Meet Chantelle: Legal Advocacy Services
Reading Chantelle’s interview was like reading my morning devotional- it’s no doubt that her strength as a woman is impacting many. Chantelle has channeled her inner strength and resilience into her company: Legal Advocacy Services (LAS) where she empowers women and families on a daily basis to ensure systemic injustices can’t hold them back. There are so many quotes I could pull from this interview to ground each of us in the foundation that makes us uniquely women and the power within us in that we far too often leave on the sidelines- Chantelle speaks into finding a balance that propels that inner strength within each of us to thrive and take flight. Read on to discover how Chantelle personally discovered her inner strength, and the ways she has continuously engaged with self-awareness in order to not just move forward, but to THRIVE forward.
Tell us about who you are and your journey to where you are now!
My name is Chantelle A. Campbell: I am the founder of Legal Advocacy Services (LAS) and a new Adjunct Legal Professor within Ontario, Canada. My gregarious nature, coupled with being a faith-centric woman who exudes perseverance, determination, and creativity, lends itself to my position as a motivational speaker and social justice advocate in both the justice and education systems. While my educational background has helped position me to pursue fairness and fight for change through education and litigation, my journey has not been paved with gold. Notably, the aforementioned attributes that shape my character were truly activated by the 2008 economic crisis in Canada. It was through this tumultuous season that life squeezed me: my family experienced varying forms of loss coupled with legal and financial troubles. As a result, I believe that in life we must view challenges as stepping stones towards self-development and success. Moreover, its impact gave me a deeply personal experience with the issues that I would service the community to remedy with intentionality later in my practice. The launch of LAS as a problem-solving based business was a product of gleaning from the matters, perspectives, and experiences around me. Through learning from my lived realities while tapping into creativity, hard work and faith, I am happy to serve the public through my giftings and be compensated for doing what I naturally enjoy: helping people.
As a licensed Paralegal - i.e. a profession in Ontario, Canada that permits me to practice law within the province permitted under the Law Society Ontario practice scope - I represent clients ranging from private individuals, businesses, organizations, NGOs, government agencies, and more. My dynamic skillset makes every day at work not only diverse but refreshing and interesting.
What is the mission of your brand? How does it empower women?
At its foundation, my personal and professional brand is rooted in hope, encouragement, and executing pragmatic solutions to life’s problems. My business niche is fixed in empowerment via legal education and representation. My mission is manifested through the investments I have made in the lives of women: this includes collaborating with starter female-based businesses; writing letters of recommendations and nominations for women hoping to further their education and business; providing pro bono consults; strategizing with women on transitioning through difficult life circumstances; mentoring young female paralegal students; and serving and honoring our senior women preparing for their golden years. The women I serve hold a special place in my heart. It has been important for me to honor women authentically as many have been those who first invested in me. Specifically, my grandmother, the late Edna A. Campbell who taught me my Jamaican roots, imparted to me the value of family and serving others with honesty and integrity. And my mother, Donna A. Campbell, is a trailblazer in her own right: she taught me to fight in life, to remain determined no matter the circumstance, and be resourceful while dressed with grace and style. Coming from a line of empowering women, I too feel it my duty to empower the women who have been placed with purpose in my life.
How do you collaborate with women working towards a better world?
Investing in the lives of women through the use of my personal and professional skill sets is the collaborative strategy I utilize to work synergistically towards building a better world. I was blessed with the opportunity to pursue and complete meaningful education. That education, led by wise choices in decision making, continues to allow me to provide a necessary service to the community. As a woman, I feel that education is a vital tool necessary for 21-century success; therefore, LAS created the LAS scholarship in partnership with PUREAIDE, a Registered Non-Profit charitable organization. PUREAIDE has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships from 2011 and was birthed by female founder Marie Allen in order to give back to youth in Canada, Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe.
Through authentic collaboration, LAS will enable and empower young people and work diligently to reduce the cycles of poverty and crime borne out of limited educational opportunities afforded to young people.
The current goal for LAS in regards to community activism is to award two young women with a starter scholarship in efforts to contribute to their educational journeys. To help in this endeavor please visit: https://www.legaladvocacyservices.ca/community and click on LAS Tab.
We thank all who can help and for all those who “like”, “share”, and wish us much success.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to press through as a female entrepreneur and what are the steps you’ve taken to overcome it?
Undoubtedly, the biggest challenge I am working through on my entrepreneurship journey is managing my time effectively and filling my space with what is most important. My go-to solution to navigate this comes from the work of John C. Maxwell. His concept known as The Eisenhower Matrix has inspired me to take strategic steps to prioritize what is urgent and imperative.
As my business continued to grow, I found that life also demanded more from me; it was at this juncture that I had to learn how to regroup and reorganize the essential things in life. Before developing this awareness, I was indeed worn out and stretched thin, needlessly overcommitting to various demands placed before me. I realized, with sharp awareness, that I needed another way to stand in my personhood. Importantly, one of the things that takes time to learn is that as you progress professionally and personally your priorities and commitments must change also: what may have worked for you in the past may not be applicable to the life that you are currently building.
The advice that I can give to others who face these kinds of quandaries is to pause, be silent for a moment, and take proper inventory of your goals, outcomes, and shortfalls. Ask for honest and trusted help when needed, do not be afraid to change your approach and be comfortable with saying “no”. Finally, give yourself the grace to fail forward. The balance of yourself will come through the process of changing, not always perfect but perfected through your process. When we embrace ourselves, your challenges will turn you into a champion.
What advice would you give to a female entrepreneur in the beginning stages of launching her brand or business?
Although we currently find ourselves in a women’s empowerment decade powered by strong female voices and changemakers, I find that many are still dealing with silent insecurities. Many of us have become masters at staging, creating, and even making it appear as if we have it all together; yet, internally we still struggle in some area of our lives.
I say this to caution women before we launch out into the deep pools of business, e-commerce, the boardroom, or even the courtroom -all places that we have the right to occupy. Let us first take the time to reflect on who we are and what we have to give to our communities. This irrefutable maxim holds true: we are enough if we see ourselves in the same light.
On a practical level, there are many resources, programs, and even funding opportunities that we can benefit from when launching a business. But let us never forget that we are our own best and most precious resources. Let us find confidence, peace, and strength in us first, prior to venturing ahead, knowing that this foundation will serve us well in the marketplace. We must allow this to lead us before we make our business plans, incorporate our businesses, and set up websites to attract customers. Let us do some personal reflection and identify our innate strengths so that we have what we need to give to our community. Always be mindful of how to position ourselves authentically and develop longevity in our message, products, and inventions.
What sets your brand apart from others?
Although many legal providers exist in the marketplace, I see myself as unique. I believe that I offer a different flavor, perspective, and fingerprint that is distinctly mine that will invariably empower my clients. I do not feel the need to compete: I embody a growth mindset that actuates opportunities for the right client to be drawn to my practice.
As I develop LAS and my exposure widens, so will the scope of the practice. Thus far, I think adaptability, grass roots community engagement, and social justice have been the standout pillars in my brand, and I look forward to furthering business development.
For more information about Legal Advocacy Services, feel free to visit us at www.legaladvocacyservices.ca/