Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanya Nebo.
Hi Tanya, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Thanks so much for having me! Well, I’m a graduate of Columbia University in New York and the University of Virginia School of Law. I began my legal career as a commercial real estate paralegal for a mid-sized law firm in Atlanta. After passing the bar exam, I became a commercial real estate attorney for a large law firm, Holland & Knight, also in Atlanta. I then spent several years working for a commercial real estate technology firm.
While working at the technology company, I developed the Nebo Law Firm on the side. Like many new business owners, I started my company while I had a full-time job. (By the way, the work I did for Nebo Law did not present a conflict with my work obligations to the technology company). I know very well how it feels to be committed to an employer by day while longing and aspiring to, eventually, work for oneself. In 2012, I went from serving commercial real estate and business clients “on the side” to being a full-time attorney at Nebo Law Firm.
My upbringing continues to be a critical part of my foundation. I am the child of Liberian immigrants. While in her twenties, my mother started a business – an African-American beauty supply store in St. Paul, Minnesota – a business that my father still operates to this day. That tiny first store, only 300 square feet in size, eventually became multiple locations. I grew up working in that business, seeing the benefits and challenges of entrepreneurship. I saw tears, sacrifices, community building, growth and lots of hard, hard work. I also saw freedom and flexibility.
My experience gives me a true heart for small business and small business owners. It’s, literally, in my blood. That is why I am passionate about serving small business owners and helping aspiring entrepreneurs.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, the road has not been smooth. It’s had its bumps. More than anything, it has been a winding road and, based on what I know about business, it will continue to be that way. That’s part of the journey.
My aim for Nebo Law is like that of many business owners – to have true enterprise – a streamlined business able to provide extraordinary service to our clients – whether or not I am available to personally provide the service. To do that, one must have both a solid team as well as a solid operations system (including processes and procedures).
Building, leading and training that team is a constant challenge. And defining, documenting, testing, and refining operational processes remains a challenge as well. It’s that important, but not urgent, work that Eisenhower talked about – the important work that can produce extraordinary results for the business. When I’ve been focused on providing specific solutions for clients and getting them what they need, the implementation of operational strategies has taken a back seat.
“I have two kinds of problems: the urgent and the important. The urgent are not important, and the important are never urgent.” ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower
In short, I’d say my biggest challenge has been consistently balancing my work IN the business with my work ON the business. Addressing the needs of clients is critical, of course. At the same time, there are projects, marketing and administrative activities that, in the long run, could produce awesome results for the business. It can sometimes be challenging balancing the time spent on providing the legal services to clients with time that needs to be spent on improving and streamlining the actual business that provides these services. The good news is that we’re growing the team and having a reliable team affords me more time to address high-level business plans and initiatives.
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?
The Nebo Law Firm LLC is a firm that serves small businesses and entrepreneurs. We help our clients successfully buy, sell and operate small businesses. From forming corporate entities and drafting contracts to acquiring franchises and negotiating commercial leases, our aim is to be a resource for those who are or want to be in business.
Our small size allows us to be nimble, highly responsive and to provide extraordinary service. It is this service level we provide that truly sets us apart from other law firms.
We believe that entrepreneurship is not just about money. It is also about flexibility, freedom and lifestyle design. At Nebo Law, it is our aim to help creators and deal makers bring their vision to fruition. And we take a very practical approach in doing so.
How do you think about luck?
I suppose I believe in luck. I’d probably call it . . . “luck, curated by God.” I have found that I’ve been luckiest when I’ve done my part. That’s when the unexpected happens. That’s when the opportunity I didn’t see coming lands in my inbox. That’s when the money I didn’t know was coming shows up.
My take is this: I focus on doing what I can and know to do. The rest gets handled – often in ways that I hadn’t even anticipated. The key to this “luck” is action – me doing my part. Me being prepared. Me not just hoping, wishing and praying that something will magically occur.
Contact Info:
- Email: tanya@nebolaw.com
- Website: https://nebolaw.com/
- Instagram: Nebolawfirm
- Twitter: @nebolaw
Image Credits:
Kateryna Vilchyk Roger Easley
