Nicola Grummitt was born to be a business owner.
One of her earliest memories is of earning pocket money by digging up weeds from her family home’s lawn, turning them into bales of “horse feed” and selling them back to her dad.
Nicola now runs a small legal service for rural Australian business owners – mostly women.
Here, she chats to Mamamia about running a business with a four and two-year-old in tow.
Tell us about Grevillea Law… What is it?
Grevillea Law is a micro law firm set up to offer regional and rural Australian business owners (mostly rad boss ladies) flexible, no bullsh*t legal services.
What were you doing before you went into business for yourself?
I’ve been in business for the last five years with my husband, running a contract fencing business (G-Fence). I was also working part-time at a local regional law firm. Oh, and looking after our daughters aged four and two.
What made you want to start your own business?
Ever since I can remember I’ve loved business and making money. One of my earlier memories is earning pocket money by digging up clover from our lawn. After collecting a pile of weeds, I fashioned them into a “bale” and sold them back to my dad as horse feed. Cha-ching!
My entrepreneurial spirit continued right through my schooling and culminated in the businesses we run today.
How did you come up with the name?
I wanted a name that was different to other law firms (e.g. Smith & Jones; Brown & Associates). I also didn’t want to use my name, to make it easier to bring in partners or sell. Grevillea spoke to me, as I love gardening and it reminds me of rural and regional Australia. I also liked that it lined up with our existing business: G.Law & G-Fence.
What’s the single best piece of advice you got?
Just do it! There will never be a right time.
What’s the one bit of advice you would give yourself if you were starting again?
Take your own advice and get the specialist to do the specialist work. I am not an IP specialist lawyer. I tried to do my own trademark registrations. I stuffed them up. I should have asked my friend, the IP specialist to do the work for me. Cutting costs is not always cost saving.
At Mamamia, we have an expression “flearning” – failing and learning. What have been your biggest flearnings since you have started your business?
1) See my previous answer. 2) Missing a critical legal practice requirement (thankfully have that sorted now). 3) Not paying myself a “wage” straight up. No point in running a business that isn’t paying the personal bills.
What do you do when you’re feeling like you’re in a hole emotionally (or financially)?
