How Michelle Lynn Built The Leaguelle to Protect Founder Brands

Please share a brief introduction and your business:

Hi, I’m Michelle Lynn, founder of The Leaguelle. I’m a trademark attorney who helps entrepreneurs legally protect the brands they’re working so hard to build. Before opening my practice, I was a founder myself. I built and ran an apparel brand, scaling it to 120+ locations nationwide. I understand the excitement, pressure, and risk that comes with naming and growing a business.

Today, I work with founders at every stage to make sure they actually own their brand names, logos, and creative assets. My approach is strategic, founder-friendly, and focused on helping you build a brand you can confidently scale without legal surprises.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Yes, entrepreneurship has always been part of who I am. Even as a kid, I was constantly starting little businesses. In high school, I started a dry-cleaning delivery service, coordinating pickups and drop-offs for busy families before and after school.

Looking back, it’s clear I’ve always been wired to spot opportunities, take initiative, and build something from nothing. Becoming an entrepreneur as an adult wasn’t a pivot, it was a return to what I’d been doing all along, just at a bigger scale and with more intention.

Take us back to when you launched? What was your marketing strategy?

My practice is still relatively new, so I’ve focused heavily on education as a growth strategy. Most founders don’t realize that trademarks are an absolute necessity to their business, not a “later” step. By prioritizing education and clear conversations over traditional marketing, I’ve been able to build trust, raise awareness, and attract clients who truly understand the value of protecting their brand.

What accomplishments are you the most proud of to date in your business?

One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is successfully overcoming difficult trademark office actions on behalf of my clients. These are moments where a business owner is told their brand may not be protectable, and the stakes feel very real. Being able to step in, advocate strategically, and ultimately help clients secure protection for the brands they’ve worked so hard to build is incredibly rewarding.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

I wish I had leaned into mentorship sooner. Building a business can feel isolating, and early on I tried to figure too much out on my own. What I’ve learned is that surrounding yourself with people who have already been where you’re going, asking questions, listening, and being open to guidance, can save you time, energy, and unnecessary mistakes. Community and mentorship aren’t shortcuts; they’re accelerators.

What did you go before starting your own business?

Before starting my own firm, I followed a more traditional legal path. I earned my law degree from Cornell Law School and began my career practicing law in a conventional setting. While the work was challenging and respected, I quickly realized it didn’t fully resonate with me. I was drawn less to rigid systems and more to creativity, problem-solving, and helping people build something of their own.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I often joke that I’m allergic to having a boss, but taking the leap to start my own firm was very real, and very scary. Walking away from a traditional, predictable legal path meant betting on myself, trusting my instincts, and accepting uncertainty.

I did it because I knew I wanted more than safety. I wanted alignment. I wanted to build something that reflected my values, my creativity, and the way I believe founders should be supported. Starting my own business required courage, but it also gave me the freedom to create a modern, founder-first legal practice and do the work that truly lights me up.

Do you have any recent wins?

Opening my firm this year has been my biggest win. Taking the leap of faith to bet on myself, step away from the traditional path, and build a practice aligned with my values took real courage. Seeing that decision turn into momentum, serving clients, protecting their brands, and growing through relationships and education, has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m proud of what I’ve built so far.

Who are your customers?

I work primarily with women-led businesses, founders, and entrepreneurs who are building brands they actually want to scale. Many of my clients are in the early-to-growth stages, launching a new business, rebranding, expanding into new offerings, or finally ready to protect a name they’ve been using for years.

They’re creatives, consultants, coaches, e-commerce founders, and service-based business owners who understand that their brand is one of their most valuable assets and want to protect it the right way, from the start.

What's your favorite business tool?

Right now, my favorite business “tool” is community, specifically spaces like Entreprenista. Being surrounded by other women founders who are building, asking thoughtful questions, and openly sharing experiences has been incredibly valuable. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to build alone, and that learning from people who are in it with you can be just as powerful as any software or system.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Build your business on a solid legal foundation early. When your brand is properly protected, it gives you a level of confidence that’s hard to overstate. You can market, grow, and scale without constantly wondering if you’re exposed or at risk. Legal protection isn’t just about avoiding problems; it’s about giving yourself the freedom to show up fully and build boldly.

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