Ten Startups Later, an Offer for Free Legal Advice is a Success

Jason is a startups and small business lawyer based in Portland.

They can handle pitching to a room full of investors and juggling the needs of thousands of users, but when it comes to legal obstacles, startup founders often get intimidated fast.

It can be hard to find a lawyer who knows founders well enough to anticipate their needs and make legal jargon understandable. If you also consider the fact that lawyers charge high hourly rates whether or not their clients understand what they're saying, it makes sense that founders prefer to steer clear of those in the legal profession for as long as they can.

It's no surprise that when Jason offered to sit down with users of the Portland Startups Switchboard and give them free legal advice, they jumped at the chance.

Why did you start using the PDX Startups Switchboard?

Switchboard appeared to be an obvious tool to connect with the Portland Startup community. Although I'm not with a startup, the startup attorneys in Portland understand that it's important to connect with and contribute to the community. This seemed like a great way to do it!

You offered free legal advice to local startups. How did that go?

I had never offered anything quite like this before to the public. I was nervous putting myself out there, because above all I wanted to provide a good experience to everyone. Switchboard seemed like a great place because it engenders some level of honest communication, and people can communicate with sincerity.

I know that startup entrepreneurs are sometimes trepidatious about talking to a lawyer because of the grab-bag of stereotypes attributed to the profession. It's a very important stage early on in business, and I had no doubt that there were at least 10 companies out there that knew they needed a lawyer but had not seen one. Also, the startup community has done so much for me early on in my career. I wanted to give something back.

The first thing I noticed when I made the post was support from the community. After that, appointments started trickling in through the link I provided. Within five days, the appointments were filled. Everyone that had an appointment with me was very nice, showed up on time, and was very interested in learning more about current/potential legal issues. It was a lot of fun.

Would you recommend the PDX Startups Switchboard to friends?

Yes. There is an active community in Portland, and Switchboard is one place it convenes. I've had great experiences with it so far, so I would want others to have that as well. Even friends that are not involved in startups can contribute and get benefit from the PDX Startups Switchboard.

PDX Startups Switchboarders Bring New Community Members into the Fold

The Portland startups community is incredibly generous, so it shouldn't be surprising that their Switchboard is incredibly welcoming. Users of the Portland Startups Switchboard help one another find jobs, offer each other advice, and host events that bring the community together.

They don't reserve generosity for people they know, either. The Portland Startups Switchboard also helps people who are new to the city. We asked a few questions of one such PDX pilgrim, Dea, who, with of the help the community, landed a job in Portland three days after she moved here. 

When and why did you start using the PDX Startups Switchboard?

I decided to make the move from San Francisco to Portland about three months prior to finding out about the PDX Startups Switchboard. My dad volunteers at the Tualatin Wildlife Refuge with a woman whose son, Rick Turoczy, is very involved in the Portland startup scene. Knowing that I thrive in a startup culture, my dad and his coworker connected me with Rick, who gave me great advice and information about startup events happening plus a link to the PDX Startups Switchboard. I loved the excitement and positive nature of the community on Switchboard and decided that it was where I would post my "Ask" for a new gig.

Could you talk about your experience finding your job?

It was amazing! Coming from a place where the general community views the startup culture somewhat negatively, it was refreshing to see a group of startup and tech people who have earned a positive relationship with their community.

Within two hours of posting, I had about four or five responses from people who didn't know of any openings in their own company but could recommend me to other companies and resources. About a week before I was set to move to Portland, I got a response from a company called Lytics that was looking for someone like me. We did a few phone interviews while I was still in San Francisco and then an in-person interview the day after I moved. I got the job the next day! Finding a job with a respected and promising startup within three days of moving to a new city was incredible. I know that the PDX Startups Switchboard was instrumental in making it happen.

Would you recommend the PDX Startups Switchboard to friends?

Yes! I already do! It is an amazing way to meet people who are interested in the same things you are and passionate about the up-and-coming Portland startup scene.

How to Find a Job Worth Dancing About

Last week Team Switchboard was honored by a visit from Aaron Epperson, a veteran member of the Portland Startups Switchboard and all around awesome guy. 

Aaron recently landed a job as the Technology Association of Oregon's (TAO) new Membership Coordinator through Switchboard and came by to say thanks and meet the team. We got pretty excited when he offered to write about how his success went down. In fact, we'll just let him take it from here:

Dear Mr. Epperson,

Thanks so much for applying to ACMETech. We’re really happy you took the hour and a half to sit on your couch and fill out our insane, random online application.  However, we regret to inform you that we’ve gone with another candidate. His name is Todd.

Todd has no less than seven Ph.D.’s, is a championship sailboat racer, and his girlfriend, Tammy, has promised to bake the office cookies every Thursday. We found out that you’re single and have a tendency to burn cakes. Honestly, who’s inept enough to burn cakes?

Thanks,
Don

It was probably after the seventh rejection letter that I started to panic. I had just moved back from the Bay Area after a five-year absence in my beloved Oregon. No one from the old days was left and I had just signed a lease.

I started in on the traditional job hunting tactics. LinkedIn, Craigslist, watching Netflix, thinking about going back to school, deciding I was moving to Thailand, then more LinkedIn. I kept telling myself that this should all be viewed as a surprise vacation and that the screams of my bank account could be ignored.

“Hey! I’m empty!” my bank account would yell.

“No,” I would explain, “You’re on a diet…It’s good for you…”

Eventually, I ended up going to one of the many MeetUp’s Portland has. Nothing's like good old fashioned networking. I milled around the room and shook hands with strangers. I smiled at their jokes as I shoved my business card at them. I mentioned my job hunt to a slender, older man in a gray hoodie.

“Oh, just go to the Portland StartUps Switchboard.”

“Switch what?” I asked through a mouthful of coffee.

“Switchboard,” he said, “It’s this thing where people put asks and offers. Everyone here uses it. It’s a thing.”

“Oh thanks, I’ll check it out.”

It took a week, but I finally did look it up. What greeted me was a really nice community that was active. It had recent posts with actual descriptions of what people wanted or had to offer. I also saw the names and pictures of who posted. The UI didn’t suck!

After LinkedIn and Craigslist, it all seemed so personal. It was also more than just jobs. Doug from ExtreamXCompany needed a Project Manager. Joan had advice on how to start a business. John wanted to give away a desk!

And then I found it! TAO needed a Membership Coordinator!

I read the post twice. Hey, we have a job that magically combines your interests and skill set while helping to promote and support the tech community in the whole state of Oregon. Also, we’ll do that thing where we pay you. I emailed them right away and applied. I held my breath until they called and asked for an interview. I danced!

To make this long story longer, I have found myself in one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. I spend my day solving problems, helping people, and learning a bunch of new things. What could be better?

Without the Portland StartUp Switchboard, none of it would have happened!

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Aaron Epperson is the Membership Coordinator for the Technology Association of Oregon. He's an Oregon native who's excited about seeing the tech industry thrive in the state. He enjoys nature, reading, and in no way wrote this bio. Nor does he wish for you to email him awesome suggestions on places to eat. Don't do that. aaron@techoregon.org