We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Marsicano, Esq. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, how do you define success?
While everyone’s definition of success is unique, success to me is synonymous with self-determination; our ability to make our own choices and manage our own lives. The right to have and determine our own choices, especially as women, is a huge part of achieving equality in our society, and why one of my focuses this past year has been launching Business Showers for women who have started their own business. This is a small shift we can make in how we treat women choosing non-traditional paths and defining success on their own terms. Launching my own businesses has provided me that feeling of autonomy that I never felt as an associate at a law firm. And now, whether it’s through my law firm Marsicano + Leyva, my empowerment platform Networking Maverick, or my nonprofit community Women for Success, I’m combining my skillset and passion for business law with a mission to help women gain confidence to launch their own businesses, become financially independent, and define success on their own terms. woot woot!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My main drive is to help professionals and entrepreneurs (and especially women) find the confidence they need to build their legacy. I know what it’s like to feel insecure and question myself. Having an attorney or business consultant on your side can help guide you and reinforce the path ahead. My passion and experience helping Fortune 100 companies sets me apart from other lawyers, consultants, or professionals. There’s an old African proverb that says if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together. Well, I say, if you want to go fast AND far, invest in yourself and a team of experts!

The three-character traits that I believe drive this success and set me apart from others in my field are: 1.) My Ability to Make Friends, 2.) My Tenacity, and 3.) My Confidence in the Face of Adversity.

Moving around the country 15 times meant that I was the “new girl” a lot. Each time, I was faced with a similar choice: either relinquish myself to a comfortable corner OR get out of my comfort zone and make new friends. My ability to build relationships and truly connect with people sets me apart from many of my colleagues, and it’s an invaluable skill whether you want to launch or own practice or become a “rainmaker” at a firm. Law may be reason free from passion, but relationships aren’t! Focus on building authentic connections rather than viewing everyone as a potential dollar sign or sales mark.

My tenacity has helped me to remain consistent and determined even (and maybe especially) when I’m told I can’t do something. As a female litigator, we have a lot going against us, behind the scenes and in court. Although it’s gotten better, there will still be many people telling you “how it is” and expecting you to fall in line. I may litigate law and order, but I have never been one go silently along if I believed there was a better way or a way that might seem outrageous but could work. Lines are often redrawn and it’s definitely a balance. But, without resilience and tenacity, you’ll get swept away by the tide of tradition rather than seeking out new routes and fighting for better future in the law.

Lastly, my confidence in the face of adversity. Many people fail to launch a business or experience any growth because of their own insecurities. What they don’t realize is that they can use those insecurities to build confidence! Much like courage is not the absence of fear but the mastery of it, so too confidence is not the absence of insecurities but the mastery of them. Knowing your insecurities and the root cause shows a person’s ability to dig deep into self-discovery, to recognize what their insecurities and what they mean about who they are, and to use that anxiety as a motivator to build confidence. Growing up, not only was I the “new girl” but I was also curvy at a young age. The first step to building my confidence to make friends and accept myself was first recognizing the insecurities. To this day, I still have insecurities creep in, like many women who experience imposter syndrome. Most recently, my body confidence issue creeped back in due to the pandemic and weight gain. I stopped showing up, on social media and for myself, because I felt insecure about how I looked. Then, once I realized the root of my insecurities, I knew what I had to do. I needed to start showing up BIG and do something that pushed me out of my comfort zone and dealt directly with my insecurities. So, I posted a video of me, in a bathing suit, dancing in a bubble bath practicing self-care at the Aloft Delray Beach. I was TERRIFIED to post the video. And as soon as I heard the insecurities in my head pop up, I knew it was exactly what I needed to do. Once I posted it, it became one of my highest engaging posts ever, and I had hundreds of people commenting and messaging me that they wish they had MY confidence. Well, the truth is, you can! Whatever insecurities you hear in your mind, use them. They’ll direct you to the exact path to build your own confidence, because confidence is not the absence of insecurities but the mastery of them.

