It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Momentum can be a powerful thing. When we’re in motion–chasing goals, meeting deadlines, keeping up with the rhythm of life–it’s easy to mistake movement for mastery. But sometimes, that very momentum starts running the show. The schedule fills itself, the goals blur, and suddenly we’re reacting more than creating.

The truth is, momentum isn’t inherently good or bad. It’s neutral energy, a force that can carry you forward or drag you along. But it’s up to you to keep steering. 

The key is to align your motion with your why. When your actions reflect your purpose, the momentum fuels you. When they don’t, it quietly drains you, no matter how productive it all looks.

That alignment often means saying no. No to distractions, to appearances of progress, to things that don’t fit your mission right now. Protecting your energy isn’t a lack of drive, it’s a declaration of direction. Every no that honors your why is a yes to more meaningful momentum.

Coming back from D.C. reminded me of that balance. Between post-hearing meetings and cheering my dad on as he ran the Marine Corps Marathon, I found myself reflecting on what keeps me moving and why. 

Watching him cross that finish line was a powerful reminder of endurance, purpose, and quiet determination. It made me deeply thankful for both of my parents, for the example they’ve set, the sacrifices they’ve made, and the kind of grounded strength that keeps me centered when life speeds up.

Momentum matters. But the people who remind you why you’re moving, they matter more.

What’s Been Feeding My Mind Lately

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much of our direction and mindset is shaped not just by what we do, but by what we consume. The conversations we listen to, the articles we read, the stories that grab our attention, all of it becomes quiet fuel for how we think, lead, and create.

So, I’m rolling out a new segment called The Info Diet. It’s a space to share the podcasts, articles, and ideas that have been feeding my perspective lately. My hope is that this becomes a place to trade inspiration, a snapshot of what’s been sparking curiosity, reflection, or growth for me each week.

1. Should You Stay or Should You Go? – Seeing Other People
   Why I’m into it: There’s a lot of talk about dating after Vogue UK shared the “is having a boyfriend embarrassing?” article and although I’m single, I’m dating so this conversation on knowing yourself and not settling felt like a warm hug

2. Tower 28’s Amy Liu: From Stay-At-Home Mom to Best-Selling Sephora Powerhouse at 40
   Why I’m into it: Female founder stories always inspire me and Tower28 is one of my fave brands right now so hearing how it came to be and the sacrifices Amy made much like the ones I am grappling with was refreshing and invigorating

3. Aspire with Jessica Alba: Why It’s Time to Break Up with Perfection
   Why I’m into it: As a little girl, Jessica Alba was one of the only Latinas in Hollywood to look up to so hearing her candidness on perfection, building a business and knowing when it’s time to pivot was a beautiful reminder that staying true to yourself is the best path forward

4. The Real Cost of Being a Public-Facing Person
   Why I’m into it: Taylor Frankel is my age and has been running NudeStix for over a decade, I’ve admired her personal brand over the years and how it feels so “seamless,” in her new Substack she went behind the curtain to show the reality of building in public and while I’m nowhere near her level it was a needed reminder 

5. Victoria Beckham: Posh, WAG, Mother, Mogul – Call Her Daddy
   Why I’m into it: Who doesn’t love Posh Spice! But I love Victoria Beckham more because she has shown what it means to reinvent yourself, the pressure and lessons learned and how you can have it all but it might take a little longer and you’re gonna have to work hard at it. This podcast and her Netflix documentary are a must watch 

All of these have been feeding the same theme I’ve been sitting with lately, finding the right pace between drive and balance. Working on weekends isn’t something I ever want to normalize, but when there’s a lot going on, a few focused hours on a Saturday or Sunday can completely set the tone for the week ahead. It’s less about overworking and more about creating space to get clear and reset.

Now that I’m not traveling for the rest of the year, I’m finally getting back into my wellness routine. Yoga and Pilates two to three times a week, and long walks whenever I can. 

Re-centering physically has a way of sharpening my focus mentally. Just like curating an intentional info diet, being deliberate about movement and rest keeps me aligned with what actually matters, not just what’s moving fast.

On the Work Front

I’ve been doing quite a bit of trademark work lately, and it’s reminded me how essential it is for founders and business owners to protect what they’ve built. Your brand is one of your most valuable assets and having the right legal foundation behind it can make all the difference as you grow.

So many entrepreneurs wait to invest in protection until they feel they need to - they’ve made money or they’re growing now - but waiting to go to a trademark lawyer can cost you a lot more than just an investment into your trademarks. Don’t wait and be forced to rebrand, especially if you know you have a copycat or a confusing competitor out there. 

If you’ve been thinking about filing a trademark or want to understand what’s worth protecting, now’s a great time to start. 

And speaking of investing in your business, I want to reintroduce you to my Kayla Moran Law membership: Lawyer in Your Pocket. Through this program, you get ongoing access to legal guidance, custom business strategy, and the kind of everyday support that helps you move confidently without the overwhelm of hourly billing.

