Paola Gabriela Zaragoza Cardenales Is Building a More Accessible Future for IP and Business Law

Please share a brief introduction and your business

Paola Gabriela Zaragoza Cardenales

• She is qualified to practice law in New York (she is a member of the New York Bar) (Maurer School of Law)
• She holds a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) degree from Indiana University Maurer School of Law
• She has an LL.M. in Intellectual Property / Law from the University of California, Berkeley
• Her undergraduate and professional degrees include a JD and a BBA from the University of Puerto Rico

Career & Work

• She works as a specialist in intellectual property, trademarks, corporate law, and supporting entrepreneurial ventures.
• She founded her own law firm, Zaragoza Cardenales LLC, based in Puerto Rico, which focuses on IP, corporate, and business law.
• She has served in internships and roles in prominent organizations, including at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and worked in courts and legal settings in Puerto Rico.
• She is also active in academia: she teaches at the University of Puerto Rico (e.g. “Introduction to Intellectual Property”) and holds leadership roles (such as coordinating international and graduate programs) within the law faculty there.

Research, Publications & Interests

• Her research interests include intellectual property, trademarks, industrial designs, geographical indicators, entrepreneurship, and law for SMEs and non-profits
• Some of her publications:
  
  • “Marca que no se registra, se la lleva la corriente; Toda marca tiene su final” (Didasko Magazine)
  • “When talking about your business, the name is not enough” (“El Nombre no hace la cosa y negocio”) in El Nuevo Día
  • “Not for profit organizations: comparative analysis between P.R. and U.S. tax treatment” in the UPR Law Journal
  • “Series LLC: Looking for Guidance in the Delaware Law” (Rev. Jur. UPR)
• She engages with the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and intellectual property, contributing commentary on how AI impacts IP strategy and business. chambers.com

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

I got the word out by cold emails and interviewing people for my thesis

‍Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Yes, I saw my parents accidentally become entrepreneurs when i was growing up, so it was in my veins

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

I registered a famous influencers stage name

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

About groups like Entreprenista

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

I would say a pet peeve of mine is getting asked to stop posting on social media "because its a conflict of interest" when its clearly not

What did you go before starting your own business?

World Intellectual Property, US Congress, Federal District Court of Puerto Rico

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

I always envisioned having a business, working on my own terms and time

Do you have any recent wins?

I have been to prestigous conferences

What's one app on your phone that you cannot live without?

Instagram almost all my leads come from there

Who are your customers?

SMEs

What's your top productivity tip?

have everything on my calendar and focus on one thing at a time

What's your favorite business tool?

Clio and QuickBooks are lifesavers they keep me on track

What's your approach to work-life balance?

I have working hours when I know ill be most productive, if I do work off hours is a waste of time

How do you avoid burn-out?

meditation, excersise and strict time off

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

dont think about it to much and go for it, it the idea sounds crazy the better

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