In this episode, host Ben Laifsky interviews Leah Martin, a prominent business attorney and principal of Leah Martin Law. Leah shares her professional journey, insights into business law, her love for networking, and her personal interests. With offices in Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Reno, Leah’s firm specializes in supporting businesses at all stages, from formation to growth and litigation. She also highlights her passion for helping businesses succeed through tailored legal strategies.

The conversation dives into Leah’s upbringing, career development, and love for hiking and reading, as well as her involvement in community organizations and networking groups. The episode balances professional advice with personal anecdotes, making it a valuable listen for business owners and professionals alike.

Highlights

Professional Insights

• Business Law Services: Leah’s firm handles business formation, licensing, contracts, trademarks, estate planning, and litigation.
• Client Relationships: The firm values collaboration, working closely with clients to tailor solutions to their unique needs.
• Contracts Matter: Leah emphasizes the importance of well-drafted contracts to avoid costly litigation.
• Common Misconceptions: Business attorneys aren’t just for bad news—they are crucial for growth and strategic planning.

Personal Background

• Early Life: Leah grew up in small towns in Indiana and Nevada, fostering creativity and independence.
• Career Path: Inspired by books like those by John Grisham, Leah pursued law but shifted from environmental law to business law after exploring various legal fields.
• Hiking Enthusiast: Leah enjoys hikes in the Las Vegas area, citing Lone Mountain and River Mountain Trail as favorites.
• Avid Reader: Leah recommends books like The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod and Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell to inspire productivity and balance.

Networking and Community

• Active Networker: Leah is involved in chambers of commerce, including Leadership Henderson, which she credits for deep professional and personal connections.
• Nonprofit Support: She praises organizations like Project Marilyn and the CARE Complex for their impactful community work.

Personal Philosophy

• Leah encourages taking action toward goals, advocating for incremental steps to achieve success.

Highlights:

• Introduction to Blackfire Innovation: Nicole describes Blackfire as a laboratory and showroom for cutting-edge technology in hospitality, gaming, and entertainment. Established through a partnership between UNLV and Caesars Entertainment, it showcases innovations from both major companies like LG and T-Mobile and UNLV students.
• Key Facilities and Programs:
  • SBDC: Nevada Small Business Development Center offers free confidential advising for small businesses.
  • Rebel Forge: A startup incubator for UNLV students, helping them launch their own businesses.
  • Makerspace: Supports small businesses preparing for trade shows and provides tools for prototyping.
• Profile of Blackfire’s Tenants: Focus on businesses innovating in hospitality, gaming, or entertainment, with examples like robotic cleaning solutions and immersive gaming tables.
• Unique Events and Partnerships:
  • Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association Expo: Annual event at Blackfire featuring innovations in hotel and lodging technology.
  • Demo Days: Events focused on showcasing a specific technology, with Brylon’s immersive display and robotics panel featuring LG and other companies.
  • Pitch Mayhem and Speed Networking: Regular events at Blackfire for startups, including pitch competitions and networking with industry professionals.
  • Capital Equity Symposium: Upcoming event dedicated to startup funding, addressing Nevada's need for more capital investment opportunities.
• Nicole’s Background: Born and raised in Henderson, Nicole shares her journey from aspiring child actor to her role in UNLV's Office of Economic Development.
• Personal Insights and Advice:
  • Favorite Books: Tuesdays with Morrie and Oh, the Places You’ll Go as reminders of life’s journey and balance.
  • Philosophy on Life: “Life is about choices”—advice from her father that guides her career and personal growth.

In this episode of Connect.Vegas, host Ben Laifsky speaks with Jeanette Jones, founder of Cottrill Research, about her fascinating work in competitive intelligence and market research. Jeanette, a professional librarian and researcher, shares insights into how she helps companies stay competitive in an increasingly complex data-driven world. Her journey from setting up corporate libraries at major institutions like Arthur Andersen and Bank One to founding her own research firm illustrates her deep expertise in gathering and analyzing business-critical information.

Jeanette talks about the evolution of research, from the days of printed binders to the vast and often overwhelming amount of online information available today. She explains how Cottrill Research stands out by providing clients with valuable, authoritative insights that are not easily found using standard research tools. Jeanette’s work focuses on competitive intelligence and supply market research, and she emphasizes the importance of understanding the credibility of information sources in today’s media landscape.

The conversation also touches on her early life, growing up in Marietta, Ohio, her career path, and her current love for Las Vegas, where she and her husband moved in 2010.