrity and

772

like being super clear in that, being

super clear and like just your, your

773

guys professionalism, like it feels like,

like you're serving the online industry,

774

but in a way where it feels I don't mean

this in a bad way, like a corporate law,

775

but like gentle corporate law, right?

776

Like, it's like, we know

we'll be taken care of.

777

That's my goal.

778

I'm so happy.

779

Yeah, I know.

780

It's, it's very evident.

781

What, what's been the key to that?

782

What do you feel like attributes to that?

783

Zara: You know, that's

a really good question.

784

And it's honestly from my past

work experiences, not necessarily

785

from the online space, because

joining the online space, I kind

786

of wanted to be more approachable.

787

Like law firm and I feel like

that's one thing that I don't know.

788

I don't know how that comes across.

789

because we want to be very professional.

790

And I'm so happy you said that because

we want people to feel like, you know,

791

we are like the gym and we're gonna take

care of you and we are professional.

792

So that's been a struggle when it comes

to marketing, especially on Instagram, but

793

it comes from my past work experiences.

794

I, when I first graduated from college,

I worked at the most incredible place.

795

I call it Disneyland.

796

Like it was a private, not even, it

was not, but the way they treated us,

797

it was like the best place to work.

798

It was a private nonprofit and

they were doing autism research and

799

the founders were just incredible.

800

Like it was my first, it was

the first time I ever saw an

801

SOP and I didn't realize that at

the time I was a receptionist.

802

And they're like, Zara, can you

document, you know, XYZ for us?

803

I'm like, okay, sure.

804

And looking back, I'm like, oh wow,

like I was doing like SOPs and they had

805

like amazing team building activities.

806

We have like performance reviews.

807

They would take everyone on trips.

808

Literally it's like incredible islands.

809

Everyone, they had a beautiful

like lunchroom for us.

810

We were able to order

our lunch on their tab.

811

And it was just like, I can go on and on.

812

Like there were so many.

813

So many amazing perks.

814

And I said, wow, whenever I start my

own business, I want it to be like this.

815

After that, when I had my, I

had a law firm internship, it

816

was night and day, a nightmare.

817

They had no systems, you know, it

was just the worst place to work.

818

And then I worked for the, my

most, uh, law firm that I worked

819

for prior to starting my law firm.

820

They had no systems.

821

Every man was for themselves.

822

Basically a woman was for themselves.

823

I had to literally figure

out everything on my own.

824

And I said, never again, like whenever

I start my own thing like I want it to

825

be like done professionally in terms

of a system standpoint, and I want my

826

clients to know that I care about them,

and like that we are here to get them,

827

you know, results right but in a, I

want them to have a great experience.

828

So I think the experience piece was, has

always been a big thing for me, and that

829

stemmed from that private nonprofit.

830

So, and the other, and the other

bad experiences that I had.

831

So those experiences definitely shaped,

you know, who we are today as a firm.

832

And also in terms of the online space,

like, you know, there, as you can see,

833

there are a lot of different trademark

attorneys, but it's like, I've always

834

wanted to be like, Almost like a big law

firm, but like the big law firm vibe,

835

but like still very approachable in

terms of like our, um, professionals.

836

And I want people to know

that this is serious.

837

Like we take this very seriously.

838

So

839

Chelsya: I definitely get that vibe.

840

I love that you shared that because

what comes to mind or what I'm hearing

841

is like, if comes from the top down,

CEOs were very, Attentive to your, the

842

team founders are very like caring and

you're doing the same to your team and

843

you're making it, it shows in like every

aspect of your business, including your

844

marketing and including your messaging.

845

So that's such a, such a

good point to bring on.

846

Zara: I would say, I

feel like I can't help.

847

But not talk about this in terms of like

protecting your brand, protecting your

848

business, not only through trademarking.

849

I feel like a lot of business

owners, they like really delay that.

850

And I get it.

851

Right.

852

It's like you want to

go to everything else.

853

Legal is not fun.

854

I understand.

855

But like, you know, I think

it's just so important to really

856

get the foundations in place.

857

Having the entity formation to protect

you from liability, having your contracts.

858

I cannot tell you Chelsea, like.

859

The experienced business owners that we

work with and their contracts, you know,

860

they're not, they're not done properly.

