Severine Audoubert & Jullian Hoareau - Develop an ancillary business as a lawyer

In our final episode of the podcast The Cheat Code, we had the pleasure of talking with two profiles that were as inspiring as they were daring: Séverine Audoubert, CEO of MyEntrepreneurbox, and Julian Hoareau, CEO of SWIM. Two personalities who are reinventing the way law is practiced, combining entrepreneurship, innovation and long-term vision.

As the conversation progresses, they look back on their respective backgrounds, but also on substantive topics: what does that mean undertake When are you a lawyer? How to open up to related activities without going beyond the scope of the profession? And above all, why is this shift essential today in order to change our practices?

SWIM and MyEntrepreneurbox : two projects, one breath

On the one hand, Jullian Hoareau launched SWIM, the first French platform dedicated to connecting freelance lawyers and legal professionals (law firms or departments). The idea is simple but powerful: to offer more flexibility to lawyers while allowing structures to quickly access specialized skills. All within a strict ethical framework, validated by the Paris Bar. On SWIM, everything is centralized: quotes, invoicing, messaging, mission monitoring... in short, a real digital workspace designed for legal professionals.

On the other hand, Séverine Audoubert imagined MyEntrepreneurbox, a marketplace designed for lawyers and jurists who want Reinvent their firm. She supports these profiles in all stages of their transformation: from ideation to legal structuring, including financial strategy, digital communication, training, and even the recruitment of a team. A real toolbox to move from a “classic” firm to a more innovative, agile model focused on the client needs of tomorrow.

Lawyer • Entrepreneur (at the beginning, anyway)

Jullian doesn't mince words: “Before being a lawyer, life was a long, quiet river.” He explains that, contrary to what one might think, Being a lawyer doesn't really prepare you for being a business owner. Setting up your business is a different world. You have to learn how to do everything: understand tech, manage marketing, manage marketing, think product, manage finances, lead a team... He frankly says that he has never worked as hard in his life as since he launched SWIM. And yet, he would not go back for anything in the world.

With Séverine, they share an observation: lawyers are not trained in entrepreneurship. They have to learn on the job, experiment, fail sometimes, learn quickly. This lack of preparation makes the transition demanding, but also very rich. Because at the end of the road, there is the freedom to invent a new way of exercising.

Related activity: opening doors without leaving the frame

Séverine also insists on a point that is often misunderstood: the concept of related or ancillary activities. No, it's not a hazy or risky area. On the contrary, it is a real diversification opportunity for lawyers, as long as they respect the rules. It can be teaching, legal writing, mediation, corporate training... all these activities that use the skills of the lawyer without being directly related to litigation or advice.

These activities often make it possible to test new formats, to develop a more entrepreneurial posture, and sometimes even to create bridges to future larger projects. Of course, they must be declared to the Order, but they are perfectly compatible with the exercise of the profession, as long as they respect the fundamental principles: independence, professional secrecy, loyalty, etc.

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