Mika Mooney Makes Legal Counsel Approachable and Accessible for Founders

Hi, Mika! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:

I’m Mika, a New York based business, trademark, and employment attorney and fellow entrepreneur. Mika Mooney Law was born out of a desire to support female founders in all things legal in a straight-forward, caring and sound way; all with a goal of also making legal counsel approachable and accessible.

Who are your customers?

Female founders and female-founded businesses from solopreneurs to businesses with a small team to businesses scaling to become agencies, both service providers, and product-based businesses.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

I was a litigator for many years before starting my firm. As a litigator, I argued countless cases in court and vigorously defended big businesses day in and day out. Now, I use that knowledge to keep entrepreneurs and small business owners, from experiencing any legal headache, hopefully creating a stress-free, easy, and seamless legal experience.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I was unhappy in my career from day 1, literally, right out of law school, in my first job I knew that litigation wasn’t for me. Yet, I’m a creature of habit and scared to change and literally got stuck and told myself so many different narratives about why I couldn’t make a move. It came to a head where I felt so depressed in my career and my body hit bottom and I had no choice but to make a change despite what my brain was telling me, “we only know how to litigate,” “you’re not qualified to do anything else but litigate.” I had also made myself a promise that I would make a change before I turn 40, 40 felt so monumental to me and so I took the leap!

We’re so proud that you made the leap, Mika! Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

It never once crossed my mind! I am truly surprised by myself, I always thought I’d take the traditional path of working my way up to being a partner at some established firm one day. But becoming an entrepreneur has been the best thing I’ve ever done professionally!

Take us back to when you first launched your business; what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

I’m not even sure I had a strategy! I just authentically networked, met as many entrepreneurs and women in business that I could, and more so to make connections rather than get business. The work followed but my main purpose was connection, I loved hearing about people’s paths and journeys and learning about different fields and businesses that were different than mine and hearing words of wisdom, lessons learned, etc.

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

Being a team of 1 is really hard! I was literally doing everything from marketing, admin, to lawyering all while also being mom to 3 young girls. I quickly learned I needed some support and that my time was better spent doing some things over others.

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

That I actually see the growth of my firm! I left my firm without taking a single client and wasn’t even sure if I’d be able to get any clients but I am seeing continuous growth and I feel like the little engine that could!

Do you have any recent wins from the last year that you’d like to celebrate with our community?

I took on Trademarks as a new area of law with my practice, spent a painstaking mount of time learning, and receiving mentorship from experienced trademark attorneys and now I have some trademark registrations rolling in which is very exciting for me (and my clients)!

What’s next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

I’ve been envisioning my firm continuing beyond me, wondering whether any of my daughters might become lawyers and might I have a business to pass down or what my firm may look like and achieve if it wasn’t just me, so I’m on a growth trajectory and a rebrand of my business is on my mind. A name not tied to my personal name.

What is your top productivity tip? 

Write out the top 3 things you want to accomplish in each day and literally cross them out as you do them. Make it manageable.

On the flip side, how do you avoid burnout?

By setting realistic goals, managing deadlines, and bringing in help when needed and when possible.

What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?

My three young daughters are my priority so whenever my work starts negatively impacting them I can see it and adjust accordingly. Whether you have kids or not you will feel the effects when the scale is tipped too far in one direction and you should then immediately look to restore harmony.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

That I was truly going to work more than I ever have before! Not sure why I thought otherwise.

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

Tell me about yourself outside of your career and what you like you to when you’re not working. I want a glimpse into the lives of the people that I’m working with, to get to know them a bit as people.

That approach is super helpful when hiring! We know you’re a proud Mamaprenista, please share your best advice for simultaneously managing a business and a family:

If you can set yourself up with help whether that’s from family, hired help, organized car pools with fellow parents, etc. It’s a lot balancing work and motherhood and I don’t know a single Mamaprenista who doesn’t need help.

What’s the one app on your phone you absolutely cannot live without and why?

Instagram, I just love it for inspiration.

What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?

Dubsado, I love being able to have some workflows and automations in place, to be able to invoice from it, and to have a client portal.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Believe in yourself and trust that you can do it and at worst any setback will be a lesson learned.

Learn more about The Entreprenista League and join today!