We caught up with this year’s Small Business Person of the Year to see how the Philadelphia business community has contributed to their success. Check out what Fran Griesing, Founder and Managing Member, Griesing Law, LLC has to say as we highlight one of the excellent small businesses that drives the Greater Philadelphia region. Join us to celebrate the 36th Annual Excellence Award winners on Thursday, November 8.
Small Business Person of the Year
Fran Griesing
Founder and Managing Member, Griesing Law LLC
Where did the idea for your business come from?
Throughout my legal career, I have often been one of handful, if not the only, female attorney in the room. Given this disconcerting trend in the legal profession, my goal has been to continuously advocate for the inclusion and promotion of women attorneys as I strongly believe that a more diverse legal profession is a more successful one. My goal in founding the firm was to combat the forces that keep women out of leadership roles and from staying in the profession at all. Griesing Law was created so that attorneys of all backgrounds and lifestyles could thrive and contribute their unique perspectives and expertise to clients.
Describe the moment that you decided to go into business for yourself.
In the summer of 2009, I was contemplating two offers to join new firms but in my gut I felt that neither was the right next step for me. At that time, I went on a walk with my daughter along Kelly Drive and we’re talking about my hesitation and she says to me, “Why don’t you start your own firm?” I told her that I couldn’t do that because I was afraid I wouldn’t have enough clients. She laughed and said that was ridiculous because I already had clients. I kept insisting that is wasn’t doable and she stops me and says, “What kind of role model would you be for me if you didn’t do something because you were afraid?” In that moment, the light bulb went off in my head and I decided I was going to take the plunge and open my own firm.
What is your business philosophy?
JFK’s famous quote, “a rising tide lifts all boats,” is at the root of how I do business. Griesing Law is a one of a kind law firm, locally and nationally, which focuses on a collaborative team approach and discourages internal competition that interferes with client service. With such a close knit team at our firm, I wanted to create a unique and open culture where the success of any one employee means overall greater success of the entire firm. Unlike traditional firms, we do not reward or compensate attorneys based on “origination credit” – the idea that whoever brings in new business gets credit for the work, regardless of the matter’s outcome or who actually works it. By removing this financial model at our Firm, it allows for greater collaboration and deters intra-office competition that is found at most law firms. This also assures that everyone on our team is invested in providing clients with personal service and achieving the best results.
What is the most challenging about owning/running a business in the region? How do you deal with the challenges?
Attracting, retaining and supervising a growing team, especially a tight-knit one, has been one of the most unexpected challenges of creating my firm. I’ve had to learn how to set appropriate boundaries by navigating the role of boss and friend in an intimate, boutique setting, both to better serve my employees and to make my work life easier as the head of the business. To do this effectively, it was important to acknowledge that while my business is incredibly personal to me, it is not personal to everyone else—that is what makes me the boss. I needed to strike a better balance of congeniality and professionalism with my team so that expectations were clear. Communication is crucial to promoting this dynamic with your team, but it must be done in an appropriate and constructive way.
What does it mean to you personally and/or to your business to be named an Excellence Award winner?
As any entrepreneur will tell you, your blood, sweat and tears go into growing your business from the ground up. A leader must ride out the lows and the highs of the business, which can be a particularly difficult and isolating role to be in. Being named the Small Business Person of the Year validates all of the time and effort I have put into fostering my mission of creating a more diverse legal profession and inspiring women to take the leap and start their own businesses. This award demonstrates that my efforts are being seen and acknowledged by my community, and I couldn’t be more honored to represent small business owners in the Philadelphia area. As I always say, “nothing feels better than being your own boss!”
Are there other businesses in the region you admire? Why?
Two businesses I admire in our region are Bittenbender Construction and Jacobson Strategic Communications. Both of these businesses were started and run by women who share my City government experience and served under then Mayor Rendell. Both Emily and Susan have built highly successful businesses drawing on their public service experience and created jobs for many in our region and beyond. They are both ambitious, thoughtful and generous – qualities that I think are critical for any successful leader.
Be sure to grab your tickets to help celebrate Fran as the Small Business Person of the Year at the 36th Annual Excellence Awards on Thursday, November 8.
