The Shingle: Dos & Don'ts of Hanging Out Your Own Shingle | The Unscripted Order Podcast Ep. 16

Two judges. Two mics. No guests. No filter.Episode 16 of The Unscripted Order Podcast is here — and this one is for every attorney, entrepreneur, consultant, freelancer, or anyone who has ever thought about betting on themselves."The Shingle" is our deep dive into what it actually takes to hang out your own shingle — the dos, the don'ts, and the stuff nobody puts in the curriculum.Judge Smalls and Judge Bugg both ran their own practices before taking the bench. In this episode they hold nothing back — from the financial realities of day one, to the clients you should have never taken, to what they now see from the bench that tells them someone didn't have the right support when they started.And we kept the mics hot for the Off the Record segment. You'll want to stay till the end.─────────────────────────────────────TOPICS COVERED:─────────────────────────────────────✅ How both judges made the leap from employed attorney to solo practice✅ Building your referral network before you need it✅ Why knowing your lane matters more than taking every case✅ The financial reality of starting with nothing✅ The $1,500 case that lasted two and a half years✅ Why your reputation is your only real asset✅ The cash flow anxiety nobody warns you about✅ Mental health and the hidden cost of going solo✅ What impressive solo practitioners do differently in the courtroom✅ Advice for anyone sitting on the fence right now─────────────────────────────────────THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU IF:─────────────────────────────────────→ You're an attorney considering going solo or small firm→ You're an entrepreneur building something from scratch→ You're a law student thinking about what comes after the bar→ You're already in it and need to know you're not alone─────────────────────────────────────CONNECT WITH US:─────────────────────────────────────🎙 Instagram: @UnscriptedOrder🎙 Spotify: Search "Unscripted Order"🎙 Apple Podcasts: Search "Unscripted Order"Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.─────────────────────────────────────DISCLAIMER:─────────────────────────────────────Nothing in this podcast is intended to create an attorney-client relationship or constitute legal advice. All content is for educational and informational purposes only. If you have a legal question, please consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.