Today we’d like to introduce you to Valarie Dean.
Valarie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
After moving to California many decades ago, I landed a “temp” legal secretary job working for a solo practitioner, who later became a great mentor (and is currently a TechnoTaries client!). I worked for R.T. about 5 years, until he kicked me out (smile) – – not for negative reasons, but because he wanted me to spread my wings and grow. I then continued my career in the legal arena by working for some of the most prestigious firms in Los Angeles as a legal secretary, paralegal and office manager (sometimes all at once!).
A couple decades into my career, something extraordinary happened: I became a mom!
THE most proud moment of my life! I was always that employee who volunteered to work overtime, and on weekends, but after I had my daughter, I knew I had to always strive and continue to do better tomorrow than I did yesterday! The guidance and work ethics I learned while working for incredible attorneys is what motivated me to start my own company, and I continue using those same ethics and principles with TechnoTaries.
After starting TechnoTaries, in an effort to go “all in”, I became an active member of a couple Chambers of Commerce, which got me recognized and nominated by Councilmember Paul Koretz to be on the Los Angeles Fire Department Valley Public Safety Advisory Committee. I also became actively involved with several non-profit organizations, such as The People Concern (fka OPCC) and the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission.
Simultaneously, I became an active member of several legal Bar Associations, including serving on the Membership and Marketing Committee and as Co-Chair of the Inclusion & Diversity Committee for the San Fernando Valley Bar Association; I was the 2018 Gala Chair for the John M. Langston Bar Association and currently serve on the Langston Board and the 2019 Gala Committee, and I am Co-Chair of the Multicultural Bar Alliance, a coalition that encompasses more than 18 diverse Bar Associations throughout the Los Angeles area, to name a few.
I cannot emphasize enough what an honor it is to serve as a member and representative of such outstanding legal organizations and work alongside some of the most incredible attorneys in California! With all the philanthropy work I do, you may be thinking, “she must be single!” Think again! I have THE most incredible partner in Alan, and 10+ years later, we are still going strong and I am more in love with him every day! (Ok – enough of that mushy stuff LOL).
During the 4+ years, TechnoTaries has been in existence, we have received several accolades, and I could not be more proud! As you can imagine, a new business requires sometimes working all night, on weekends and one gets very little sleep hours. Why do it? Because I love every minute of it. You could say, I am blessed to “I love what I do, and do what I love! I would not trade it for the world!
Great, 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?
As a minority, female business owner, starting a new business as a legal service provider in SoCal has had its challenges. That being said, because of the incredible professional relationships I have formed over the 30+ years working in the legal industry.
I have been truly blessed in that I did not have to completely start from “scratch”, and had so many attorneys and mentors to turn to for guidance and who continue to show their love and support to me and to TechnoTaries. Is it still challenging? Absolutely! What new business isn’t?
TechnoTaries, Inc. – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
TechnoTaries provides virtual executive legal secretary and paralegal services solely to attorneys in Los Angeles and neighboring counties only. TechnoTaries is not a staffing agency, so we do not work in-office, but rather all work is done virtually. Because we are local, it enables us to pick up and drop off documents in-person to our attorney-clients whenever needed.
We offer 24/7 services and work with attorneys who specialize in various areas of law, including, but not limited to, Litigation, Family Law, Corporate, Real Estate, Personal Injury, Criminal Law, and more! We handle everything from drafting motions, from soup to nuts, to propounding and responding to discovery, preparing draft complaints, correspondence and much more.
What sets TechnoTaries apart from others is our location, the fact that we do not farm out any work, and our work is guaranteed! In addition, I think my active involvement with multiple local Bar Associations and other non-profit organizations, gives us the upper edge because attorneys know who I am, see me supporting their firms and associations by attending their events, and sponsoring, putting a face to the company!
In just a few short years, TechnoTaries is the 3-time recipient (2015, 2016 and 2017) of the Best Legal Services in Los Angeles, awarded by the LA Daily News Readers Choice Awards – – a huge honor as these are votes from our colleagues, clients and friends. I could not be more proud! I have also received recognition awards from the San Fernando Valley Bar Association and Westside Bar Association, and I am the first non-attorney to serve as Co-Chair of the Multicultural Bar Alliance, which consists of more than 17 diverse bar associations in the Los Angeles area. I am so very humbled by the accolades!
If you had asked me 5 years ago where did I see myself 5 years in the future, I could not have imagined being where I am today. Sometimes I just want to run outside and do a serious “happy dance” in the streets because that’s how grateful and blessed this little girl from Texas is!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
One of the proudest moments in my career is when, after decades of working for others, I found the courage to go out on my own and start a new company of value. My second most proud moment: When my daughter agreed to work for me, albeit temporarily! (smile)
Contact Info:
- Address: 18375 Ventura Blvd., Suite 375 Tarzana, CA 91356
- Website: www.TechnoTaries.com
- Phone: 310-736-1237
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/technotariesval/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TechnoTaries/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechnoTaries
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/technotaries-inc-/
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