Newtown Small Business Spotlight: Bellenot and Boufford

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

• Business: Bellenot & Boufford, LLC
• Owners: Kathy Boufford and Ronald K. Bellenot, Sr.
• Website: www.bbesq.com
• Address: 280 S. Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470

How did you come up with the name?

Ron credits his parents and I credit my husband. All kidding aside, many professionals use their names as their business name. Our knowledge and experience is the business and our names convey – we hope - a personal and professional reputation of credibility and trust.

Why start a business in this town?

Ron and I moved our offices to Newtown five years ago. We liked the town and the business community. We’ve made many professional connections with both the Newtown Chamber and Newtown Flagpole BNI. Newtown residents also have a good reputation for supporting local businesses and we’ve found that to be true.

Briefly, what business are you in?

We help people with life’s trials. We do this by offering legal consultation, representation, trial advocacy and mediation. Our practice areas include Family Law, Workers’ Compensation, Bankruptcy/Foreclosure, Personal Injury and Criminal Law.

What has been the most difficult challenge you’ve experienced?

Debunking the myth that an attorney has to be underhanded and difficult to be good. Some people feel so comfortable with me after my first meeting that they tell me they worry I am, “too nice” or “too reasonable.” They worry these traits are a weakness. The truth is, attorney’s don’t have to be unethical or “nasty” to effectively represent their clients. In my opinion, the handful of attorneys that do conduct themselves that way do a disservice to their clients. They drive the cost of the litigation up, alienate opposing attorneys and develop a bad reputation with judges. I get much farther by being well prepared, making strong but reasonable claims, and saving my “nasty” for cross-examination.

What has been your proudest achievement?

Like most professionals, I can think of quite a few “highs” and “wins” that have occurred over the past 20 years that I have been in practice. I am most proud of the day to day work that we do to help people; lifting their spirits, easing their burdens, helping provide for a hopeful future, and being part of the solution, not part of the problem. The little things ARE the big things, as the saying goes.

Would you like to see your small business showcased in this series? Email wendy.mitchell@patch.com.