We start family law practices for a variety of reasons. Some of us do it because we need a job. Some of us do it because we hate our boss. Some of us do it because we imagine it as nirvana. Some of us do it because it’s an exact fit for our talents, skills and abilities.
A quiz published in the Harvard Business Review is designed to tell you whether you’ve got what it takes to be an entrepreneur. I think it applies equally well to starting a family law practice. It’s called the Isenberg Entrepreneur Test and was developed after years of studying successful entrepreneurs. Answer each of the following with a yes or a no.
1. I don’t like being told what to do by people who are less capable than I am.
2. I like challenging myself.
3. I like to win.
4. I like being my own boss.
5. I always look for new and better ways to do things.
6. I like to question conventional wisdom.
7. I like to get people together in order to get things done.
8. People get excited by my ideas.
9. I am rarely satisfied or complacent.
10. I can’t sit still.
11. I can usually work my way out of a difficult situation.
12. I would rather fail at my own thing than succeed at someone else’s.
13. Whenever there is a problem, I am ready to jump right in.
14. I think old dogs can learn – even invent – new tricks.
15. Members of my family run their own businesses.
16. I have friends who run their own businesses.
17. I worked after school and during vacations when I was growing up.
18. I get an adrenaline rush from selling things.
19. I am exhilarated by achieving results.
20. I could have written a better test than this (and here is what I would change -.)
If you answered “yes” to at least 17 of the questions, you should be running your own business.
Take note that “I want to be rich” and “I like to take risks” aren’t on the quiz. The professor’s study shows that a desire for wealth and risky behavior aren’t core traits of successful entrepreneurs.
The traits of a successful entrepreneur are the much the same as those of a successful attorney starting a family law practice. Should you be opening your own office?
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Lee Rosen has practiced family law for more than twenty years. With three offices, 