If you want to build confidence and your legacy, then I’d love for you to reach out, whether you need a business lawyer, consultant, or just a cheerleader in your corner.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
What I love about Miami is the culture! It’s truly like living in another country when you visit Miami, and each different area offers a new and unique experience of flavors, sites, and experiences. I’d probably start by driving them across the bridge over Biscayne, which has the most famous skyline views of Miami and have them dip their toes in the beach in that area. For the first night, I’d let them relax while we have dinner and a view at Amara at Paraiso. In the morning, I’d take them for some croquettes and pan de bono (my personal favs!) at Ricky Bakery. We’d head over to Miracle Mile in Coral Gables for some window shopping and picture taking before having lunch at Clutch Burger (best burgers around). That night, I’d take them to Wynwood for some fun and food! I love Coyo Taco (and the speakeasy in the back) as well as Wynwood Walls, closing the night at SHOTS Bar (which always has some great music). For brunch, my favorite is ZUMA Miami. This Japanese fusion brunch on the water is as delicious as it is picture perfect. I always go here for my big celebrations, and after the bottomless ZUMA brunch, I’d recommend allowing the rest of the day for relaxation. I absolutely love Lapis Spa at Fontainebleau Miami Beach! During Miami Spa Month (which I’d recommend sampling), they have great deals on indulgent experiences while allowing access to all the amenities and the pool areas. You could easily spend an entire weekend at this hotel and never have to leave the property (great for a staycation as well). Throughout the week, I’d also take them too other local favorites, including Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens, Perez Art Museum, Vizcaya Gardens, Palapa, Sugar (best rooftop bar and view of downtown Miami), Brickell City Center, Aventura Mall, South Beach (especially a Drag Brunch at Palace), a Miami Heat Game, a Marlins Game, Calle Ocho, Los Altos Speakeasy, Sergio’s Restaurant, and Coconut Grove, just to name a few of my favorites! There are so many more, but the beauty of Miami is the history and also the community that we are surrounded by daily.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Where I am now could only have happened with the inspiring family, friends, and mentors I’ve had throughout my life. My husband, Sebastian Alvarez, is a constant source of support and inspiration; his creativity and perspective has helped me to expand my own confidence on what is possible and encouraged me to launch my own law firm. My mother, Nancy Marsicano, is the first person that taught me about P.M.A. (Positive Mental Attitude). It’s a family motto that we say to each other and ourselves, especially when times are stressful. I even have it written on my mirror so that it’s the first thing I see when I wakeup. My father, Tom Marsicano, who showed me that success isn’t linear, and we each can forge our own paths in life and business. My sister, Dr. Elizabeth Marsicano, is also someone that was both a sister and mentor growing up, She showed me the power of hard work and determination in the face of adversity, and she showed me that you didn’t have to give up who you are in order to succeed in male dominated fields. My business partner, Carolina Leyva, Esq., also challenges and pushes me in business (and in life!). I have so many more family, friends, and colleagues that are always encouraging and supporting my projects and big dreams, especially my nonprofit Board of Women for Success: Rosella Papale, Odalys Quevedo, Rosanna Molinari-Weber, Flavia Berti, Kayla Blake, Leisis Stevenson, Lis Mesa, Olga Hernandez, Magda Holovka, and Emily Cabrera. When we lift as we climb and truly support each other, MAGIC is possible. To everyone that has believed in and supported me throughout my life, I want to dedicate this to you. Cheers to many more years of success and happiness for us all!

Website: https://mlesquire.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/networkingmaverick/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-marsicano-esq-networking-maverick/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LawByLauren

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NetworkingMaverick

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/networkingmaverick

Other: https://ifundwomen.com/projects/wfs-business-showers-women-owned-businesses

Image Credits
VCV Agency, Scarlette Colston Photography, Omar Shinez Photography, RP Branding Studio, Sebastian Alvarez Frame Tale Studios.

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