Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandy Arons.
Hi Sandy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started the business in 2007 after my divorce was completed. As I reflected upon the lengthy, stressful and very expensive process and thought, “The process was miserable and it could have been much better”. I saw the need for a divorce process that helped a family remain a family after a divorce rather than a process that destroyed a family and helped attorneys bill hours.
With a background in business/finance and having previously started businesses during my career, I decided to start a company that offered divorcing couples an alternative to the typical divorce process controlled by attorneys. Having experienced my own divorce, I realized divorce was mostly emotions and math (What is the house worth? What are my expenses? What are the tax implications of the settlement options?) and only 5% legal issues (drafting legal documents and filing them in court).
Most importantly, I realized those divorcing need someone to explain the financial impacts of settlement options including the pros and cons and tax impacts. Financial education empowers spouses to be more confident and this financial knowledge/confidence reduces the stress, time and cost of the divorce process.
Reducing the stress of divorce is essential because it is important for families to enjoy life celebrations (graduations, weddings, birthdays) together post-divorce.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting a business is always a challenge… I spent much time getting the proper credentials so I knew what I was doing in this industry. My website lists all my credential (even though my mom and I are probably the only people who have ever read this part of my website). I’ve read it takes about 10,000 hours to become competent in a new field and agree with this assessment. BTW, Dan and Shay, (hometown fellas) wrote a hit song about this (10,000 hours) so, it must be true!
Being a small business owner means you don’t leave at 5 PM… and you’ve got to be focusing on many things at once – getting clients, servicing clients, billing, marketing, working the business plan and constantly striving for continuous improvement in all areas of the business – Kaizen (a Japanese philosophy and practice of continuous improvement, meaning change for the better).
We’ve been impressed with Arons & Associates Divorce Mediation, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We approach the divorce process in a very different manner from attorneys and other mediators. That’s because we’ve been there and done that. We strive to reduce the stress, time and cost of divorce. Our website, www.getasmartdivorce.com speaks volumes with the name.
I am proud of our wonderful 5-star Google reviews and the comments clients leave with the reviews. This is an accomplishment in any industry but, when dealing with a potentially toxic topic as divorce, it’s really a huge accomplishment.
We help families not, men and women. Regardless if the family is two adults or two adults, three kids, a dog, two cats and a turtle. We help families remain families despite living in two houses post-divorce.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Podcasts, books and articles on staying physically and mentally strong/healthy and calm are essential when dealing with stressed clients. Keeping a good sense of humor can make even the hardest day brighter.
Pricing:
- Call our office for details.
- Far less than attorney fees.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.getasmartdivorce.com
