Following graduation from Bishop Montgomery, Kristina matriculated to Florida International University where she graduated in 2007 with a degree in Communications. From there, she spent the next several years traveling the globe as a member of NBA Miami Heat’s dance squad. As a Heat Dancer, she performed at games and represented the organization at events all over the world. After a few years on the court with the Heat, Kristina enrolled in the Miami Ad School and, in 2011, completed a two-year portfolio program in Art Direction. Additionally in 2011, she completed her Master’s Degree in Global Strategic Communications from Florida International. With global experiences and several degrees on her resume, Kristina was ready for the next chapter in her life.
After making her way back to California to work in San Diego on a variety of projects for the city’s tourism industry, Kristina soon returned to South Florida. In 2012, she and her husband, James, were married. In January of this year, they launched Court Buddy, a business that has exploded on the legal scene. Using James’ career in law and Kristina’s experience in marketing and advertising, this successful couple have made a name for themselves and their business in Florida, and around the United States.
Court Buddy www.courtbuddy.com is an online, wholly-automated legal matchmaking system that instantly connects people and businesses with attorneys based on the client’s budget. Through the matchmaking system, people and businesses get to choose which a-la-carte legal services they need, how much they are able to afford, and with which attorneys they want to work. The idea was born out of James’ nearly decade-long experiences as an attorney. In late 2012, James, whose background is in business, maritime, and sports and entertainment law, found himself turning down potential clients because they could not afford the fees or the retainers. “I kept hearing, ‘I want to use you, but I can’t afford your fees,” explains James. And, it was not just his fees that potential clients had difficulty affording; for some people in need of legal help, it was any attorney. “The truth is,” says James, “many clients can’t afford the high fees and high retainers that attorneys are forced to charge due to their business model, and I wanted to find a way to help those people.” In its simplest form, Court Buddy gives people of all financial means instant access to legal help that they otherwise might not be able to afford.
With an idea in place, the couple researched their concept, launched a market survey, and hired engineers to create their website. James asked Kristina to help with everything from designing, marketing and advertising Court Buddy, to creating and distributing flyers. “We created a weekly newsletter and went around to courthouses handing out information containing free tips like how to hire an attorney and what to do when making a court appearance,” explains Kristina about the company’s modest beginnings. With an idea growing and word quickly spreading, James and Kristina were ready to market Court Buddy to much larger audiences with a goal of growing beyond Florida. In less than a year, James and Kristina have seen their business take off.
In April, James and Kristina submitted Court Buddy for the Miami Herald’s Business Plan Challenge, a contest for emerging businesses. Kristina asked BMHS alumni, through social media, to vote for Court Buddy to win the People’s Pick award, and they came through. “Because of [alumni] votes, we were able to win the contest,” said Kristina. In May, Court Buddy participated in the prestigious eMerge Americas Conference and was named one of the top 125 start-up companies. The accolades did not end there.
In June, Kristina was named by Legacy Magazine as one of South Florida’s 40 Under 40 Black Leaders of Today and Tomorrow and she gives some of the credit to her days as a student at Bishop: “Bishop opened my eyes to so many different opportunities and experiences that set the tone for my life. I am now constantly wanting to try new things and am willing to accept new opportunities because of the exposure Bishop provided.”
With a passion for entrepreneurship and a desire to help others, there was never a doubt that James and Kristina would make Court Buddy a success. Soon after the company launched in Florida, James explained that he and Kristina “started getting inquiries from people wanting to take advantage of the matchmaking system from all over the country.” Court Buddy is now providing people and businesses with affordable ways to obtain legal services, and is also driving business to attorneys not only in Florida, but in California, Texas, Georgia, Virginia, and Washington, D. C. as well. Soon, the couple plans to expand into North Carolina, South Carolina, New York and other states. “I can attribute some of the success of Court Buddy to BMHS for teaching me the values of teamwork, helping others, and using individual talents for the greater good of a team project,” Kristina says. And, it is certainly these qualities, coupled with her strong work ethic and commitment to success that has helped Kristina make such a brilliant transition from BMHS to one of America’s emerging tech entrepreneurs.
For more information about James and Kristina, and the services provided by Court Buddy, visit www.courtbuddy.com.