In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Margeaux Thomas from Thomas Law Office, who shared her entrepreneurial journey of growing her law firm specialising in "business divorces". Starting from her kitchen table in 2016 with a single client, her firm has grown to a team of nine members over nine years. Thomas discussed the transition to a niche practice, the demand she experienced, particularly during COVID, and the various aspects of building and scaling her business, including the challenges of hiring and the importance of marketing in a non-recurring service industry.

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Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.

And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions:

What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? One of the hardest things in growing a small business is learning to let go and trust others. In the early stages, founders do everything themselves, but real growth requires delegation—handing off control, hiring the right people, and stepping back from daily operations to focus on strategy. As Margeaux Thomas shared on the podcast, bringing on a managing attorney and leaning into growth and marketing instead of staying in every case was a major shift. It's also tough to manage cash flow, hire well (especially for remote teams), say no to misaligned clients—which she calls "the best money we never made"—and keep believing in your vision before it becomes reality.
What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Margeaux Thomas mentioned that the business book that helped her the most is The Personal Assistant Advantage. It inspired her to hire a personal assistant, which turned out to be a game-changer. She shared how it helped her offload life admin tasks so she could focus on being present with her family and grow her firm—saying her assistant is better at it than she is and actually loves the work. For Margeaux, that support created space for her to lead more effectively and avoid burnout.
Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Margeaux Thomas shared that the most impactful learning resource for her has been business coaching—both group and one-on-one. She said it's been the best investment she's made since starting her firm. Coaching gave her clarity, accountability, and someone to help her "see around corners." As for podcasts, she previously listened to Maximum Lawyer, especially in the early stages of growing her law firm. While that podcast has since evolved, it played a big role in her initial professional development.
What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Margeaux Thomas recommends having a great bookkeeper as one of the most important tools to help grow a small business. She admits that numbers and finance aren't her strength, so bringing on a solid bookkeeper early helped her stay focused on what she does best—building the business, serving clients, and leading her team. It gave her the clarity and confidence to make smarter business decisions without getting overwhelmed by the financial side.
What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Margeaux Thomas said if she could give herself advice on day one of starting her business, it would be to reassure herself that this is the best decision she'll ever make. Despite the fear and uncertainty she felt when leaving her job with no clients lined up, she emphasized that she never looked back and is incredibly grateful she took that leap. She'd remind herself not to catastrophize the risk—because even if it didn't work out, she could always get another job. Taking that first step was the hardest, but it led to the most rewarding journey of her life.

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Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Rest is just as important as work if you want to lead and grow well – Margeaux Thomas

Capacity precedes growth—take the risk, and the reward usually follows – Margeaux Thomas You need to step away from the grind to see the big picture – Margeaux Thomas

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