Episode 81: Your Money Should Serve Your Values, Not the Other Way Around with Constance Wannamaker
“Profit is not a dirty word. It’s okay to want your business to make money.”
-Constance Wannamaker
Welcome to a brand new episode of the Cash Flow CFO Podcast. Join me on this episode as I have an insightful conversation with Constance Wannamaker. Constance is a dedicated, bilingual immigration attorney based in El Paso, Texas, with more than 20 years of experience championing the rights of immigrants and advocating for public interest causes. As the founder of C.R. Wannamaker Law, PLLC—and the owner of Stern Law along with several related enterprises—she has established herself as a formidable entrepreneur and legal advocate committed to securing justice for underrepresented communities.
Join us to learn the whole story!
“A plan gives you peace of mind. When you know what’s coming, you stop reacting and start leading.”
-Constance Wannamaker
Finding Purpose Through Law
Constance Wanamaker’s path into law stemmed from a passion for social justice and helping underserved communities. While working with migrant farm workers during college, she experienced firsthand the severe conditions they endured. This sparked a realization: while social service work provided temporary relief, legal advocacy could offer lasting systemic change. That insight led her to pursue law school with the intent of becoming a farm worker attorney—a mission she followed through on.
The Critical Role of Due Diligence in Acquisitions
Beyond the financials and legal contracts, it’s vital to assess how the business functions on a daily basis and whether the team in place can continue operations without the owner. Often, sellers misrepresent their businesses as “professionally managed” when they are actually heavily dependent on the owner. Understanding the roles of existing staff, identifying leadership gaps, and knowing how work is distributed are essential in ensuring a smooth transition and long-term sustainability post-acquisition.
Acquisitions vs. Organic Growth: The Strategic Advantage
Constance and I highlight the advantages of acquisitions over organic growth. Launching a new office from scratch involves finding space, furnishing it, hiring staff, and building brand awareness—an expensive and time-consuming process. Acquiring an existing firm, on the other hand, provides instant infrastructure, client base, and revenue. She also notes the market opportunity in acquiring law firms led by retiring attorneys, especially those still operating with outdated methods. These businesses can be quickly modernized for greater efficiency and profitability.
Turning Business Expenses into Profit Centers
Rather than continually outsourcing services such as software development or call center support, businesses could consider acquiring companies in those verticals. This approach not only reduces long-term costs but can create new revenue streams. It’s a model that encourages building an ecosystem of interconnected businesses, optimizing customer lifetime value, and increasing operational control—a strategy relevant to entrepreneurs across industries.
“The best time to get control of your money is today—not when you’re bigger, or busier, or making more.”
-Constance Wannamaker
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Want to get in touch with Constance Wannamaker?
Website: http://crwannamakerlaw.com/inicio
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crwannamakerlaw/
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@abogadaconstance
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBcEu44jCVDX79foJl02cKQ/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=0