Alexandra Isenegger, CEO and Co-Founder of Linkilaw
Alexandra Isenegger is the CEO and co-founder of Linkilaw – the legal platform for startups. While working in a corporate law firm, Alexandra realised that the remarkable inefficiencies in the fee structures and business practices of large firms; created a business need for modern, efficient legal services for startups.
In 2015, at age 22, Alexandra left her corporate law firm job to move full time into Linkilaw. By 2017, Linkilaw had transformed from a legal marketplace to a multi-service legal platform for startups and SMEs and acquired the UK leading legal marketplace LawyerFair.
Following Linkilaw's success, Alexandra has been recognised as a thought leader in Legal Tech and has been quoted for her expertise by the Huffington Post, TechCrunch, the Telegraph, and Inc Magazine. In early 2018, Alexandra was honoured to be included in Forbes' 30 under 30, Young Entrepreneur of the Year by startups.co.uk and Woman in LegalTech by WomenInTech. Linkilaw was also voted one of the 100 best and fastest-growing businesses in the UK by startups.co.uk in 2019.
The pressures of running a high-growth startup as a young, female founder caused Alexandra to burn-out several times along the way. This forced her to identify a healthier way of processing the stresses inherent in her job. Her experiences led her to discover meditation, and it's a profound impact on learning to find the good in the bad.
Alexandra is also passionate about meditation and the effect it has on all aspects of life. She lives through honest, effective communication is the key to success in both ways, business, and our personal lives. This passion has led Alexandra to certify as a mediator and help resolve disputes peacefully.
Who do you most admire in business?
I can't point to a single person I admire. We're all human and unique, and I can find admiration in anyone. What I admire most is seeing people live their innermost passion. Seeing an entrepreneur passionate about diversity in their industry push the barriers of what's possible, witness a musician in love with their instrument, observe a sportsman or woman get lost in the moment.
When people do what they really love, they give their absolute 100%, and it's infatuating to watch. That's what I admire most. People who love what they do, and therefore bring this love into their work.
What companies or brands do you like or do you think are getting it right?
I really love Basecamp. First, they have a great yet simple product. Second, they have an amazing culture. Their focus is on what feels right, what makes people most happy and most productive, instead of following rigid ways of working. I find that sensational and something every business should prioritise.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Be clear on what you can and cannot change. If you can change something and want to change it, do it. If you cannot change it, accept it, allow it. Then your life becomes simple - not always easy, but definitely simple.
What drives or motivates you each day?
I'm just here to enjoy life and to learn. This is my motivation.
What are your thoughts on the future of social media?
I don't think about the future of social media. We are still getting used to technology, including social media. We are poor at balancing ourselves and monitoring our social media use, which creates addiction in many, many people - from childhood to old age.
I'd like to see an era where social media is used as the great tool that it is, by people who are measured and aware in their use of it.
Do you have a mentor or do you mentor anyone?
Both. A key part of my professional growth I owe to my mentors and mentees.
How do you network?
I break the rules by staying myself. Networking is mostly awkward and unnatural. I approach networking with radical honesty, voicing how I feel, even if it makes the situation even more awkward! Often, though, the result is that people open up more, and I guess you, therefore, also make yourself more memorable.
How did you get into this line of work and What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same line of work?
I followed my passion, and that's what I would advise to anyone else. Follow your deepest excitement. If you do what you love, the money will eventually come. The beauty of our generation is that, for perhaps the first time, it is more possible than ever to 'create your own career'. With enough love, passion, hard work and commitment, you can achieve anything. Anyone telling you otherwise is limited by their own beliefs.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
Nothing. I'm grateful for this learning experience - I couldn't imagine it any other way.
What’s the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Most people are not true to themselves. They take things on because they think they should or to satisfy other people's expectations. There is no passion in what they do. Naturally, they are bound to fail or give up.
How do you define success?
Success for me is contentment. Growing, learning, yet being fully satisfied now. That's my definition of success.
What do you think your unique skill(s) is that has helped you become successful?
Honesty - that's the main key to my success.
What valuable lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience?
Nothing outside of yourself will ever bring you fulfilment if there is no fulfilment within. Nothing outside will make you unfulfilled if you are fulfilled within.
Is there anything new you are working on that you would like to share?
Yes. I am starting to share more about integrating presence at the moment into the day to day that is running a business. I run workshops, coach and mentor entrepreneurs and executives around that. Feel free to connect with me if you'd like to learn more about my work.
Where’s your favourite place?
Right now, I love Lisbon. It's a beautiful city with a village feel to it, and lots of nature all around!
What is your hobby?
I love to spend time in nature - beach, forest, river, lake, mountain. I don't discriminate!
Most embarrassing experience?
Usually involves taking jokes too far.
What are you not very good at? What are you good at?
I'm not very good at planning in advance. It's a struggle for me.
I am good at bringing things together, spinning many plates at once.
Which words do you overuse?
My friend recently pointed out I overuse the words 'can you' ;)
Your social media platform of choice?
I don't use it much, but my favourite is Instagram.
When are you happiest?
Now. When I live in the moment.
Your favourite writer, author, movie, singer & TV show?
Writer - Honoré de Balzac
Movie - Primal Fear, American Gangster, Thank you for smoking, Shawshank Redemption to name a few.
Singer - probably Bob Marley and Aretha Franklin
TV Show - Shark Tank