Blogger Interview With The TaxGirl: Kelly Phillips-Erb
Any woman who hyphenates her last name is strong, assured and commands respect, right? Of course! Our uber-editor for the Business Channel here at b5media has so kindly given me an interview and offered some insight on her life as a professional business woman and as a busy mom of three. She’s very active in the blogosphere and a savvy business woman who is chock full of personality and style. Visit her blog at TaxGirl to read her fun tax blog and find more places where Kelly is hovering on the Internet. Enjoy!
[photo source: b5media.com]
What kind of business industry are you in? How long?
I’m an attorney. I’ve been practicing for (gasp) 11 years now.
How did you get started?
For some reason, I think I always knew that I was going to be a lawyer. My great-grandmother used to say that I argued like a “Philadelphia Lawyer”. I guess she was right. I didn’t grow up around lawyers. I didn’t know anyone who graduated from law school or college. So, I had to kind of feel my way around and trust my instincts. After law school, I took a job in private practice. I moved on to a bigger firm. And then one day, I decided that I could manage my own firm. So, I convinced my husband to quit his job and join me. We’ve been open now for 8 years.
What are some important issues for aspiring business women?
Support of those that love you. Running a business can be tough. It’s impossible to have a business without a sounding board, even if it’s just your best friend to listen to you whine.
A plan. I’m spontaneous, for the most part. But in business, you need a plan.
Financing. Business costs money. Money is the most stressful part of running the business, in my opinion. Don’t go into a business thinking that the money will work itself out.
Resolve. There are great days when you run your own business. But there are also days that really suck. Be sure that you’re ready and that you can make it stick.
Do you think women are making a significant economic impact in business?
There’s lots of work still to do. In the legal industry, for example, only a small percentage of partners are women, despite the fact that 50% of law school grads are women. There are few women CEOs of major companies. Women
often get started in business but many can’t get past the barriers to success.
Do you have a family? How have you managed to balance family and work?
I have three small children at home; one is in kindergarten, one in preschool and the other stays home with me. When my children were very small, I took them with me to lots of meetings. When they got older, they went with me to the office.
As technology improved, it became easier for me to work from home. Now, I spend a majority of my time at my home office. It’s networked and wired, so it’s almost like I’m at the office. When I can’t be with the children at a seminar or client meeting, my husband fills in.
What are some marketing strategies that you use to market your business?
I am my business - I don’t have a product to sell other than my legal advice. So it’s important that I be at front of any marketing efforts. I network a lot. I’m involved in my community and in the legal community -that has helped me get my name out. Additionally, the firm has a web site and a popular e-newsletter. Most importantly, maybe, is my freelance writing. I write a monthly column for our local legal journal and I submit articles and participate in interviews for other publications (I’ve been in Forbes, ABA Journal, etc.). I also have a tax law blog at www.taxgirl.com.
If you could start your business all over again, what would you do differently?
I would have saved more money. I wasn’t prepared for the huge cut in pay and the unexpected expenses. It was brutal in the beginning. While working for yourself is rarely about the money, it should be a serious consideration.
What are some mistakes that women make when going into business?:
I think women are often too quick to take “no” for an answer. Women need to be more assertive and know where to go for answers. Men in business tend to be more aggressive. I’m amazed at how quick many of the men I know are to market whereas women tend to hang back, fearful that they will be viewed negatively. You can’t be afraid in business. Well, you can be afraid - but you shouldn’t show it.
I also think that managing home and business is a huge obstacle. You have to have a plan or you will give too little to both.
If someone offered to buy your business, say for a million dollars, would you sell it?
Yes. This isn’t to say that I don’t love my work. I do. However, running your own business is difficult work and takes long hours. Since legal work is subject to deadlines and court appearances outside of your control, your schedule is never your own. I would be willing to give up the unstable hours.
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POSTED IN: Interviews
1 opinion for Blogger Interview With The TaxGirl: Kelly Phillips-Erb
annalaura brown
Apr 30, 2008 at 11:03 am
this is very interesting. Ironically, I find that I would answer many of her questions in the same way. She also proves that you can do business with children. More power to her.
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