We all know (and some of us are) someone who became a lawyer because as a kid, people told them that they should be one because they were good at arguing. While Braden Drake might be one of those debate-prone kids turned lawyers, courtroom dramatics have never been a part of his practice. In fact, Braden favours educating over litigating. He also prefers the drama connected to his work life to come in the form of the art that his clients, who are creative entrepreneurs including drag performers, create.
Let’s backtrack for a minute. Braden grew up in a blue-collar family in Indiana, knowing zilch about the legal profession but wanting a job where he did not get dirt under his nails. After completing a somewhat obscure undergrad degree (a double-major in political science and Russian language), Braden headed to law school in San Diego at the California Western School of Law. With few expectations, Braden’s mind was open to the opportunities law school presented him and tried things out to find the best thing for him. Through a grueling and soul-crushing summer internship at a big law firm, he learned that big law was definitely not the right fit. Through his classes, he learned that (surprisingly) tax law was. How much did Braden love tax law? So much, in fact, that he went on to complete a master’s degree in tax law from the University of San Diego School of Law.
In 2017, Braden started his own practice in Southern California, Braden Drake Law, where he helped small business owners navigate contracts, taxes, and other legal hurdles without the unnecessary complexity or corporate frills of traditional law firms. No courtroom drama, just contracts and tax help. Braden’s work naturally attracted creative entrepreneurs - photographers, designers, artists, and others with big ideas but little patience for legalese.
Having taught many creative business owners and entrepreneurs about the law that applied to them, Braden got into education.
Over the years, he realized his true passion wasn’t just in solving legal and tax problems, but in teaching business owners how to untangle their finances, simplify their contracts, and take control of their futures. Having helped hundreds of entrepreneurs, Braden was faced with many of the same questions. This realization led to the creation of Unf*ck Your Biz, a coaching program and course designed to empower entrepreneurs to tackle the less glamorous parts of running a business. After 2 years working in his own legal practice, Braden decided to close his firm and focus on education.
His collaborative coaching program became a place where future business owners and entrepreneurs could learn from each other. Unf*ck Your Biz helped countless creatives and business owners tackle their back taxes, untangle their numbers, form their LLCs, and streamline their contracts. As his program evolved, he started offering bookkeeping and tax assistance to his clients.
But he did not stop there.
Recognizing the demand for a broader solution, Braden created his new and current firm Not Avg Law; a firm that blends tax help, legal support, and education. It’s a one-stop shop for creatives, from drag queens with piles of untamed cash tips to small biz owners drowning in tax stress. With many of his clients in the wedding industry, Braden ensures these wedding pros don’t end up saying “I do” to IRS trouble.
The firm lives up to its name and perfectly captures Braden’s unique style as a lawyer (one peek at his website and you will see what we mean). Though Braden avoids the courtroom drama of litigation, he appreciates clients with a flair for drama. He founded Drag Tax—to help give drag artists a financial makeover when they start earning real money and need someone who understands their unique world to keep them out of IRS hot water. When drag queens are launched into success, they start accumulating cash tips and have no time or interest in financial management, they don't want to be dragged down by taxes. Enter Braden, the Drag [Tax] Mother.
While passionate about taxes and the law, Braden saw an opportunity to do even more.
Braden’s business model allows him to embrace his creative side by doing marketing work, stage talks and featuring as a guest on podcasts. He’s also a sought-after speaker, podcast host, and content creator. His podcast, Unf*ck Your Biz, breaks down the financial and legal topics small business owners need to understand in a way that’s engaging, approachable, and—dare we say—fun. Whether he’s sharing tips on TikTok, delivering talks at summits, or appearing as a guest on other podcasts, Braden’s goal is always the same: to educate, empower, and entertain.
For those considering a career like his, Braden’s advice is simple: ditch the traditional mold and the stereotype of a stiff, suit-clad attorney, find a niche you are passionate about, and create something that reflects who you truly are. For Braden, that meant combining his love of entrepreneurship, law, and education to create a career that allows him to empower others while living a life he loves.
Braden found a niche by combining areas of interest (entrepreneurship, taxes, law and business). Being problem aware, Braden has been able to spot an issue in the market, make the impacted audience aware of the problem and sell them the solution.
Having shaped his dream job while making time to pursue his other passions, Braden does not feel the need to incorporate wellness practices into his career.
By creating his dream law job, Braden does minimal traditional legal work and focuses on doing the things he is most passionate about, like helping creatives succeed! Being his own boss has allowed him to work 4-5 hours a day while utilizing his “free” time to do other things he enjoys like completing Ironman Triathlons, Olympic Weightlifting, and of course cooking and baking. Staying true to himself and focusing on what he enjoys ended up paying off for Braden. Three years after starting his own practice, not only was he making a similar income to what he would have made in big law, but he also loves the job he created.
From tax law to TikTok, dramatic kid to Drag [Tax] Mother, Braden is redefining what it means to be a lawyer - and having a blast while doing it.