Startup Story
Natasha Mohunlal is a Trademark Attorney, the founder and Managing Director of Natasha Mohunlal and Associates Inc. based in Pretoria, South Africa, also known as NMA. She is a prominent entrepreneur, community activist, and visionary. She won the Women in IP award in Utah in July 2022. Her law firm won the SA IP law firm of the year 2022 at the Middle East Africa Business Awards. Her firm also won the Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year 2023 at the Corporate LiveWire Innovation & Excellence Global Awards. She was also crowned title partner at the Influential Women of the Year Awards in March 2023, which took place in Cape Town. In the same year, she won the Lawyer Monthly Women in Law Awards 2023 and Prominent Women in International Law Award - WLA2023 Dubai. In July 2023, she was awarded the Top IP Leader award in Dubai, and was also selected for the 'Top 25 Exceptional Women in Trademark.’
LoA spoke to this powerhouse legal entrepreneur about her highly specialised business building journey, and her ambitions for the future.
What does your company do?
Intellectual property law services - trademark registrations, copyright patent and design services.
“I want to show other women that one can be a mother, celebrate womanhood, and find professional success all at the same time while overcoming their past.”
“My vision and fortitude for growth, expansion and success led me to the decision of establishing my own practice.”
What inspired you to start your company?
I want to show other women that one can be a mother, celebrate womanhood, and find professional success all at the same time while overcoming their past.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Natasha Mohunlal & Associates IP Attorneys is a boutique law firm specializing in intellectual property services across Africa and globally, through our trusted network of global agents. We specialize in trademarks, copyright, patents and design services. I am the Founder and Managing Director of the practice and bring over 18 years’ experience in intellectual property law. I was employed by two of the leading Intellectual Property law firms in South Africa. My vision and fortitude for growth, expansion and success led me to the decision of establishing my own practice. My exclusive focus is in taking the time to understand my clients’ brands, brand requirements and what it represents to them. We protect brands and that’s what makes us special.
Tell us a little about your team:
I have a group of students whom I mentor and teach. Hazel has been with me since June last year. I have seen her grow so much these past few months. We have our own little happy bubble, and we make sure we inspire and motivate each other daily.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
No, I don't come from an entrepreneurial background. I used to be a teacher and after a kid injured me, I decided to hold off on teaching and pursue the legal route instead. After working for a law firm for over a decade, I decided that I could do everything from the admin, secretarial, accounts and the actual legal, professional work. This equipped me as I ran my own practice as a senior associate for 2 years before opening my own law firm. I think joining networking organizations do help grow your business. I mainly work on referrals and ensure I provide excellent service delivery and ensure guaranteed referrals.
“My exclusive focus is in taking the time to understand my clients’ brands, brand requirements and what it represents to them. We protect brands and that’s what makes us special.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
I would like to open up an office in Dubai, USA, Malaysia, China, India, and Greece. I would also like to provide employment for over 100 South Africans as well as other nationals in other countries.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Client satisfaction, building client relations, and being successful in litigious matters.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
I want to show other women that one can be a mother, celebrate womanhood and find professional success all at the same time while overcoming their past.
Contact or follow Natasha Mohunlal and Associates Inc.
Email Address: natasha@nma-ip.com
Website: http://www.nma-ip.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/public/Natasha-Mohunlal
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natasha_mohunlal/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNEcjdIRKFE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQB48MychIw
Why LoA loves it…
Finding your niche in business is one of the keys to success, and for Natasha Mohunlal, that niche is in the highly specialized field of international property law. She is building a trusted reputation for the provision of advice and specialist intellectual property law services, including trademark registrations, copyright patent and design services. Her growing list of clients and industry recognition and awards is a testament to her specialist expertise, experience and insights. Definitely a future industry game-changer in the making and a business to watch over the coming years as it expands globally. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa