Company: AylinLAW - law boutique for founders and creatives

Founder: Aylin Ersoy-Ruhl

Date of foundation: April 1, 2025

Industry and company: Legal advice specializing in founders, start-ups & creative professionals

What drives you? What is your motto?

I am driven by the moment when ideas light up in the eyes of my clients - that spark of courage, hope and vision.

What is your start-up about and what is special about it?

AylinLAW is a law firm dedicated to the special legal issues associated with start-ups and the protection of creative services.

I support ideas, not just mandates. I focus on personal, modern advice - without elitist legal jargon, but with professional depth - for example on company formations, trademark protection, e-commerce, contracts or the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

What are your first successes?

The successful start with my first clients and positive feedback on the clarity of my contract drafting show me that there is a great demand for specialized, comprehensible and creative legal advice. I am particularly pleased with the response to my offer for start-up packages and the positive reactions from the start-up scene.

What is your professional background?

After gaining international experience at the Consulate General in Istanbul and in the trademark department at Merck, I was part of a renowned medium-sized law firm as a lawyer for a long time. My clients came from the media, publishing, wine and consumer goods industries. Today, this experience flows into my own law boutique.

What prompted you to set up your own company?

I no longer wanted rigid structures, but to use my legal skills to really make something possible - for people with ideas, for creative, bold projects. I want to live a way of working that corresponds to my values: human, approachable, flexible and creative.

Who advised you, who are your helpers and mentors?

I prepared myself extensively - with the support of the Berufswege für Frauen e.V. advice center - through intensive research and business planning, which I carried out myself. My private and professional network is also a strong support.

How did you experience the first few days as a founder?

A lot of set-up work, concentration, structure - and at the same time the joy of being able to shape things myself. It was challenging, but I finally had the feeling of being professionally free and being able to advise clients whose issues I am really passionate about.

What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?

The balance between building up the law firm and the many strategic decisions - such as client acquisition, target group definition or secure digital infrastructure. Fortunately, legal issues were not an obstacle for me. I consciously reduced my workload and set priorities. Honest feedback from my clients helps me to become even better.

How do you draw attention to your company? What is your best marketing idea?

I network in a targeted way - preferably at the Heimathafen start-up center in the midst of founders and start-ups - and cultivate my contacts in the creative industry. Communication and presence are very important here. I rely on social media contributions and cooperate with colleagues who specialize in complementary fields.

How did you finance your start-up?

I financed the start-up entirely myself. I deliberately kept the initial investment low - by working from home, working digitally, using lean equipment and doing without status symbols.

What dream would you still like to realize?

I dream of building a law firm for the next generation, where a family-friendly law firm culture with a connection to art and social commitment is at home.

Please complete the following sentence: If I had more time, I would ...

... spend more time on my western horse, make my art label AylinART a success, dance Zumba more often, study psychology and much more.

What is your special tip: What would you recommend to founders?

Don't see the law as a hurdle, but as a safe space. If you take out legal protection early on, you avoid costly mistakes. And: surround yourself with people who believe in your idea and motivate you.