Inspiring Conversations with Rob Massar of RM Legal Studio
Link to interview here
Today we’d like to introduce you to Rob Massar.
Hi Rob, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born in Los Angeles, went to high school in Santa Barbara, CA, and then went on to play Division 1 baseball at the University of Richmond in Virginia. Following college, I worked for the MLB’s Urban Youth Academy in Compton, CA where I tutored and coached local youth. I then became the General Manager of the Santa Barbara Foresters, a semi-pro baseball team in Santa Barbara, CA. I recruited and managed the active player roster, hired and managed 16 interns, ran the Sales/Marketing/PR of the organization, and raised funds for the organization’s 501(c)(3) pediatric cancer charity Hugs for Cubs.
I then enrolled at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, CA where I concentrated in Entertainment and Business law and was an active member of the Entertainment and Sports Law Society. While in law school, I worked for three years as a talent scout for the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. I also worked at Paragon Sports International, a sports agency in Beverly Hills. Before my final year at Loyola, I went back to the Santa Barbara Foresters for a season and sat on the board, coached alongside Hall of Famer Bill Pintard, and played in the NBC World Series.
After passing the California Bar Exam, I was offered a full-time position with the New York Yankees but turned it down. I realized in client services and talent representation, I could have the most impact on people’s lives and do what I do best; solve problems and help people build their dreams. So I became a sports agent, representing professional baseball players for Paragon Sports International. I quickly realized, however, with my own practice I could help talent of all types: businesses, creatives, artists, and athletes. Now I have realized my lifelong dream of founding and running my own boutique practice.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It certainly has not been a “smooth” road. But the title of Ryan Holiday’s bestseller “The Obstacle is The Way” sums it up perfectly to me. I’ve always enjoyed challenging myself and pushing my limits. To run your own business, you have to do a lot of things you don’t know how to do or scare you. I’ve struggled the most with confidence in my process. In today’s age, particularly in Los Angeles where “busyness” is a badge of honor, we are pulled in so many different directions. There is an overload of information, content, advice, and a huge lack of structure. I thrive with structure, process, and fundamentals. Any world-class performer (from ball field to board room) has routines they go through daily and fundamentals they consistently work on.
At the beginning, when my days got hijacked by client fires or I wasn’t sure what to work on, I would spin my wheels. Lose confidence. Start looking at my bank account. Try to do the easy work (like adding copy to my website or re-formatting contracts) to make me feel busy. Because busy = productive. Right?! No. Busy does not = productive…and that took a while for me to learn. Now I’ve learned how to structure my days, added routines, and figured out what fundamentals make me good at my job. If I am my best self, then I can be my client’s best asset. And a “busy”, scattered, anxious me is not my best self.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I started my own business because I wanted ownership and control of my life. My time. My relationships. My failures. My successes. My bank account. And I want to help others achieve the same. So I built my studio around empowering entrepreneurs, creatives, and talent so they can achieve financial independence and squeeze everything out of their talent. I love people and feel lucky to have a business where I can put people and my relationships first.
Our goal is to give all our client’s peace of mind for their pursuit. As an attorney, I provide many hard skills to clients: contract drafting, negotiations, and government filings (LLC, Corporation, Trademarks, Copyrights, Seller’s Permits, etc.). But it’s the soft skills that set us apart. As a talent scout for two MLB teams, a bench coach for a semi-pro baseball team, a member of corporate boards, and a sports agent I understand what it takes to be successful at the highest level, how to cultivate talent, and how to put people in the best position to succeed. Representing talent (and make no mistake, a business owner is “talent”) is much more than getting the paperwork done. A calm bedside manner, objective feedback, and creative problem solving are what makes myself and the rest of the team at RM Legal Studio different.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If you love something and you’ve gotten whispers of positive feedback then don’t you dare give up. Failure will be a part of life whether you take a chance or not. Same with other’s expectations and external pressures. But if you build your own unique structures, fundamentals, and routines then you’ll own your process…and thus your passions.
Contact Info:
Email: Hello@RMLegalstudio.com
Website: https://www.rmlegalstudio.com/
Image Credits:
Brendan Pattengale