861

And that's okay.

862

Right.

863

If you know that it's like, make

sure that it's done correctly at

864

some point, you know, protecting your

intellectual property, especially

865

as a person who's marketing online,

it's super important, right?

866

Again, the internet is a wild, wild

West protect what you are creating.

867

So yes.

868

Brand protection is very, very important.

869

Chelsya: I love it.

870

You're such a, such a natural trademark.

871

Lawyer.

872

Zara: I can't be on here

and not talk about it.

873

Don't worry.

874

It'll be there.

875

Chelsya: So, totally resonate with that.

876

What do you feel like is, what would

you say for someone, if like, let's

877

say, babies are, you know, came

up to you and was like, this is

878

just, this is what just happened.

879

Zara: Yeah.

880

Chelsya: What would be your response?

881

Zara: Yeah, I would say, To keep going,

don't definitely do not let that stop you.

882

This is something that's funny.

883

I had this conversation recently and

someone was telling me they're like,

884

I'm they're nervous about marketing.

885

And I was like, at the end of the

day, it's like, not about you.

886

Right.

887

It's like, what is your mission?

888

What is your end goal?

889

Who are you serving?

890

Right.

891

It's like, you have to

focus on that and know that.

892

Those people, like they'll go away, right?

893

Your mission is bigger than that.

894

I don't know how to,

how else to explain it.

895

It's like, it hurts when those things

happen to you, or maybe it'll make

896

you feel uncomfortable, but at the

end of the day, it's like, your

897

mission is way bigger than that.

898

Like, no, like in a sense, like know your

worth, like know what you've done in the

899

past, like, you know, remember your client

wins, remember the impact that you've had.

900

Because again, like.

901

That is worth so much more, right?

902

Like helping someone or like, for

example, in my situation, helping like

903

a business owner own their trademark

is just so much more like impactful and

904

powerful than having some, you know,

douchebag say something, you know,

905

racist or having, you know, to feel.

906

That you have to be a certain way

to make certain people like you.

907

It's just not, it's just not worth it.

908

Right.

909

Like, remember like the bigger vision, the

bigger mission that you're here to serve.

910

And it's like, you know, it over time,

you'll be able to overcome that, right.

911

With, with your experience,

you're going to feel confidence.

912

I hope that answers your question,

but that's kind of how I've

913

had to deal with it in a way.

914

It's like, I remember when I first

915

like what, like, I remember I went to an

alumni networking event in the city and

916

I was telling people what I was doing.

917

And I was, again, the very, like, very,

I think one of, you know, very few

918

black women in the room just in general.

919

And when

920

Zara: I spoke to another, another, a

few other lawyers who were not people

921

of color, they looked at me and they

were just like, okay, that's great.

922

You know, like.

923

You know, okay, great little

girl, like go somewhere else.

924

Yeah.

925

I, if I had, I let that stop me, you

know, I would not be where I am today.

926

I wouldn't have helped the

business owners that I helped.

927

So, you know, it's hurtful, but.

928

Your mission is way bigger than that.

929

And you will like you're over time.

930

You're going to build that confidence.

931

Like now I don't even think about that.

932

Chelsya: It's amazing.

933

I cannot wait to get to that point.

934

I love what you said when

you're like, it's not about you.

935

That's so true.

936

It is not.

937

Yeah, and it's so much harder.

938

I will admit, like, it's harder to

think about that in the moment, right?

939

Like, you just want to wallow in your,

like, annoyance, anger, frustration.

940

But truthfully, it's like, you're

wanting to do this to create impact for

941

other people, so it's not about you.

942

You just have to put those

blinders on and, like, keep going.

943

Even in the

944

Zara: sense of the person

who said it to you, right?

945

It's not about you.

946

It's them, like they're dealing with

something, like who says, you know, like

947

why not to say something negative to you?

948

Like that, that just goes to show it's

really not you, it's that person, right?

949

So that helps as well.

950

And I've had to build that over time.

951

Practice.

952

Chelsya: Totally practice.

953

Zara: I

954

Chelsya: love that.

955

Oh my gosh, I was just thinking

about how I had a conversation

956

with my husband a couple weeks ago.

957

He's right now in his funding stage

for his startup and he's been, I swear,

958

like I could never run a tech startup.

