· Name of Business - DSM Legal Limited
· Who are you? - We are a solicitors’ practice based in Westbrook, Warrington. My main area of practice is employment law (for employees and employers). I draft contracts, policies and procedures and advise on all aspects from employment disputes, redundancies and dismissals through to employment tribunal representation and settlement agreements. I also deal with personal injury claims and we have a growing private client department (wills and lasting powers of attorney).
· What sets you apart from the competition? - Our vision - which is to be the very best that we can be. The pursuit of excellence. A day spent without seeking to improve what we do and how we do it is a day wasted. Teamwork is at the heart of our success.
· How did the business come about? - I had always wanted to run my own business from an early age. I had a young family and needed flexibility in my working hours so working for myself seemed the perfect solution.
· What are your main target markets? – My main target markets are employees and small businesses.
· How long has your business been in existence? 19 years – prior to this I worked in a number of solicitors’ practices in Merseyside and Cheshire.
· How many staff do you employ? – I employ 3 members of staff as well as 3 consultants.
· What job or achievement makes you most proud? – It’s the journey rather than the destination that gives me a sense of achievement. There is no greater job satisfaction than knowing that I have helped and supported someone, often through a very stressful period in their lives.
· Where do you see the business being in five years? – My plan is for the business to grow through increased use of technology. This will streamline our processes, increase profit margins and keep costs down for our clients. However, our commitment to providing a personal service will not change.
· Tell us one interesting thing about the business that might surprise us? – I started DSM Legal in my spare bedroom at home. Just me, a phone, desk and an empty filing cabinet. I can remember my excitement the first time the phone rang. I was so disappointed when it turned out to be a wrong number!
Once I’d taken on my first few clients my daughter came on board to help with the admin and a couple of years later, my son. I do sometimes miss those early days, but they’ve each gone on to bigger and better things. I count myself lucky to have a brilliant team working with me. And – when I’m working from home - I have my cat Fred to keep me company. Although he is the laziest cat ever and just sleeps most of the time!
· Tell us one interesting thing about you that people might not know? (ie, hobbies, amusing fact, etc)
I have recently started taking calligraphy classes. It’s a great way to switch off and relax. You can’t think about two things at the same time so focusing on writing is a great way to practice mindfulness.
· Fantasy dinner party – which six people alive or dead would you invite?
- Linda McCartney (it would have to be a vegetarian dinner party)
- Luciano Pavarotti
- The Queen
- Marilyn Monroe
- Shirley MacLaine
- Steve Jobs