And fun fact, both Kayla Moran Law and Lawyer in Your Pocket are about to be registered trademarks! I’ve passed the opposition stage and am just now waiting for my registration in the mail. 

For businesses that need more hands-on support, I also offer retainer-based services, which give you a dedicated legal partner who truly knows your business and someone who can step in quickly as deals, contracts, or new opportunities come up.

If you’re ready to take that next step in protecting and scaling your business, you can learn more about the Lawyer in Your Pocket membership and retainer options at KaylaMoranLaw.com!

Big Update in the Legal Community: AI and Legal Advice

There’s been a lot of conversation recently about ChatGPT and its role in providing legal, medical, and financial advice. Reports circulated in late October that OpenAI updated its policy to prohibit ChatGPT from giving advice in these areas. 

While that headline caught attention, OpenAI has since clarified that there hasn’t been a change in policy, ChatGPT was never meant to replace licensed professionals. It can still explain legal concepts, summarize laws, or help with general education, but it’s not a substitute for a lawyer, doctor, or financial advisor.

For those of us in the legal community, this clarification is actually a positive development. It reinforces the boundaries that should have been clear all along: AI can be a powerful tool for research, brainstorming, and efficiency, but it’s not a source of legal judgment or strategy. This gives us, as attorneys, a clearer way to communicate our value to clients.

We can use tools like ChatGPT to make our work faster and more informed, but ultimately, the interpretation, analysis, and decision-making must come from a licensed professional. And a human at that. 

It’s also a good reminder about risk management and ethics. If we’re using AI in our workflows, we need to be transparent about how and where that use stops. Clients may think AI can handle tasks like drafting or contract review on its own, but it’s up to us to explain that these tools support our process; they don’t replace it. 

It becomes important when pricing ourselves too, because clients seem to not want to pay for a lawyer’s support due to the rise of AI in everyday life but if we’re using it too, how does this impact our pricing?

This moment is an opportunity to educate clients, update disclaimers or engagement letters if needed, and reinforce why human expertise and context still matter.

As AI continues to evolve, this conversation will only get more important. For now, though, it’s a great chance to lean into both, to use technology responsibly while continuing to show the real value of human judgment and partnership in legal practice.

Quote of the Month

Lessons from the Field

The most difficult, but also most important, lesson I’ve learned in business over the last three years is how to be an effective lawyer for my clients. It’s one thing to know the law; it’s another to know how to use it in a way that truly serves people and moves their business forward.

My role isn’t just about drafting or advising, it’s about being a strategic partner. That means supporting clients as they grow, guiding them through industry shifts, and helping them navigate risk without slowing down their deal flow. The balance is tricky: my job is to lay out the facts and the risks, but ultimately let them make the decision.

Doing that without becoming “Dr. No” (the person who kills every deal) is a skill that takes time and awareness. The best way I’ve found to strike that balance is to deeply understand the industry itself. When you know the business model, the market pressures, and the goals that drive your clients, you can advise with both precision and perspective.

So, if you’re trying to break into an emerging space: learn the clients, study the business, and understand the ecosystem around it. Legal strategy without business context is just theory. 

Some days I’ve wished I had started out in a big firm to learn all that in a more structured and supported way, but learning it the hard way, hands-on and in real time, has been invaluable too, and a lot more on brand.

Mentors vs. Sponsors: Why You Need Both

One of the most overlooked lessons I’ve learned in my career is the difference between having a mentor and having a sponsor, and why both are essential. Most people talk about mentorship, but not enough about sponsorship, even though they serve two very different (and equally powerful) purposes.

A mentor is the person you go to for guidance, someone who offers advice, feedback, and support as you grow in your life and career. They help you think through decisions, share lessons from their own experiences, and give you perspective when things get complicated.

A sponsor, on the other hand, is someone who actively advocates for you when you’re not in the room. They use their reputation, influence, and access to open doors, recommend you for opportunities, and elevate your visibility. Sponsorship is about action and amplification, someone choosing to invest their capital (social, professional, or otherwise) in your growth.

The truth is, you need both. Mentors help you develop, sponsors help you advance. Mentorship happens in conversation; sponsorship happens in rooms you may not even know exist yet. Building both kinds of relationships, and learning to be both for others, is one of the most valuable forms of professional momentum there is.

Outro

As I wrap up this newsletter, I’ve been feeling especially reflective with my 28th birthday coming up. 

The last year has been full of lessons–in business, balance, and momentum–and I’m genuinely grateful for all of it. Every client, every challenge, every late night and small win has shaped me into a more grounded, intentional version of myself.

Birthdays always make me pause and take inventory, not just of where I am, but of how far I’ve come. It’s the start of my new year and a good time for me to reset for the one to come, especially with the holidays quickly approaching. 

This birthday feels like a reminder to keep leading with curiosity, gratitude, and purpose. To keep saying yes to what aligns and no to what distracts. And to keep building something that feels like mine, both in life and in business.

Keep Up With Kayla and Kayla Moran Law 

Let’s make November a month of purpose, passion, and productivity.

Thanks for reading!

Talk soon,

Kayla