Today we’d like to introduce you to Winter Wheeler.
Hi Winter, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I began my professional career as a trial attorney representing defendants in civil lawsuits in both Georgia and Florida. Trying to resolve those lawsuits before trial and outside of the courtroom was a significant part of that job. Usually, reaching an early resolution involved mediating the case. I found that I absolutely loved the mediation process! It was my favorite part of being an attorney, and I looked forward to mediation days more than any others. I realized quickly that I wanted to serve in the mediator’s helpful capacity instead of being an attorney on the defensive. I conducted extensive research into my new, prospective career and used what I gathered to create a long-term plan to reach the heights of success as a mediator. Ultimately, I was a trial lawyer for thirteen years when I finally decided to embark on my journey as a mediator. I quit my job and started Winter Wheeler Mediation & Arbitration, LLC without a single client. Three years later, I have affiliated with three mediation firms across the globe and helped countless people resolve their lawsuits.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
My path has not been a smooth one—not by a long shot. I started my business just months before the pandemic shut down the city. Mediation is already a notoriously difficult industry to break into, and COVID made it that much worse. Before the shutdown, I spent a lot of time volunteering my services, training to hone my skills, and meeting potential clients at their offices or restaurants. For nearly a year, COVID made my initial plan to get clients through the door impossible to execute. Thankfully, I was able to regroup and move forward, but I certainly had a nerve-wracking and stressful beginning to my career.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My long and varied career makes it possible for me to mediate most civil cases, but I primarily handle wrongful death, catastrophic injury, trucking, personal injury, contract disputes, and employment cases. I pride myself on making the mediation process as easy as possible for the parties to the lawsuit. I focus very heavily on their feelings, wants, and needs. Lawsuits are stressful for those involved, and typically there is no outlet for the parties to express their frustration. They are simply shepherded through the process with or without concern for how they feel, despite being the reason for the lawsuit in the first place. I change all of that. I make sure the parties are the focus point—as they deserve to be. Ensuring that the parties are seen, heard, and understood is of the utmost importance. I pride myself on helping people get through the mediation process and love watching them emerge on the other side. I have the honor of helping people move on and get their lives back.
What matters most to you?
Nothing is more important to me than my family. My husband and I have four beautiful children whom we love very, very much. I dedicate every single day to making sure they have the best lives they can imagine for themselves. I believe that my job as their parent is to give them a strong foundation and to support them on their journey. I’m lucky to be able to support them with a career that I love. I get to help other people while simultaneously doing my best for my kids. It doesn’t get better than that!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.winterwheeler.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themediatenow/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themediatenow
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/winterwheeler/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/winternicole?lang=en
- Youtube: @themediatenow8958
- Other: www.themediatenow.com
Image Credits
Nick F. Nelson, The Brandpreneur Agency
