Kelly Bagla, Esq. is an international award-winning corporate attorney who practices in San Diego, California. She is the podcast host of Go Legal Yourself – top 20 business law podcasts (get the App – it’s free), and Judge on Everyday Edisons Emmy award winning TV show, TV personality and Speaker.
FWM: What led you to law?
I knew at the age of 5 that I wanted to be a lawyer. I stuck to my conviction and now enjoy the success of helping entrepreneurs with starting and growing their businesses. The greatest joy is helping others with their legal issues so they too can enjoy success without the worry of losing everything if they get sued. I truly can say that being a lawyer was my calling, I love what I do, and I’m very blessed to have a job where I serve others. If you love your job, it never feels like work.
FWM: You founded Bagla Law Firm, APC and are currently celebrating its 11th anniversary. What are you most proud of?
Keeping a business going strong past three years is a success for anyone, but celebrating 10 plus years in your business is an achievement that should be celebrated. Over the years of practicing business law, I encountered business owners who thought they had their legal ducks in a row but came to find out that they were more exposed then before they started their business. The reason was that they simply don’t know what they don’t know. So I have made it my mission to help each business owner arm themselves with the legal knowledge they would ordinarily pay thousands of dollars for. I have written a bestseller called ‘Go Legal Yourself, Second Edition,’ which shows you how to avoid legal pitfalls and protect your business from day one. Having the ability to educate entrepreneurs and business owners alike, through my books, blogs, and podcast, called Go Legal Yourself, has been a labor of love and I’m proud to say that I’ve been recognized by prestigious publications for my innovative legal strategies and services.
FWM: As an internationally award-winning corporate attorney, what does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Raised by loving parents, I was taught that if I wanted something, then I should want that from my heart; to put my heart into it and the rest of me would follow. I have always followed my heart regardless of gender. I went into corporate law when only 3% were women in that field and I have never thought of not being able to do something because I’m a woman. I think every day, every month, and every year should be women’s time. We, as today’s woman, owes everything to the women who came before us and paved the road for the rest of us to succeed. I am doing the same for all who want to grab the world by the pearls by writing books that promote entrepreneurship.
FWM: What is your mantra?
Grab the world by the pearls, it’s yours for the taking. Why blend in when you were born to standout! Take each day and live it to the fullest by helping others achieve success.
FWM: Share a few monumental moments in your career.
The day I started my first attorney job with the largest law firm in the world. The day I became the head of the corporate department in a law firm full of men. The day I started my own law firm, Bagla Law Firm, APC. The day I wrote my bestseller, Go Legal Yourself. Every award I have won as top attorney, top woman entrepreneur, best law firm to watch, top woman CEO, and many more. The greatest joy I receive is when I see my clients become successful.
FWM: You were elected as a Top Transformational Woman Leader by Industry Wired Magazine. How have you transformed lives?
As a business attorney, I have the gift of helping other entrepreneurs with their business. My role model Margaret Thatcher said, “What is success? I think it is a mixture of having a flair for the thing you are doing; knowing that it is not enough, that you have got to have hard work and a certain sense of purpose.” I find her assessment to be spot-on. You must have passion for what you do, or what you want to create. It’s not enough to want to create something because it will make you money. I believe that you must love what you’re doing, and the money will follow. Otherwise, you’ll fail in business and likely lose money. Helping people find what they love is the biggest transformation you’ll see in anyone.
You were chosen to write a full chapter in The Growth Formula by Kal Reece, How Industry Leaders Overcome Fear, Debt & Financial Challenges. Tell us more.
It was an honor to write for The Growth Formula because there are more people that don’t get started on their dream of starting a business due to fear. It’s always the unknown that most are afraid of. My attitude is that some fear is good, which prevents you from going for a jog on the freeway; but most fears are “faults events appearing real.” If you have enough confidence in yourself, there is nothing that can stop you. Remain true to yourself and have confidence in your abilities. Everything else will follow.
Your passion is helping entrepreneurs. What is your vision for 2021?
There are more businesses that start during crisis times, that’s how we got the gig industry in 2009 during the dot com blowup. Because I have made it my mission to help entrepreneurs I have created GoLegalYourself.com, Do It Yourself Legal Protraction, which helps people save money and gain peace of mind. When starting your own business, people only had two options, get your startup documents from a traditional law firm, which costs a lot of money, and the second option is to do it yourself with other online companies that can’t tell you what you need. Now, there is a third option and a better one at that, GoLegalYourself.com. Provides attorney drafted documents at the fraction of the cost. My vision for 2021 and beyond is to help entrepreneurs Go Legal Themselves.
FWM: Please share your social media links.
www.BaglaLaw.com – sign up for newsletters
www.GoLegalYourself.com – sign up for newsletters
www.GoLegalYourselfPodcast.com
@kellybagla
