"Take what you can get from your current experience/role/employer" with Lillie N. Nkenchor, Esq., LL.M

Photo Credit: Jay Taylor Studios.

Lillie N. Nkenchor, Esq.,LL.M., Owner and Managing Attorney of Lillie N. Nkenchor, PC, partners with individuals, families and business owners in order to meet their estate and business planning goals.  She helps clients address their vision and devise appropriate, tax-efficient strategies.  She is uniquely skilled in removing complexity so her clients can take control of their personal and business objectives.

As an attorney and engaging speaker, Lillie is skilled at presenting to students, professional communities and social organizations so as to educate, inspire, and empower persons to create a plan that improves the financial quality of their lives. Her desire is to educate as many people as possible in order to remove the fear and uncertainty that often accompanies estate and business planning.

Can you tell our readers about your background? 

I’m the daughter of two Nigerian parents who placed a high value on education, and expected a lot of me. I’m also the older sister of two younger brothers who sadly have yet to realize how cool I really am. I’m a best friend, a godparent who happily watches cartoons, and a spiritual person who believes that life is bigger than what it appears to be.

Growing up, we moved through a few of states, but settled on Providence, Rhode Island, where a portion of my family remains, and I still visit. It was a diverse community that allowed me to connect with different people; really different people. At a point in my life, all of my friends were first generation.  So we all understood what it was like to be both foreign and homegrown. 

In that town, I did not understand who I was, but I understood whose I was, and that I needed to do what was “right“and avoid what was “wrong“ In order to make elders happy. So imagine a little girl who felt safe and cared for, who felt happy to make her parents happy, but who also looked forward to a day when she could step out and be a fuller version of herself.

What inspired you to start your business? 

My career wasn’t evolving. I was in a safe space, with people who appreciated me, but my responsibilities moved further and further away from my skill set, from the vision I had for myself. I could’ve stayed, made a very good living and had the right accolades on my résumé, but when I learned that people needed me to show up differently, the spark and inspiration began. When I realized people needed estate planning attorneys who were relatable, who were warm, and who were from the community, I realized that as much as I wanted a change, I needed to change so that I could serve others. And if I’m being extra extra honest, in my line of work, you see a lot of people who do not have the “right” degrees, the “right” social networks, or the “right” factors that we use to define success, and they go out there and make it happen, on their terms. Why can’t I do the same? 

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

Very slowly. I technically started by registering my business in 2017 or so. But I did not know what the business would be about, or whom I would serve. It was a seed that was planted for the sake of planting a seed, not because I had a well thought-out vision. When I became serious about the business during the height of the pandemic(2020), the first step I took was to design my ideal day. From sun up, to sundown, what did I want my day to look like? Who did I want to speak with, who did I want to help, how did I want to help, what did I want to wear, how did I want to feel, etc. I did this exercise because I wanted to create a visual representation of what was most important to me. At that point, it wasn’t money, it was a high-quality life. Thus, if my business was not going to give me a high-quality life, then I would not move forward, I would not be here. 

Who is your business role model? Why? 

Tim Ferris. I was first introduced to Tim by a friend. She saw the haggard way I was living. Multiple work flights during the week, straddling my time between Dallas, Atlanta, Bethesda, and New York City. It was a mess. I was disheveled. And she thought that by reading “The 4-Hour Work Week”, I could get a better handle on my schedule.

What does Tim do day-to-day to make money? I have no idea. But I know that he started a business, distilled his business experience into the “4-Hour Work Week”, which then catapulted him to a life where he now has several books under his belt, is a sought after thought leader, facilitates conversations via his podcast with other thought leaders, serves on boards, and it appears that he gets to bring his full self into these many facets. He has created a multi faceted business. I admire that. My dream is not to have a profitable law firm that runs me ragged. My dream is to create a sustainable, profitable law firm that serves others and can also serve as an influential springboard. Perhaps I can transition to writing, speaking, education, board service. I like those business role models who show you how you can be multi-dimensional, because it taps into that little girl from Providence who couldn’t wait to get out and be more of her full self. And my full self, your full self, is not singular. 

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

Giving presentations. Many of us know the Maya Angelou quote, “when people show you who they are the first time believe them“? I believe that when different people, from different walks applaud or highlight your gift, believe them. Over the years I’ve been told that I’m a good communicator, I can easily explain complex issues, but I never thought presenting was a skill. I’ve since leaned into that gift and now through virtual or in-person presentations, I’m able to show my skillset, and personality. Whether it’s an Instagram live, or  a dinner presentation, I’m always able to encourage and empower others to take charge of their lives. As a result, they often reach out to me, maybe not immediately, but eventually, to start discussing their family and business plans. I’ve had people over hear me in elevators and hallways and stopped me afterwards to ask questions and set up appointments.

