Maximum Lawyer Podcast Episode Summary

Episode: Trademarks + Poker = Marketing Gold, How Being Yourself Prints Trust
Host: Tyson Mutrux
Guest: Andrea Sager
Date: February 10, 2026

Episode Overview

In this candid conversation, Tyson Mutrux chats with Andrea Sager—entrepreneur, poker player, and trademark attorney—about risk-taking, the emotional journey of law firm ownership, authentic marketing, and the parallels between poker strategy and growing a modern law practice. Andrea opens up about her unconventional path into law, the challenges of divorce, the power of self-trust, and why showing up authentically (including embracing her poker persona) has been key to her business and personal success.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. From Big Law to Entrepreneurship: Roots & Risks

• Andrea’s Motivation for Law (01:38):
  Andrea became a lawyer “to make a lot of money,” drawing from a modest upbringing. She quickly realized the big firm world was not for her, especially after seeing unmet needs among small businesses.
  • "Day one, I realized it was not for me...I manifested getting fired from big law." (B, 01:38)
• Starting Her Own Firm (04:28):
  Let go from her big law job, Andrea seized the opportunity, launching her firm immediately and landing her first client that very night.

2. Navigating Entrepreneurship & Family Upheaval

• Spousal Dynamics (07:32):
  Andrea shares how her then-husband’s need for financial stability clashed with her appetite for risk, contributing to their eventual divorce.
  • "I'm some... He's a very comfortable person... I’m like, let’s take this risk... We would have never worked in that way." (B, 07:32)
• Impact of Divorce on Business (10:23):
  Divorce created emotional turbulence that, surprisingly, led to a dip in firm revenue—not for material reasons, but due to lost stability and the challenge of self-regulation as a sole provider.
  • "Entrepreneurship is nothing more than a personal development journey...I was in a much different place. I was not able to hold the capacity that I was once able to hold." (B, 10:23)

3. Risk Tolerance, Poker, and Self-Trust

• Childhood, Poker, and Risk (08:46, 14:30):
  Growing up in a poker-playing family taught Andrea about managing risk. She sees strong parallels between her identity as a poker player and business owner.
  • "I just trust myself more than anything. And I know, like, hey, I've got my back. I'm going to figure it out." (B, 08:46)
  • "Who I am is enough as a business owner, as a poker player, as a mother..." (B, 14:30)

4. Incremental Change and Self-Regulation

• Small Shifts, Big Impact (16:26):
  Both Tyson and Andrea reflect on how modest changes—like cutting out alcohol—result in significant life and business transformations.
  • "I lost 30 pounds... literally just cutting out alcohol." (B, 16:26)
• Self-Regulation for Business Stability (12:22):
  Andrea discusses how her nervous system initially didn’t feel "safe" having money, often self-sabotaging when things were calm. Learning to just "be" rather than create chaos brought new balance.

5. Emotional Intelligence, Branding & Client Service

• Supporting Clients Through Emotional Business Decisions (20:26):
  Andrea notes small business owners’ intense personal attachment to their "baby," highlighting how her own emotional intelligence allows her to give better advice.
  • "Working on myself has allowed me to counsel my clients in a more beautiful way... Especially when it comes to these issues..." (B, 20:26)
• Legal Advice vs. Practical Advice (23:57):
  The "legally right" answer isn't always best. Andrea emphasizes strategic, emotion-informed client counseling, often prioritizing long-term reputation over short-term victories.
  • "Legally, here's the answer. But let's, like, talk about this realistically…” (B, 24:41)

6. Authenticity and Marketing Gold

• Being Yourself as a Marketing Strategy (32:20):
  Andrea explains why publicly combining “trademarks and poker” in her brand was a turning point, allowing her to attract the right clients and repel the wrong ones.
  • "We are going to attract the people that are meant for us and repel the ones that aren't... the more authentic you are, the more magnetic you are for the right people." (B, 34:29)

7. Scaling a Remote Law Firm & Boundaries

• Remote Culture, Trust & Boundaries (41:54):
  Andrea has run her team fully remote from the start, offering flexibility in hours and unlimited time off, with a focus on trust and results.
  • "If you're getting your work done, if everything's done on time, like, I don't, I don't care what you do..." (B, 42:25)
• Personal Boundaries (44:19):
  She carves out family time, avoids overwork, and has built habits (e.g., blocking off lunch, guarding pickup time) to ensure lasting work-life alignment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Entrepreneurship:
  • "Entrepreneurship is nothing more than a personal development journey." (B, 10:23)
• On Building a Brand:
  • "If you’re not being yourself, you’re going to attract the wrong people... the more authentic you are, the more magnetic you are." (B, 34:29)
• On Self-Trust:
  • "I just trust myself more than anything. And I know, like, hey, I’ve got my back. I’m going to figure it out." (B, 08:46)
• On Parenting & Authenticity:
  • "I use it as a teaching moment because I teach my kids how to be upset... that's our teaching moment to teach them how to be upset." (B, 38:21)
• On Prioritizing Client Development:
  • "I don’t care how great of a lawyer I am if I don’t have clients... It actually doesn’t matter if you don’t have clients." (B, 26:16)

Timed Highlights

• [01:38] Why Andrea went into law and trademarks
• [04:28] Fired from big law ⇒ launching her firm that day
• [07:32] Spousal reaction and risk tolerance
• [10:23] Emotional/energetic impact on business post-divorce
• [14:30] Poker strategy and business identity converge
• [16:26] Incremental changes: alcohol & lifestyle
• [20:26] Emotional intelligence with clients
• [24:41] Practical vs. legal answers in client counseling
• [32:20] Embracing “trademarks + poker” in personal branding
• [41:54] Running a remote-first, trust-driven law firm
• [44:19] Setting boundaries and evolving with motherhood

The Takeaway

This episode is a deep dive into the mindset shifts needed to build a meaningful, resilient law practice. Andrea’s journey illustrates how personal healing and self-awareness create not only a strong business but a more authentic brand that naturally attracts ideal clients. By embracing risk, emotional intelligence, and real authenticity—even when it means talking about poker at the table—lawyers can build practices (and lives) that truly work for them.

Connect with Andrea Sager:

• Instagram: @andreasagerlaw
• Email: andrea@andreasager.com

Host: Tyson Mutrux | Podcast: Maximum Lawyer
For more episodes: maximumlawyer.com