Are You an Outlaw? Meet Kelly Schrupp

Who has redefined what it means to think outside the law (aka OUTLAW) and is helping each of us in the process?

Meet Kelly Schrupp, Director of Business Development & Marketing at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP. She has more than two decades of business development, marketing and sales experience with nearly half of those in law firms. Kelly focuses on developing strategic initiatives that further the business development, marketing, and client relationship building objectives for over 500 attorneys and ten offices at her firm. She recently completed The Wharton School Executive Education Certificate program “Business Analytics: From Data to Insight” and is currently working to strengthen the collection and analysis of data to maximize the effectiveness of marketing programs and increase the return on investment. Kelly is a member of the Legal Marketing Association and the American Marketing Association, where she previously served as Vice Chair of Social Media.

We asked Kelly a few questions, and her answers can be found below. Enjoy getting to know this Outlaw!

Q. Where would you like to live?
A. I would love to live near the beach, specifically the Gulf Coast beaches. For me, nothing is more relaxing than sitting with my toes in the sugar white sands and listening to the sound of the waves. The fresh air and the vitamin D are a bonus.

Q. What is your idea of happiness?
A. I do not need a lot to feel content or happy, so this may sound simplistic, but knowing that my family is happy and healthy makes me happy. Seeing a family member or friend who has worked hard and achieves a goal makes me happy. Having someone on my team at work complete a big project and receive kudos makes me happy. Volunteering my time to transport rescue dogs to their forever home makes me happy. Sure, there is happiness when I meet a personal goal or have some personal success but helping others to be happy means more.

Q. What is your motto?
A. This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is very important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.

Q. What is your greatest fear?
A. Well, this depends on the moment. Death – not my own, but the death of family or friends – is always the top fear. I don’t like to disappoint or let anyone down. And I have to include public speaking. I am in awe of people who pop up in front of an audience of 10 or 10,000 and make it look so easy.

Q. To what faults do you feel most indulgent?
A. Second-guessing myself and dwelling on past situations/events.

Q. Who are your favorite authors/ what are your favorite books?
A. I love reading biographies and autobiographies. One of my favorites is Condoleezza Rice’s “Extraordinary, Ordinary People.” I also read business, management, and leadership books. I never want to stop learning.

Q. If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
A. My great grandparents and grandparents. I recently tracked my family tree back to the 1600s on both sides of my family and have uncovered so many interesting stories. I wish I could have the opportunity to ask them questions about our family and the world they grew up in.

Q. What got you into working in the legal industry?
A. For 11 years I worked in marketing and sales for a small software company that sold to law firms. When the opportunity to interview for a marketing position at a law firm came open, I thought I understood the legal industry and the transition would be straightforward and relatively easy. Well, today I would not say it was easy, but I have found legal business development and marketing a rewarding profession.

Q. Your favorite musician/ band?
A. I like a variety of genres of music, but Bon Jovi is who comes to mind first. I love 80s big hair bands. (Don’t judge! Ha!)

Q. Your favorite virtue?
A. I have several – Generosity, Friendliness, Truthfulness, and Justice.

Q. Finish this sentence- if I won the lottery tomorrow I would…
A. Hopefully I could remain anonymous. Being the over planner that I am, I would talk to a lawyer and my financial advisor immediately. Next I would pay off my debts and provide for my family. Eventually, I would quit my job (I do enjoy my job but there are so many volunteer opportunities I want to pursue), go on a fabulous trip (not sure where – so many places I want to see), and buy a beach house. The remainder would be invested so I could hopefully live comfortably for the remainder of my life and work on my bucket list items.

Q. Who would you have liked to be?
A. I am pretty happy with my life, so I think I will stick to being me. But I would have liked a version of me who was a little taller and could sing!