Questions: Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business.
Answer: We are a law practice in Aurora Illinois concentrating on personal injury, residential real estate, and Worker’s Compensation. We have over 40 years of combined legal experience. We represent clients from the Chicago area including all of its outlying counties.
Questions: Kindly give us a brief description about yourself.
Answer: I have been practicing law for over 32 years and spent the first 20 years in the Chicago Loop litigating in the cook county courts. My actual experience was defending insurance companies for injury claims against them. However, I soon realized it would be more rewarding to represent those who sustained injuries who were seeking compensation.
Questions: What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Answer: I received my bachelor degree from Illinois State University and my Juris Doctor degree university of Illinois Chicago. After practicing in Chicago’s loop for over 20 years, I decided to bring my experience to the suburbs as much of my client base lived in the suburbs, and it was a hardship for many of them to travel to the city to see me.
Questions: What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Answer: My three pieces of advice would be this:
- Don’t wait for the right time because there will never be a perfect
time to do it. - Only hire the best people regardless of the cost because eventually
it will pay dividends. - Treat the small cases the same as the big cases because clients will
always refer people to you if they were treated right.
Questions: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Answer: Confidence, persistence and faith.
Questions: How many hours do you work a day on average?
Answer: Hours fluctuate
Questions: To what do you most attribute your success?
Answer: At Cullotta Bravo Law Group, our staff is dedicated to our clients and treat them with respect and kindness.
Questions: How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Answer: The best marketing is Word of mouth from satisfied clients. We also rely on Google reviews.
Questions: What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Answer: Always treat each client like they are friends or family. Return all their calls promptly and openly communicate.
Questions: Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Answer: In 10 years I see our firm growing from it. Current size by adding both additional attorneys and staff.
Questions: Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Answer: The companies I admire most R space-x, and Chick-fil-A.
Questions: How important have good employees been to your success?
Answer: Your business is only as good as your staff so always treat them well. Make sure they are always well compensated and that they have a positive and nurturing work environment.
Questions: What motivates you?
Answer: What motivates us is seeing positive client reviews or receiving a thank you letter from a satisfied client.
Questions: What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
Answer: The culture at our firm is one of ownership. We always find ways to reward employees who are dedicated and look at it as more than a 9-to-5 job. Our staff feels as though it is all of our business not just the attorneys.
Questions: In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Answer: Being an entrepreneur is never boring and requires you to wear a lot of hats. Lawyer, accountant, marketing, human resources, etc. In one word it is interesting.
