Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Laughlin
Hi Danielle, 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?
My journey has been shaped by resilience, purpose, and a deep passion for helping others succeed. I started my career in the courtroom, but I quickly realized that my real passion was not just in practicing law, it was in empowering business owners to build something meaningful and sustainable.
Being a single mother while in law school and launching my own business was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. I had to learn how to blend my roles rather than separate them, Being a mom, a lawyer, and an entrepreneur all at once ignited a fire in me to create a business that not only thrived but also supported others in doing the same.
I founded SAGE Business Counsel with the vision of using law as a proactive tool for growth, helping business owners navigate challenges with confidence. Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to build a strong community of like-minded individuals, mentor emerging entrepreneurs, and advocate for small business policy changes.
Success, to me, isn’t just about financial growth; it’s about creating an impact. Whether it’s through the businesses we support, the mentorship we provide, or the communities we uplift, I want my work to be a force for positive change. That’s what drives me every day.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Building SAGE Business Counsel over the past ten years has been a journey filled with both triumphs and tough lessons. When I started, I was a single mother in law school, balancing motherhood, studying, and the early stages of entrepreneurship. That alone required resilience, but growing a business in a male-dominated industry came with its own set of challenges. From the beginning, I was determined to create a firm that did things differently, using the law as a tool for empowerment, not just protection.
One of the challenges was learning how to scale while maintaining our core mission. As we grew, I had to navigate hiring, leadership, and creating a company culture that reflected our values. Coming from a traditional law firm culture, I struggled to surround myself with the right people until I implemented core values and defined our mission more clearly.
The road hasn’t been smooth, but every challenge has reinforced why I started this journey in the first place. A decade in, I’m more committed than ever to building a business that stands for something bigger than just legal services.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
SAGE Business Counsel offers comprehensive legal services focused on empowering business teams and leaders with proactive, strategic legal planning and representation. Our mission is to guide business leaders through the complexities of the legal landscape, ensuring they not only survive but thrive in their endeavors.
Our goal is to help those who get overlooked achieve the wealth and lasting legacy they deserve by having access to high-level legal services on a more inclusive and accessible basis.
SAGE has maintained steady growth by adhering to a philosophy of proactive legal management. By anticipating legal issues before they become problematic, we provide our clients with strategies that prevent potential disruptions, saving them time and resources. This approach has solidified our reputation in the community as a trusted legal advisor, enabling us to expand our client base and retain high client satisfaction.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I have made it the years in business as a solo owned, 100% woman owned law firm. In our industry, women represent less than 20% of firm partners. I’m very proud of this achievement.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sagebusinesscounsel.com
- Instagram: @sagebusinesscounsel
- Facebook: @sagebusinesscounsel
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielleahudsonlaughlin/
- Youtube: https://YouTube.com/sagebusinesscounsel971
