How Family Lawyer Hannah Hembree Bell Built a Thriving Practice Through Authenticity, Video Marketing, and Heart

What’s the secret to building a successful law firm from scratch with no big budget, no client list, and no experience?

According to Austin-based family law attorney Hannah Hembree Bell, the answer isn’t fancy marketing tricks or a long resume—it’s authenticity, storytelling, and consistent online visibility.

In a candid interview, Hannah shares how she built her thriving divorce and family law practice by leaning into her personal story, showing up online every day, and never pretending to be something she’s not. Here’s how she did it—and how other lawyers can do the same.

🎥 1. Ditch Perfection—Pick Up Your Phone and Start Recording

Hannah’s rise started with something most lawyers avoid like the plague: video marketing.

She didn’t have a background in social media. But when a friend (Me!!) challenged her to turn her thoughtful LinkedIn posts into videos, she said yes—and never looked back.

“It was cringey at first,” she admits. “But the moment I saw that first video hit over 10,000 views, I knew I was onto something.”

Hannah’s authenticity—sharing real advice and emotional truths from her own divorce experience—created trust and connection. Over time, her videos made her a recognizable face in the Austin divorce world.

💡 Tip for Lawyers: People don’t want a perfect lawyer. They want a real one. Show up on video, even if you’re not polished. You’ll build stronger trust and attract the clients who resonate with you.

🌱 2. Build from Scratch—Even Without a Budget

When Hannah started her firm, she had no marketing plan and no runway—just a $10,000 loan from her (now) husband.

So how did she get her first clients?

• She posted videos online every single day
• She reached out to everyone she knew (even old high school friends)
• She offered help for free, and made real connections at the courthouse
• She did of-counsel work to keep money flowing while she built her name

“Your #1 job is to make the phone ring,” Hannah says. “You do that by being everywhere and helping people.”

💡 Tip: Don’t wait for everything to be perfect. Get scrappy. Post on TikTok, message your network, volunteer in court, offer support—just get visible.

🤝 3. Leverage Other People’s Audiences

A brilliant but often-overlooked strategy Hannah uses is commenting thoughtfully on other influential people’s posts. She doesn’t pitch. She adds value.

This builds visibility in front of someone else’s already-engaged audience—and it works.

“Show up consistently in someone else’s world, and you’ll gain their audience’s trust, too,” she explains.

💡 Tip: Want attention? Stop waiting for it. Show up where conversations are already happening.

💬 4. Use Your Story as Your Superpower

What sets Hannah apart isn’t just her legal skill—it’s her vulnerability and heart.

She shares how her personal family law struggles shaped her mission, and she openly discusses her journey from single mom in debt to successful firm owner.

“Don’t be afraid to say, ‘Here’s what I went through—and here’s how I help others now.’ That’s where the connection is.”

💡 Tip: Your greatest professional asset might be your personal story. Tell it.

🎓 5. Launch Thought Leadership Projects—Like a Course

Hannah recently created My Confident Divorce, a digital course designed to help women prepare for divorce before they file.

It’s not just a smart business move—it’s a way to reach people she couldn’t serve as a Texas-only attorney. It’s also helping her stand out as a national voice in the divorce space.

“The course was born from my own pain. It’s everything I wish someone had told me before my divorce.”

💡 Tip: Consider packaging your most repeated advice into a course, ebook, or email series. Thought leadership drives leads—and opens new revenue streams.

❤️ Final Advice: Bet on Yourself

If there’s one theme in everything Hannah says, it’s this: bet on yourself.

Whether you’re making videos, starting a firm, or launching a new product, the scariest part is often just starting. But when you follow your passion and show up as your full self, you create ripple effects far beyond what you imagine.

“I bet on me because I’m a good bet. And you should bet on you, because you’re a good bet.”

📢 Key Takeaways for Lawyers:

• Use video to build authentic connections (even if it’s awkward at first)
• Show up online every day with heart, not hype
• Leverage other people’s audiences to grow your reach
• Share your personal story—it builds trust
• Thought leadership (like a course) can expand your impact and your brand
• Don’t wait for perfection. Take action now.

📈 Want to Grow Your Law Firm Like Hannah?

Start with one small thing today:
🎥 Make a short video.
🧠 Share a personal insight.
💬 Leave a valuable comment on someone’s post.

Because the secret to standing out as a lawyer in today’s world isn’t more credentials—it’s more connection.

Would you like me to:

• Format this into a Medium or LinkedIn article?
• Write a headline + caption for sharing this on social?
• Create an intro paragraph for your law firm’s website based on this content?

Happy to help with any or all of that. Hit me up at https://www.dustinsancheztv.com/contact/