Perpetua (Pepe) Kish is a multi-award winning lawyer and innovator for the following categories in our 2020 AusMumpreneur NSW-ACT Awards
- Silver winner – Emerging AusMumpreneur
- Silver winner – Service Business
Pepe has been practicing family law for over a decade. Pepe and her team advocate for a kinder, team-based approach to divorce. Balance Family Law offers accessible, fixed fee services to assist families navigate their separation and divorce peacefully so they can move forward and thrive.
When did you start your business?
March 2019.
What was the inspiration behind starting this business?
Traditional law never really felt like a good fit for me, but helping people and being creative certainly did. So, rather then confirm to the mould of the court room lawyer, I created a firm that allowed me to use my talents and passions to provide a friendly, solutions-focused option for couples and families navigating their separation journey. My goal was to operate a business that would not take over all aspects life but rather happily co-exist with my life as a mum and wife. I am proud to say I have achieved that balance, no pun intended, by taking a sensible approach to growth, working with team members with complementary skillsets and where possible, only taking on work that is within our niche.
What are you most excited about in your business?
I am excited about how we can continue to grow and scale our baby business, after such a successful first 2 years. We have learnt so much and learnt a few lessons along the way. However, the silver lining has been that we now know what doesn’t work well and what we can do better. We plan on using those learnings to create an even better service model for our clients.
What has been the most challenging thing about starting your business?
We are lucky to have so many supporters, however there have been a few local colleagues (thankfully less than a handful) who we respected and thought of as collaborators who withdrew from us, and became quite cold around the time we started to be successful. It can be really hard not to fixate on the negativity and become resentful. But challenges shouldn’t define who we are, rather – challenges give us an opportunity to define ourselves – for better or worse. These experiences have actually helped us become a more resilient and thoughtful business. As a consequence, we have deliberately focused on building a business that is welcoming, inclusive and fosters a growth mindset and collaboration over competition.
What advice would you give to other women thinking about starting a business?
Why are you doing it? You have to really understand your “WHY”. Why do you want to do it?
You also don’t have to do it alone. I have a wonderful team and am part of several wonderfully warm, kind and supportive communities. Find your tribe! They will be there for you when you face the inevitable downs and cheer for you when your on the up!
Why did you enter the AusMumpreneur Awards?
Juggling homelife and business life can be tough, even when you have a good balance – you still second guess yourself and your decisions.
Winning an award is a great morale boost and acknowledgement that your work has impact and meaning. It’s great for building confidence, energy and a good reputation for your business.
What did you enjoy the most about being part of the awards?
Getting to meet some epic AusMums who really walk the talk and come from so many different backgrounds and industries. As a lawyer, I am normally around other lawyers so it was refreshing to see how other business women rock it as savvy entrepreneurs.
What surprised you most about the awards?
Aside from the wonderful sense of community, I really enjoyed the judging interviews! It was like talking to friends. It wasn’t uncomfortable or nerve-wracking at all. You could really tell the Judges were so supportive and wanted you to do well.
How did the awards help you in your business?
I had been in business for under 18 months when I entered. It was great PR and helped to build trust and credibility in our brand.
What advice would you give to others mums thinking about entering the awards?
Do it! Put your heart and soul into the questions but also remember to provide supporting information. If writing isn’t your forte or passion, ask a friend to read it over with you and help you to articulate your message.
What’s happening next in your business? Any big plans for the future?
Oh yes! We have a few more service offerings to make family law even more accessible to all and we are proud to be part of and lead a collective of professionals who work in family law who champion collaboration over competition and want to make divorce a kinder experience. Keep an ear and eye out for more on The Kind Lawyers- www.thekindlawyers.com – which will launch in July 2021.
To learn more about Balance Family Law, please visit the website, LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.
All images featured here are from Pepe Kish.
2021 GLOBAL BUSINESS MOTHERS AWARDS
The 2021 Global Business Mothers Awards recognise the best and brightest mothers in business globally, acknowledging success in business & innovation.
>> Nominations are OPEN! Nominate an incredible mother in business here <<
Recent Comments