Meet Jessica Markham, the managing attorney at Markham law, a law firm based in Bethesda. She started her business in 2015 as a solo practitioner and now has 7 attorneys on staff. Both she and her firm have been named best lawyers in America. In this episode of the Women Business Owner Series, Leah speaks with Jessica as she shares her journey from an employee to a law firm business owner. Listen in to learn how Jessica runs her business with a passion and creating an environment where the staff and the clients are happy. “If you can leave for a month and everything runs smoothly, then that’s a business”- Jessica Markham What you will learn: [1:30] How Jessica was inspired by an on-sale office space to start her new space. [4:35] Learning to run her law firm as a business- taking care of the law side of things as well as the business side of things. [7:48] Starting the business without any prior experience and how she has learned to be financially oriented. [10:40] Did she have a business plan? And how she balanced starting a business and being a mother at the same time. [12:30] The importance of creating a business that can operate without you being there. [16:18] She describes the culture she has built for her staff to fulfill their goals and be happy at the workplace. [18:51] What does her brand represent and how did she go about it? [22:38] How is it like being a woman business owner? [27:33] Questions you need to ask yourself before starting a business. [32:43] The importance of finding pacesetters in your industry that will guide you through your career even if you don’t know them. Our Contacts: Website: http://bethesda.hightoweradvisors.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hightowerbethesda/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HightowerBethesda/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeahPlans4You Guest’s Contacts: Jessica’s Website: https://www.markhamlegal.com/jessicamarkham