2016-Starting New Company

December 31, 2015 - It has been 3 years since I lost my city job, the job I thought I would have through retirement. Since then, I have worked at 4 temp jobs and 2 "permanent" jobs that weren't guaranteed. 

Since that time, I have considered starting my own business, a paralgal service that I could work from home and have many clients. My specialty is Intellectual Property (trademarks, copyrights, patents), but I also have skills in corporate, litigation, and other legal specialties. I slowly started building a base of clients for whom I customized my services. I transcribed a translation from Russian into English of the poems of Pushkin, as well as one of Russia's best-selling self help books. I have assisted a friends having problems with her medical insurance to review her claims, have her insurance company audit her claims, make payments to her physical therapist, and finally today the company called her to say she is getting a large refund for her overpayment! I have prepared and filed trademark applications for small business clients, and helped clients protect their intellectual property rights on the internet.

In November, a very dear friend referred two virtual law firm clients who wanted to hire a consultant paralegal, so on December 1, 2015 I formed Pinto IP, LLC. I now have my own company and have signed contracts with the 2 virtual law firms. I begin work for them on January 4, 2015.

Part of forming a company, of course, is having to invest thousands of dollars in corporate filing costs, insurance costs and equipment purchases. I had an investor who was willing to advance me the funds to start the company, but that fell through. I have used up my savings to form the company. My business plan budget requires an additional $7,000 for initial costs and to cover my personal expenses until I receive my first check for services in February. My last temp job ended in November, and my unemployment runs out this week.

I know many friends and colleagues have supported my taking this step, and I am now asking for financial help, an investment to get this business off the ground and fund me through the first months of activity.

Over the years, I have given a lot, both financially and volunteering, to help others in their endeavors to set up their own business. Today I am asking my friends, family, and contacts to do the same for me.

I have been "paying it forward" to help two other friends who have started their own businesses by giving free personal coaching, and have been a resource to many other paralegals starting their careers. I truly believe that this new business venture will change my life, and by becoming my own boss and employer, to be able to offer my professional services to others in this newly developing field of virtual legal services. It's the wave of the future. It will also help me change direction, from a career where my age and experience are not valued by employers, to a career where those very attributes are valued and compensated fairly.

I am tremendously grateful and very blessed for all the support I've received to get to this point. Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all, and a very healthy and Happy New Year!

Susan