How Kirk Stange Made His Firm Grow From a Small Business to a Multi-State Enterprise

Nothing in family case law was too difficult for Kirk Stange. He is the President of the Stange Law Firm, PC. Kirk can guide you through any family law problem thanks to his extensive experience and industry knowledge. Kirk spends time educating lawyers and other legal professionals at CLE Seminars sponsored by the Missouri Bar, myLawCLE, the National Business Institute, and other organizations in addition to practicing law. Kirk even gave a presentation on social media evidence for attorneys and judges at the Eighth Circuit Judicial Conference in Omaha, Nebraska in 2014. Today, we had the chance to speak with him and find out more about the circumstances around his triumph.

What’s it like growing up for you? What lessons did you learn from your childhood?

Growing up in Fenton, Missouri, I learned the value of hard work and perseverance.  I did not grow up with a lot just given to me.  My father was a high school teacher and my mother was a stay-at-home mom.  But I did learn that I could succeed in life if I worked hard. 

What was your first real job and what did it teach you?

I worked at Six Flags St. Louis and became a seasonal rides supervisor where I managed 1/3 of the park during my shifts for four years while in college. The management experience I gained during that time was helpful for me. It was the only real management experience I had before starting Stange Law Firm, PC.

What was the problem you set out to solve when you started your company/venture?

The most important issue was bringing new clients into the firm. Having new clients was essential to having a law firm that would survive and prosper. Early on, that wasn’t a given at all. But our firm quickly grew and is now in five states.

What was your biggest challenge when starting your business?

In any type of business, you want to make sure you have satisfied clients. Thus, having a law firm that does an excellent job for our clients was the biggest challenge once we figured out how to market and attract new business.

What has been your biggest success or failure in recent memory? How did that make you feel?

Our firm started as a little law firm in Clayton in 2007. 15 years later, we are in five states and have more than 20 offices. Having a law firm that has grown so quickly has been quite an accomplishment. We are the second-biggest family law firm in the United States. In terms of failures, the management of running a law firm our size is a significant challenge. Our firm started as a little law firm in Clayton in 2007. 15 years later, we are in five states and have more than 20 offices. Having a law firm that has grown so quickly has been quite an accomplishment. In terms of failures, the management of running a law firm our size is a significant challenge.

What’re you most excited about for your company in the next few years?

Our firm is going to continue to grow and go into new states and cities. I am looking forward to the growth.

In what ways do you give back to the community? Why is it important for you?

If you look at my biography, you will see I have served on many charitable boards. We even have a page on our webpage about our community service: https://www.stangelawfirm.com/charitable-giving-and-community-involvement/

The Missouri Bar also recognized me in 2017 my service to the legal community in donating time to speak at legal seminars:
https://www.stangelawfirm.com/The-Missouri-Bar-Recognizes-Kirk-Stange-in-the-Best-of-the-CLE-Spotlight.pdf

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Honestly, I came from lower-middle-class origins in Fenton, Missouri to have the second biggest family law firm through lots of hard work and dedication. There isn’t a lot that I’d do over again, although I do think it is important to carefully think through every decision. At times, I can tend to make decisions from my heart versus my head.

Is anyone you want to thank through your journey as an entrepreneur?

There are lots of people who have helped me through this journey. But much of what I learned was through doing my own research and reading. I have spent thousands of hours learning about marketing and search engine optimization. I also learned to run online PPC through Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and Twitter all by myself. Much of what I learned was through self-research and dedication. But two individuals at FindLaw helped me a lot from a marketing perspective: Bill Potthoff and Craig Smith. I owe a lot to them in terms of getting the online marketing working. They were my account representatives at FindLaw at various times.

Is there anything you would like to share with our readers that we didn’t ask?

If you are going to operate a successful business, there is a lot you must do. It’s important to have a good marketing plan that works. At our law firm, most of it was done online through vast efforts in creating great online content. But it’s also equally important to have a management system in play to ensure that your business is being properly managed. Finally, client satisfaction is also key. If your clients aren’t happy, you can manage and market well, but the business will not thrive. So, always put the clients/customers first.

What’s the best way for others to learn more about you and your company?

Go to www.stangelawfirm.com