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Paralegal Successfully Transitioned from Legal World to Hospitality Industry

By ParalegalGateway.com

Shirley Wick was nearly born in a police car, and she?s been speeding along ever since.

After a high school teacher said he wouldn?t waste time helping her because she was a girl, Wick was even more determined. By age 18, she was the administrative secretary for six criminal attorneys. Later she owned a paralegal company for 23 years.

A member of Executive Women International, Wick knows the benefits of relationships and networking.

She recently took time to tell CSBJ about herself and her company.

Company: Old Town GuestHouse

Position: Senior partner and president

Hometown: St. Paul, Minn.

How long have you lived in Colorado Springs: It will be 3 years July 1.

Education: Bachelor?s degree, with paralegal certification from the University of Minnesota.

A few words about your company: Old Town GuestHouse is a AAA 4-Diamond Bed and Breakfast. It has eight soundproof rooms, with seven balconies that overlook Pikes Peak and/or Garden of the Gods. One room is Americans with Disabilities Act-approved, four have private outdoor hot tubs and three have steam showers. We serve three-course hot-plated gourmet breakfasts, plus afternoon beverages and light appetizers. We also have conference, library and dining rooms.

Recent accomplishments: I served on the board of the 1,500-member Minnesota State Paralegal?s Professional Organization for 12 years ? two as national representative and two as president. The most current accomplishment has been starting a successful business in a brand new town with my husband as my business partner.

Biggest career break: Starting my own freelance probate paralegal business Jan. 1, 1983, and being successful with it for 23 years ? all without even a hint of a lawsuit. It allowed me to be home for my two sons, much more so than working in a law firm would have allowed.

The toughest part of your job: Finding good employees ? honesty, loyalty and timeliness are my most important requirements. The next most difficult thing is letting businesses know we have facilities for their conference/video conference needs.

Someone you admire: My mom. Even though she had only an eighth-grade education when my dad died, she went to business school, got a decent-paying secretarial job and kept both of us off the street. She taught me to be very independent.

About your family: My husband, Donald, and I have two sons, Matthew and Jeffrey. We also have one grandson, Matthew Lee.

Something else you?d like to accomplish: I?d love to volunteer ? maybe in the line of helping adults learn to read or tutoring of some kind.

How your business will change during the next decade: I see our business growing in video conferencing, becoming more and more green (even though we do a lot of recycling and special lighting now) and becoming more of a small-specialized retreat center.

What book are you currently reading? ?Life Support? by Tess Gerritsen.

What is the one thing you would change about Colorado Springs? I?d like to expand other small business owners? understanding of how to treat customers, how to focus a store on one line of items, how many hours you need to be open to capitalize on vacationers, and that bringing in other beneficial businesses, whether permanent or seasonal, to an area will enhance your bottom line, not detract from it. (more >>>)

Full post as published by ParalegalGateway Blawg on June 13, 2008 (boomark / email).