Value Added Partner Stories
11th December 2024
Author EditorPosted on Categories Business
It is the turn of Jonathan Lea, founder and Managing Director of law firm the Jonathan Lea Network, to be in the spotlight.
Tell us your story
After growing up in Lewes and going to Eastbourne College, I studied at Bristol University and the University of Law before then starting my law career at the London office of one of the large international firms. I then stayed in London for a few more years, but grew tired of working endless long hours as a City solicitor. This led me to working in Cornwall for two years, before then deciding to become a self-employed consultant solicitor, starting from a one bed flat near Peckham. This allowed me to build my own client base and brand, then eventually employ people and become an SRA regulated law firm in 2019, based in Haywards Heath. I now live within walking distance from our office with my partner and our two-year-old son. When not busy with family life, I continue to work hard in keeping the firm running and finding ways to grow the business further.
What has been your biggest business challenge to date?
Leaving our serviced offices and committing to a five-year lease for a much bigger space to grow into was a particular challenge. We eventually moved in November 2021. The refurbishment costs were more than I was expecting and several employees left around the same time which compounded the stress and uncertainty.
What has been your greatest or proudest business achievement to date?
It was a significant milestone when we reached £2m annual turnover in 2023 after having started the firm on 1st May 2019. That was a time to reflect on all the efforts by everyone in the team to get us to that point and the positive aspects of the business we had developed.
What type of clients do you currently work with and who are you looking to meet?
We work with all types of individual and business clients and always find ways to help people, no matter how small or complex the issue. Having said that, most of our clients are companies and, as a result, we are always keen to meet more entrepreneurs and senior managers, as well as other professional advisers.
Tell us a story/fact about yourself that people might not know
In early 2017 I took a short career break when I met my then 18-year-old nephew at the southern end of India and drove an auto-rickshaw over 3,000 kilometres north to Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. We raised £4k for charity in the process and I also spent some time travelling around the UAE and Oman on my way back.
How do you define success?
Building a happy team while remaining profitable is a constant challenge and, ultimately, achieving both enables me to feel successful from a business perspective. Otherwise, I also measure success by being able to combine running a business with maintaining good health, finding time for family and increasing the degree of freedom and autonomy I can enjoy.