959

I could never do it or I could, I just

wouldn't go through like investments and

960

like invest around and stuff like that.

961

They, it's like nose

after nose after nose.

962

And I'm like, how?

963

Do you not give up after hearing

so many no's to fund this idea?

964

And then he went to this one event,

this like tech startup event in

965

Atlanta and ran into this VC fund

that, or this partner of a VC fund

966

predominantly for Black founders.

967

And from there, like he's been met with

nose or like, you're too early or this is

968

too risky or all these different things.

969

And the moment he met this person, she

immediately linked up with him, put him

970

on his schedule, connected him with all

of these other VC funds in the area.

971

They're specifically for black

founders and like moved mountains.

972

I love that.

973

Just to make him, like, be in the running,

and now he's the furthest he's ever been.

974

Like, he's on the very, very

last round of the due diligence

975

and of, like, the data room.

976

And so it's like, he is so close.

977

And he was talking about how he

attributes this to, like, the of just

978

focusing on, like, instead of focusing

on all of the no's or all of the

979

judgements or all of the, like, lacks.

980

He's, like, focusing on how a fellow Black

founder and supporter is, like, helping

981

him, like, just lifting him up and he

wants to continue to do the same, but he

982

can't continue to do the same if he, like,

sits there and, like, thinks about all

983

those no's and, like, wallows in them.

984

Zara: I agree.

985

That's amazing.

986

I love that.

987

Yeah.

988

Chelsya: Business is hard.

989

Zara: And you will hear no's, right?

990

That's just part of the, of the journey.

991

Um,

992

Zara: someone once told me if you keep

hearing no, then you're talking to

993

the wrong people, which I really like.

994

And I think that's very true, right?

995

It's like, there is someone

out there for everyone.

996

And you're bound to find,

to find your people, right?

997

To find your community, the people

who vibe with you, who support you,

998

who believe in what you're doing.

999

So, hold up until you find those people.

00:47:52,974 --> 00:47:56,059

Chelsya: Talking to Zara about

her journey, We take away several

00:47:56,059 --> 00:47:59,499

lessons involving crucial themes

such as the importance of brand

00:47:59,499 --> 00:48:03,499

integrity, professionalism, and

the challenges of being a woman

00:48:03,509 --> 00:48:05,359

of color in a competitive field.

00:48:05,709 --> 00:48:09,599

This discussion not only highlighted

Zara's achievements, but also touched

00:48:09,629 --> 00:48:11,979

on broader industry and societal issues.

00:48:12,459 --> 00:48:16,849

Issues that you will likely run into, so

it's imperative that you take the lessons

00:48:16,849 --> 00:48:20,769

and life of Zara, and use it as one of

your many textbooks on this journey.

00:48:21,189 --> 00:48:24,379

I want to thank Zara for sharing

her inspiring story, and I

00:48:24,379 --> 00:48:25,719

hope you take advantage of it.

00:48:31,709 --> 00:48:33,759

Thank you for tuning

in to today's episode.

00:48:34,039 --> 00:48:38,099

We couldn't have done it without the hard

work and dedication of our amazing team.

00:48:38,649 --> 00:48:41,449

A special thanks to Kimberly

and Brandon for their incredible

00:48:41,449 --> 00:48:43,339

scripting and quality checking skills.

00:48:44,029 --> 00:48:46,209

Andrew for his exceptional audio design.

00:48:46,344 --> 00:48:49,504

And Addy for our outstanding

graphics and marketing support.

00:48:49,654 --> 00:48:52,564

And of course, a huge thanks

to our guests for sharing their

00:48:52,564 --> 00:48:54,494

passion and story with us today.

00:48:54,594 --> 00:48:57,704

Be sure to check out the show notes

for an exclusive blog interview

00:48:57,704 --> 00:49:00,824

with our guest, as well as links

to support them and their business.

00:49:01,234 --> 00:49:03,744

And don't forget to leave a

review and share this podcast

00:49:03,764 --> 00:49:05,054

on your social media stories.

00:49:05,314 --> 00:49:08,174

We appreciate your support and

can't wait to bring you more

00:49:08,174 --> 00:49:09,654

great content in the future.

00:49:10,284 --> 00:49:11,514

Thanks again for listening.