5 Questions With Angie Treichel
Angie Treichel from AJT Legal shares her experience in starting a business locally and her favourite hidden gem in the Gympie region.
What made you start this business locally?
I’ve been a Gympie local most of my life and I didn’t want to leave, I love it here and wanted to raise my children here, so when it came time to open my own business it just made sense to stay where I love.
What’s something people misunderstand about the work you do?
Most people think estate planning is about paperwork. I think it’s about people.
Yes, I draft Wills, trusts and powers of attorney, but that’s only a small part of what I actually do. My real job is helping people make difficult decisions, navigate family dynamics, protect what they’ve worked hard to build, and make sure their wishes are carried out when they no longer have a voice.
The documents are the easy part. The conversations are where the real value lies.
What’s your favourite hidden gem in the area?
The Gympie Regional Art Gallery. It has so many wonderful exhibits and activities for the kids. My daughter and I love attending the exhibits regularly. The gallery do such a great job of presenting the exhibits, they are so kind and welcoming and it’s completely free to attend most things and it’s a great way to support local artists. I think it’s often overlooked but it’s well worth a visit.
What’s the toughest part of running a local business?
The toughest part is that, as a business owner, the buck stops with you. Every decision, every challenge and every success sits on your shoulders.
In the early days, I also found it quite isolating. Building a network of trusted peers and fellow business owners has made all the difference. It’s a reminder that while you’re running your own race, you don’t have to run it alone.
What do you appreciate most about the Gympie community?
The support and loyalty shown by my clients. Word of mouth is absolutely the biggest driver of my business and that is simply from the kindness of my past clients willing to put my name forward when people ask for the services I provide. I see them recommending me in the local Facebook community pages and I am so grateful for that.