I like to share videos via my social media platforms, my website, and any venue that allows people to hear me speak, see my face and feel how excited I am about their ability to better plan.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?  

Managing the business. Just because you’re skilled at producing a certain product or service, doesn’t mean you’re skilled at running the business. Running a business entails hiring the right people, managing invoices/bills, marketing, creating your ideal client profile. My biggest challenge has been how to run the business, while also being consumed in the details of the legal work. The solution is better delegation. But in order to delegate well, you must train well, so that the person who takes on the responsibility is able to do so in the way that you like. I can’t say that I’ve officially overcome this challenge, but I’m better today than I was six months ago, then I was twelve months ago. Progress makes it worthwhile. 

How do you stay focused?

Paper calendaring. Having a physical calendar where my tasks are timed and color-coded, helps me stay focused. Otherwise, it’s overwhelming to look at everything as one continuous to-do list. Our minds instinctively imagine how challenging the tasks will be. To avoid that rabbit hole, I assign my tasks to particular hours/half hours so that my brain can minimize the feeling of overwhelm. 

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

Style. There’s a certain way I want to show up, and a certain way I want people to feel. That desire shows up in how we package our documents, why I chose the colors for our website, the clothes that I wear, the spaces  The style in which we do things goes hand-in-hand with our brand.  Most companies don’t have that, they have a service, or a product, but not a brand. My desire is for my clients to have a brand experience from start to finish.

 It’s also important for me to feel like the approachable boutique. Just because we’re small (right now), doesn’t mean we’re not mighty. And just because we’re mighty, doesn’t mean we’re unapproachable.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs? 

Take what you can get from your current experience/role/employer. When I was balancing between my corporate job, and my law firm, I had an epiphany where I realized I needed a skill, that I didn’t have. And I could’ve had it, had I honed in on that scale as part of my corporate job. The opportunity was there, but I didn’t like it, so I avoided it. Had I taken a bit more interest in that skill, I would’ve been even better it would have been an even better transition to my firm.

Wherever you are, there’s a person that you should be connected with, a project you should participate in, a skill, software program of which you should become familiar. Don’t avoid it  just because it doesn’t look comfortable, or look fun, or even look necessary. Lean into it because whatever skill you’re about to develop from your current environment is going to be the framework for your next environment. People are always ready to leave before it’s time for them to leave. Soak up whatever you can where you are and then leave. 

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

My client relations management system (CRM). I use Clio because It allows me to keep track of my clients, they’re identifying information, how much they’ve paid, the services we’ve provided, who, if anyone, referred that person to our firm, etc. It’s a great way to have a data-driven snapshot of mu book of business.

If you haven’t noticed, everything is data driven. From the ads that appear on your phone to the stories that are fit for print in our media outlet. Data tells us where to focus. When I review my CRM system, I can see which clients have paid the most, the demographics of my clients, the services that bring in the least revenue, etc. This information is important because it helps me scale. My goal is to grow a business that either can exist without me being involved on a daily business, or can be sold. None of that happens unless I understand the data of my business, the likes and dislikes of my clients, or the time wasters.  

How do you balance work and life?

I don’t separate the two. My hairstylist, another woman-owned business, told me that when you own a business, work life and personal life become one. You attend fun dinners with clients. You plan family trips and dedicate a morning, or half a day, to work matters. 

Unless I’ve run myself to the ground, combining work life and personal life is invigorating because they inspire one another. 

Where is your business based?

New York primarily. We have an office in New Jersey as well. I am licensed in New York, New Jersey, DC, Maryland and Georgia.  

How can our readers connect with you?

Website: www.lillienkenchor.com

IG: lillie_nkenchor_pc

Facebook: Lillie N. Nkenchor, PC

What do you have planned for the next six months?

Automate my business as much as possible. If I want  my clients to have an excellent brand experience, I believe I need to minimize human error and missed opportunities. My plan is to create systems, for some of our services, not all, that can run well without a middle person slowing down the process.

What’s your favorite way to decompress? 

Cook. It’s a practice that helps me be more present. Usually music is playing or I’m having a good conversation; both enhance the experience.