Meet Beth Lebowitz of Auxana

Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Lebowitz.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve been in Arizona since 2006 and am an ASU Law grad (2011). Originally from the East Coast, I made my way to the Valley via New Orleans and loved it here. I started my legal practice working with start-up companies and doing corporate and securities work and M&A at a small local firm in Scottsdale.

Having worked with over 40 clients in early-stage markets, I learned a few things about what it takes to jump off a cliff and try to disrupt an industry. I knew in my gut that the way things have always been done in the legal world had to go by the wayside to make room for ideas that are scary.

Speaking of scary, I quit my job at a great law firm where I was on a successful career path. As a new mom with student loans and all the other responsibilities that pile on once you start a family, leaving this security behind was, personally, one of the hardest steps I’ve ever taken, but I knew it was the right one. So, I quit my job to become outsourced general counsel.

To make this work, I needed to find a handful of companies that wanted what my first client, Parchment, had — all the benefits of having general counsel without the huge price tag. To do this right, I needed to prove the model with a handful of companies, get feedback, iterate, and learn from the companies that took this leap of faith with me.

Then I killed the billable hour. Economically, it simply doesn’t make sense to consume hours, or parts of hours, at the level that these companies need once hitting a certain stage of growth. What I’ll say now is that this model doesn’t serve most clients today, and is ripe for disruption. That’s what we are doing at Auxana.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Entrepreneurship is by definition a curvy, bumpy, windy road, but I will say that I’ve been very grateful to be supported by an awesome community of companies, executives, and advisors, which has helped cushion some of the bumps and curves. Some of the most difficult challenges are to prioritize, focus, and then realize that it takes a village and learn to delegate and manage the individuals you select to go on this journey with you. A company takes a lot of people and selecting the right people and delegating appropriately is crucial.

Auxana – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We promote the “fractional executive” model for attorneys who are looking to potentially kick-start their solo practice, escape the golden handcuffs of many traditional law firms, or even those who just want more control and flexibility over their lives. Auxana attorneys can choose to work with multiple companies, seek various levels of engagement, see what they like, and figure out where they shine. Many of the attorneys we work with also find that it’s both exciting and fascinating to serve multiple companies consecutively, learning from each, and bringing their best practices to their book of business.

Not only do we strive to empower the attorney, but we’re also looking to do right by the businesses who employ the Auxana GC as well. Our goal is to help align incentives between the business and the attorney. Business leadership can utilize the Auxana platform to not only hone in on an outsourced GC who specializes in the precise type of business counsel they need but who aligns with the company’s culture, vision and objectives. Beyond simply hiring legal counsel – which is easy enough to do – the organization who works with Auxana has the opportunity to enlist a culturally-compatible legal partner, and this compatibility has the potential to evolve into a long-term, advantageous partnership for everyone involved.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
One of the biggest lessons for me, personally, and that I’m still learning, is that success truly is how YOU define it. We all have different motivations, unique abilities, personality quirks, and circumstances. What is successful to one person is not successful for the next. And, most importantly, notions of success tied to commercialized ideas of certain amounts of money and title, are fundamentally flawed and almost certainly lead to burnout.

For me, success is about freedom, independence, and flexibility to work with clients that I have long-standing relationships with and follow my entrepreneurial crazy ideas, while also being mom to my two daughters and able to attend school events, cook breakfast and dinner together and always be home at bedtime.

Secondly, and also importantly, success is how other people think about you and care about you. The closeness of your community; your neighborhood. People who are ready and willing to go to bat for you when asked – this support network is a marker of success.

Pricing:

• As an example of fees, Outsourced GC roles can start at $2,500 per month up to $10,000 per month for an in-house legal executive, based on the size of the company and the nature of the role the attorney takes on with the company.
• Startups can take advantage of strategy sessions with our experienced business attorneys for as little as $500- $1000 per month.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.auxana.co
• Email: marketing@auxana.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auxanainc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuxanaInc/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/auxanainc
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=auxanainc

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