Decisions That Made Me: Dana Denis-Smith (Obelisk Support, CEO)
Jan 6, 2025
auto_awesome
Dana Denis-Smith, CEO of Obelisk Support, shares her inspiring journey from an unfulfilling legal career to entrepreneurial success. A transformative trek through the Himalayas ignited her passion to support freelance lawyers, particularly mothers seeking flexible work. She discusses balancing career ambitions with family life, the emotional toll of employment law, and her mission to empower women in the workforce. Join her as she unveils the complexities of the wellness industry and the drive for justice in a changing professional landscape.
Dana Denis-Smith's transformative journey from a stagnant legal career to entrepreneurship was inspired by personal reflection during a significant trip to India.
Obelisk Support addresses gender inclusivity by providing flexible legal work opportunities for women, particularly those returning after maternity leave.
Deep dives
The Inspiration Behind Velcro
George Demestrel, an inventor and electrical engineer, found inspiration for Velcro during a hunting trip in 1941 when he noticed that sticky mountain thistle seeds clung stubbornly to his dog and trousers. His curiosity led him to examine the seeds under a microscope, revealing the tiny hooks that made them so tenacious. Recognizing their potential for practical applications, he set out to replicate these hooks, ultimately creating a versatile product now widely used in various industries. This innovative approach demonstrated how observing nature can lead to revolutionary developments in technology.
Creating Flexible Career Opportunities
Dana Dennis-Smith, the Chief Executive of Obelisk Support, founded a legal services firm designed to connect businesses with freelance lawyers seeking flexible work arrangements. The platform primarily aims to support women who have taken time off for maternity or other reasons, allowing them to remain engaged in the legal profession without committing to full-time positions. By understanding the needs of both businesses and skilled lawyers, the company facilitates access to legal expertise while promoting gender inclusivity in the workforce. This model not only addresses workplace challenges but also empowers women to balance their professional aspirations with personal responsibilities.
The Journey to Entrepreneurial Success
Dana's transition from a conventional legal career to entrepreneurship was marked by significant personal reflection and a transformative trip to India. During this trip, she realized that her passion lay in creating opportunities for others, particularly women in the legal field who desired flexible working conditions. Her experience in emerging markets helped her identify a gap in the legal industry that she could fill, leading her to develop a business model that reversed outsourcing and utilized freelance lawyers working from home. Despite the risks of leaving a stable legal career, Dana's journey illustrates the importance of pursuing passion and purpose over conventional success.
Career clarity can be hard to find in the middle of a demanding 9 to 5, but sometimes getting away from it all for a while can make you realise what you really want from work. For Dana Denis-Smith, the world's highest mountain range did the trick. She tells Evan Davis how it inspired her to turn her back on an unfulfilling legal career, and later to start up her own company, Obelisk Support, which champions the talents of mothers who don't want to - or can't - return to work full time.
Production team:
Producers: Simon Tulett and Drew Hyndman
Editor: Matt Willis
Sound: Rod Farquhar
Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode