Starting a business puts you at a crossroads. The destination beckons, but questions crowd the path ahead. Many stay in their comfort zones, held back by the thought of leaving steady paychecks and familiar routines.

For Duane Coker, that moment arrived when he moved back to Texas. Despite having no business network and only savings to rely on, he saw potential where others might see roadblocks. What started with a 14-year-old stocking grocery store shelves alongside his father has grown into Coker, Robb & Cannon, a thriving family law practice.

As a college newspaper editor, Coker planned for a career in news media. During these years, he balanced editorial duties with other jobs to support himself. His wife considered law school, but life took an unexpected turn – she chose writing while he accepted a law school scholarship offer.

“The legal profession offered greater financial stability, particularly in the mid-90s when journalism salaries were around $20,000 annually,” Coker explains.

The choice to pursue law opened a path to help others solve problems while managing education costs. Before opening his practice, Coker worked at a Milwaukee law firm, gaining valuable experience that would shape his future business.

As a Dallas native, returning to Texas was always part of his plan. “We wanted to experience different places before settling down, but being closer to friends and family was our long-term plan,” he says.

Building the Foundation

In 1998, he established his practice in Denton, Texas. The Dallas suburb’s growth matched his firm’s development, creating opportunities to serve expanding communities. The legal community maintained a small-town, friendly atmosphere despite the area’s rapid growth.

“One of my biggest initial fears was starting a business alone in a new community where I knew no one,” Coker shares. “Having no one to lean on meant I had to learn quickly and proactively build new relationships.”

His first clients appeared in unexpected ways. “My very first client was the woman from the phone company who was setting up my office’s phone lines; she happened to have a family law issue and needed assistance,” he recalls. His second client came through a friend’s referral, and his third recognized him at Lowe’s during office renovation trips. “Sharing what I did and being open to opportunities, even in casual conversations, proved to be a surprisingly effective marketing strategy,” he notes.

The first year brought financial challenges. While Coker anticipated expense types, actual costs exceeded his budget. He and his wife lived off savings that first year as the business grew.

“For that first year, there wasn’t much of a balance – it was all about reinvesting in the business,” Coker explains.

They cut back on expenses – no travel, limited dining out – until the business could support them. By year two, Coker drew a salary, and by year three, the practice provided a comfortable income.

Setting prices in 1998 required networking. Without today’s online resources, Coker spoke with other lawyers to learn standard rates. “Since the internet wasn’t the resource it is today, I had to connect with other lawyers in the area and have conversations about their rates,” he shares. This information helped him set competitive fees that evolved with the market.

Growth and Evolution

“When I first started my law firm, I practiced all areas of law,” Coker explains. “I quickly realized that I preferred to become an expert in one area rather than knowing a little bit about everything.”

Family law emerged as his focus through direct experience with clients’ needs. The specialization developed naturally as he saw increasing demand for these services.

“I found that I enjoyed helping families get through the divorce process with as little damage as possible,” he says. “I enjoy building relationships with my clients, and this aspect of family law resonated strongly with me.”

From day one, Coker prioritized work-life balance. “I was intentional about having a life outside of work from the very beginning,” he states. “I accepted that my business would not grow as quickly as someone who invested 60-80 hours a week, but I strongly believe that ‘someday’ is now. Years can fly by if you don’t pay attention, and then you miss out on life.”

This philosophy extends throughout his firm. He encourages all employees to maintain healthy boundaries between work and personal life. “I want to emphasize that while I’m incredibly proud of my business and how we help people, it’s equally important to me that my ‘secret’ to success becomes a norm,” he explains.

In their second or third year, Coker hired a legal secretary to handle phones, schedules, and administration. “This role was crucial for handling administrative tasks like answering phones, managing my schedule, and general organization,” he explains. “Freeing up my time to focus on client work was the primary driver behind this decision.”

Next came a paralegal, increasing their capacity for billable hours and supporting growth. “This was a strategic move to increase the firm’s capacity for billable hours and drive revenue growth,” Coker notes. “The addition of a paralegal significantly contributed to the firm’s expansion.”

The firm set itself apart through personal client relationships and early technology adoption. When email was new, they used it to improve client communication. “For about a decade, we were one of the few firms really using email regularly, and it made a huge difference in how effectively we could connect with and assist our clients,” he notes. “It’s funny to think about now since email communication is expected these days.”

Today, the firm offers its “Simple Texas Divorce” program, helping about 30 clients monthly. While not a major profit center, this program makes legal services more accessible to their community.

They’ve also expanded to include estate planning services. “We recognized a growing need among our existing family law clients for probate services,” Coker explains. “Rather than referring them elsewhere, we wanted to offer a comprehensive solution within our practice. We brought on an attorney with specialized expertise in probate to ensure our clients receive the same high-quality representation.”

Looking Forward

For new business owners, Coker suggests starting retirement planning early. “If I were starting my business today, I would prioritize retirement planning and saving much earlier,” he advises, noting his regret at not beginning a decade sooner. He emphasizes how easy it is to overlook retirement planning when running a business, as there’s no employer prompting contributions.

Today, with offices in Denton, Frisco, and Fort Worth, the firm supports the Denton County Lawyers Foundation’s mediation program. This work helps parents navigate child custody issues and find solutions.

Coker’s story shows how building a successful business stems from identifying your strengths, meeting community needs, and maintaining personal values. Success grows from creating something sustainable that serves both your community and life goals.

To learn more about Coker, Robb & Cannon’s services, visit cokerlegal.com