Episode 38 - Saying No to Make Room for Yes: Prioritizing Values Over Profits in Business with Josh Traeger

Traversing Entrepreneurship

In this episode Josh Traeger joins Derek Dall'Olmo to discuss his experience starting a law practice in Traverse City, Michigan. They share their perspectives on the challenges and rewards of starting a business in a small town, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and personalized service. They also discuss legal standards and procedures in military courts, and the difficulties and rewards of prosecuting child sexual assault cases. Additionally, they touch on the growing trend of individuals in small towns pursuing entrepreneurial careers, and share their insights on ethical dilemmas in business and the legal profession.

“If I'm working with small business, not only do I want to get that small business in the right direction, from an entity formation perspective, from a trademark perspective, from a managerial perspective, but the reason I want to do that, and the conversations I have with that client are around how they can build successfully for the future, so that they can contribute back to the community in which we exist.” - Josh Traeger

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

0:00 Military legal career, from prosecutor to founding a law firm.

7:48 Military trials and the challenges of prosecuting child sexual assault cases.

13:57 Military members' criminal behavior and the legal firm representing them.

21:51 Entrepreneurial spirit in Traverse City, Michigan, with a focus on legal services.

25:47 Legal practice vision and values, with a focus on community building and rehabilitation.

31:16 The importance of personal connections and unique value in a business.

35:16 Launching a legal business in Traverse City, Michigan, with challenges related to cost, access to capital, and overestimating experience.

40:55 Lawyer's struggles with branding, marketing, and learning curve in a new practice area.

47:14 Prioritizing values and saying no to opportunities that don't align with them.

53:12 Seeking help and support in entrepreneurship.

58:11 The importance of collaboration and seeking outside validation in entrepreneurship.

1:02:43 Loneliness and community building in northern Michigan.

Connect with Josh:

Website: www.truenorthlegalgroup.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-traeger-349ab01a5/

Email: [e-mail]

About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business.

Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients.

This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation.

Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at [e-mail] with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

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