What is the Longhair Lifestyle?
I grew up in Ritzville, Washington, a small town full of family businesses – farms, ranches, grocery stores, fast-food franchises, restaurants, towing companies – you name it. Growing up, I always dreamed of having my own business. Having decided to become a lawyer at the age of 16, I always assumed that business would be a law practice.
A decade later, when I started The Longhair Lawyer, I experienced a moment of satisfaction. I’d made it. I had a service-based business I could call my own. In that moment, I was just like the ranchers and construction contractors I grew up working for – or so I thought.
The thing is, lawyers – especially ones focused on business law – are just consultants. We advise others on how to run their businesses but have no stake in the outcome. We hide behind disclaimers and malpractice insurance policies. While we get to solve problems, we scarcely get to create anything new.
I love being a lawyer and I genuinely believe The Longhair Lawyer will be a lifelong endeavor. My shingle will probably stay up until I die or lose my mind – which I’m hoping will be at least 72 years from now. In the meantime, what’s to stop me from engaging in other pursuits, building businesses where I have a meaningful stake, and creating new things?
Everyone who knows me knows I have a lot of interests. On a personal level, that translates to a lot of hobbies – backpacking, hunting, fishing, rock climbing, water sports, snow skiing, guitar, triathlons, classic cars, boats, van life, and weightlifting. On a professional level, it translates to a lot of business ideas – bar ownership, publishing, house flipping, property management, construction contracting, gym ownership, and a whole lot more. As I move through life, I hope to put some of these business ideas to the test. That’s one reason I’ve created the Longhair Lifestyle, which serves as the parent company to these non-law businesses.
Why The “Longhair” Lifestyle?
When I decided to start my own law practice, I knew it would be centered on helping people manage their businesses and their lives. I also knew I needed to separate myself from the image of elitism and greed that is projected onto all lawyers. I began to think about the ways in which I, personally, didn’t fit the image.
I named my law practice The Longhair Lawyer because I want the world to realize being a lawyer isn’t about dressing the part or talking louder than the next guy. It’s about being kind, authentic, and approachable. Only after I chose the name did I learn that, according to the dictionary, “longhair” also means “hippie” and “an impractical intellectual.” I can’t think of a term that would better describe some of my favorite people in the world.
That “Longhair” image has resonated with so many people that it seems selfish to save it just for the practice of law. As far as I’m concerned, being a “Longhair” isn’t about what’s on top of your head. It’s about being kind, approachable, authentic, and maybe a little different from the norm – no matter what you do for a living.
I hope that, through The Longhair Lifestyle, I can show the world that empathy, ethics, and entrepreneurship go hand in hand. I want people to realize that their dreams aren’t out of reach. I want the world to see that – with enough hard work and careful planning – anybody can be their own boss.
Where to Begin?
It shouldn’t surprise you that three years of solo law practice straight out of law school hasn’t raised the capital required to buy a restaurant, a gym, or a house to flip. Since the idea behind The Longhair Lifestyle is to make the world realize anyone can be their own boss, it wouldn’t make sense to seek out private equity or take on substantial debt to start a business. As I see it, that leaves me with one option – start businesses with low overhead and decent profit margins, preferably ones I already have relevant skills in.
Easier said than done. Lucky for me, two very different things fit the bill – publishing a book and construction contracting. Hence, The Longhair Linguist and The Longhair Laborer were born.