Going solo takes more than legal skill: it calls for business development, financial planning, and a clear-eyed view of what running a firm involves. This conversation explores how lawyers can prepare for the leap—and avoid losing focus once they make it. In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Anthonia Berry discuss: Limiting beliefs and readiness for entrepreneurship Business development, marketing, and client service Firm finances and back-office operations Staying focused and building an authentic practice Delegation, coaching, and financial runway Key Takeaways: Confidence grows when lawyers understand their value and prepare for the business side of practice. A successful firm requires both client development and the capacity to serve and retain clients. Before launching, understand the financials, back-office needs, and operating costs—including a realistic cash buffer. Focus on a clear practice lane before pursuing new opportunities or expanding into unrelated areas. Delegate specialized operational work and use experienced coaches or advisors to uncover blind spots. "One piece of advice that I will give to any attorney that's starting a law firm or anybody who's starting a business is figure out what your lane is and go all the way down that lane, and really get entrenched in it before you think about making a left or a right turn, because if you continue to be distracted, you will not get anything done. You will be always chasing the next thing." — Anthonia Berry Check out my new show, Be That Lawyer Coaches Corner, and get the strategies I use with my clients to win more business and love your career again. Join the Be That Lawyer Community and connect with ambitious lawyers who are serious about growing their book of business, strengthening their brand, and becoming confident, consistent rainmakers. Ready to go from good to GOAT in your legal marketing game? Don’t miss PIMCON—where the brightest minds in professional services gather to share what really works. Lock in your spot now: https://www.pimcon.org/ Thank you to our Sponsor! LEX Reception: https://www.lexreception.com/partners/bethatlawyer Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ Lawyer.com: https://www.lawyer.com/ Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ About Anthonia Berry: Anthonia Berry is the Chief Executive Officer of Strategy Academy, bringing two decades of experience working with national and international law firms to drive business development and revenue growth. Holding an MBA, she specializes in crafting tailored, action-oriented strategies that help attorneys build sustainable practices and expand their books of business in a competitive market. Through Strategy Academy, Anthonia provides law firms of all sizes with comprehensive growth frameworks, actionable insights, and customized guidance designed to foster long-term success and strong community impact. Connect with Anthonia Berry: Website: https://strategyacademy.us/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthoniasberry/ Connect with Steve Fretzin: LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin Twitter: @stevefretzin Instagram: @fretzinsteve Facebook: Fretzin, Inc. Website: Fretzin.com Email: Steve@Fretzin.com Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more! YouTube: Steve Fretzin Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Going solo takes more than legal skill: it calls for business development, financial planning, and a clear-eyed view of what running a firm involves. This conversation explores how lawyers can prepare for the leap—and avoid losing focus once they make it.
In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Anthonia Berry discuss:
Key Takeaways:
"One piece of advice that I will give to any attorney that's starting a law firm or anybody who's starting a business is figure out what your lane is and go all the way down that lane, and really get entrenched in it before you think about making a left or a right turn, because if you continue to be distracted, you will not get anything done. You will be always chasing the next thing." — Anthonia Berry
Check out my new show, Be That Lawyer Coaches Corner, and get the strategies I use with my clients to win more business and love your career again.
Join the Be That Lawyer Community and connect with ambitious lawyers who are serious about growing their book of business, strengthening their brand, and becoming confident, consistent rainmakers.
Ready to go from good to GOAT in your legal marketing game? Don’t miss PIMCON—where the brightest minds in professional services gather to share what really works. Lock in your spot now: https://www.pimcon.org/
Thank you to our Sponsor!
LEX Reception: https://www.lexreception.com/partners/bethatlawyer
Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/
Lawyer.com: https://www.lawyer.com/
Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/
About Anthonia Berry: Anthonia Berry is the Chief Executive Officer of Strategy Academy, bringing two decades of experience working with national and international law firms to drive business development and revenue growth. Holding an MBA, she specializes in crafting tailored, action-oriented strategies that help attorneys build sustainable practices and expand their books of business in a competitive market. Through Strategy Academy, Anthonia provides law firms of all sizes with comprehensive growth frameworks, actionable insights, and customized guidance designed to foster long-term success and strong community impact.
Connect with Anthonia Berry:
Website: https://strategyacademy.us/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthoniasberry/
Connect with Steve Fretzin:
LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin
Twitter: @stevefretzin
Instagram: @fretzinsteve
Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.
Website: Fretzin.com
Email: Steve@Fretzin.com
Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!
YouTube: Steve Fretzin
Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.