 photography: Geraldine Rodriguez |
It’s time to stop second guessing yourself and make the bold moves that you dream about.
|
The Straightforward – No Frills Version
(narrated in the third person because it just feels right)
Patrice N. Perkins is the owner of Lifestyle Zen, a law firm for creative entrepreneurs and an attorney for creative entrepreneurs, risk takers and dream makers. Her practice areas include business set-up and maintenance, transactional law and intellectual property, serving clientele that spans all creative industries. Dubbed the “creative attorney,” Patrice understands the unique needs of creatives. In addition to direct services, she offers a workshop series Real Law for Creative Entrepreneurs to educate creatives on the real law that they need to successfully transform their craft from hobby to business, now. Patrice is a regular presenter on legal topics affecting the needs of creative entrepreneurs. She enjoys providing counsel to creative entrepreneurs, helping them protect their businesses, brands and long-term sustainability.
In law school, Patrice worked as Business and Publications Editor of the DePaul Health Law Journal where she oversaw the publication of seven issues of the Journal. Patrice also worked in DePaul’s Civil Rights Legal Clinic to provide pro bono legal services to plaintiffs of police brutality cases. Through the clinic, she was a contributing researcher for In the Shadows of the War on Terror, Persistent Police Brutality and Abuse of People of Color in the United States: A Report Prepared for the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, presented in Geneva, Switzerland.
Patrice is widely published on lifestyle, work/life balance and productivity, and has contributed to CBS Chicago and The CRAVE Company, an international lifestyle company that cultivates and connects women business owners in over 30 markets. Patrice will continue to share the importance of work-life balance and how others can balance it all through her non-traditional approach to the world. Patrice was recognized by Rolling Out as one of the Top 25 Women in Chicago. In Patrice’s spare time, she serves on the Future Leaders Council for the YWCA.
Education
Juris Doctor, DePaul University College of Law
B.S. Business Economics, Florida A&M University
Professional Associations
Advisory Panel, American Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
Bar Admissions
Illinois
Patrice is very detailed and thorough. She goes above what it takes to ensure the client’s legal needs are taken care of. I highly recommend Patrice because of her genuine desire to see her client’s excel in business while ensuring that they are balanced in their work-professional life through her blog, MyLifestyleZen.com.
-Dawgelene “Dr. Dawj” Sangster
The Full Story
As a college student, I was on the same track as most of my peers. Graduate with a degree, in a discipline that interested me, and upon graduation, seek a job in that industry. You see…10 years ago, there wasn’t so much support for entrepreneurship, leaps of faith and going against the grain. But now things are different…
Entrepreneurship is the New Black
…new resources, social media and all that jazz make business ownership within reach. During law school, I knew that I wanted to work with small business owners like you – to help you create a business that lasts. I was still on the track of the “Old American Dream” and wanted the freedom of entrepreneurship, but hadn’t yet figured out how it would play out for me. What I did know, was that hearing others share their dreams moved me. Seeing dreams turn reality inspired me. If there were a Dream Kool-aid…I’d be the first one in line to sip it. Don’t judge me.
I knew that one day I would help bring life
to the entrepreneurial dreams of others.
Even if I did it while working for someone else.
I was an atypical law student, working full time (and at one point multiple jobs) while attending school at night, working as an editor for the Health Law Journal, other extra curriculars and yes, a social life. I was damned busy. The real world, academia and my friends and family all had something to teach me. I was thrilled to approach the next phase of life, however…
I didn’t know many people whose careers
really made them happy.
I began a frantic search for what made me happy. Immediately after graduation, I realized that writing contributed to my happiness. A conversation with a good friend revealed that maintaining a healthy work-life balance and sharing my insights with others kept me happy. I had always integrated work-life balance into my world, but just hadn’t named it. Lastly, I knew that using my new legal muscle to help others fulfill their dreams was going to make me happy as well. The key was putting it all together and voila…
Lifestyle Zen was born.
Like you, my path hasn’t been easy. It was down right scary. Some days I asked myself, “Patrice, why couldn’t you just be a lawyer?” That’s challenging enough in itself. I decided to take on this venture, baby step by baby step. Before I knew it, I had done it.
I am sharing my story with you to let you know that I get it. I get you. Entrepreneurship is challenging. It’s intimidating. It can feel downright impossible, especially when there is a whole sea of us out there. I’ve learned that anything is possible, with focus, proper planning and having the necessary resources in place. The fact that you are on this page…says a whole lot about you. You are serious about building a business, not just for today, but for the future.
My goal with Lifestyle Zen is to help make lifelong entrepreneurship possible for you. I focus on preventive lawyering – giving you the Real Law that you need now, to build and protect a successful business and brand. Work-life balance is vital to successful and healthy entrepreneurship, and through my blog and other resources I offer tips so that you can live freely, boldy and…
