This week, we had the pleasure of "interviewing" the Ashmore's about starting Ashmore and Ashmore, 8 years ago today! Here's what they had to say!
How long has AX2 been in business?
Jen: The firm started in 2014
KC: Eight years
Tell us about the first moment you had the idea to start your own law firm? Was it an instant thought that became reality soon after, or did it take a lot of time to get to the point of opening your doors.
Jen: KC wanted to start his own practice for a long time and we investigated different places and locations. Finally, he was in a position in his firm where it was no longer a good fit and he decided there was never going to be a better time to jump in and do it! I followed a few months later.
KC: Starting my own law firm business was a long time coming for me, I was working towards this for years, but hesitated because I felt that I had to follow the "good advice" of an author that I count as a mentor, even if it was an informal mentor. I discovered this author, John Grisham, and his inspiring works, in the late 90s and early 2000s. John Grisham, in his book "A Time to Kill," urged his fictional young lawyer, (and informally any one who he mentored through his novels), to "work for 10 years learning their trade, then go out on your own, and save the world one case at a time." I would say that this influence helped me start my plan to learn my craft, and also to know when it was time to go out and open this business.
How many employees did you start with?
Jen: We started with just KC, then just KC and me, and eventually we got our first employee - a legal assistant.
KC: Just me, just one, when we first started in 2014.
Why did you choose Rockwall?
Jen: We love this community and this is where we wanted to raise our family.
KC: We moved to Rockwall in 2010 to start our family, and when our son Micheal was born it just made sense to be close to our family, to stop that long drive into the DFW metroplex, and start our business where we wanted to be, which was here in Rockwall.
What is your greatest accomplishment in the years you’ve been open?
Jen: We are still here and growing! And we are still married to each other!
KC: I feel our greatest accomplishment was the ability to not lay off one single person during the covid pandemic; we survived and thrived during that entire year plus. We made a commitment during the lock down to "emulate the great," be like other great companies in other great economic challenges, and keep our team together and we did that!
If you could go back to the start, would you do anything differently?
Jen: Expanded faster and employed more people sooner!
KC: I would have written our firm's core values first, before we started anything. We use them now as the touchstone of all our business decisions.
If you had to give ONE piece of advice to a potential future law firm owner, what would it be?
Jen: Opening a new law firm is like starting a family - there is never a perfect time and the good stuff outweighs the scary and unknown! Go for it!
KC: You can start sooner than you think! You can get in a position to start sooner by continuing to invest in yourself and your self development every chance you get.
How can Ashmore & Ashmore serve you today? For more information, visit our website: www.ashmorelawfirm.com
