The Algebra Lesson That Taught Me How to Run a Business

This is what's needed in 2025 to build EEAT:

By Laura Cowan, Esq., CPA

Founder of 2-Hour Lifestyle Lawyer® and estate planning attorney licensed in New York and Minnesota

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In high school, I had a math teacher named Mr. Mashek. He taught algebra the old-fashioned way — methodically, step by step, chalk on the board, no shortcuts. He believed in understanding the logic behind every equation.

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But as we got closer to the final exam, something changed.

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Some students had mastered the formulas and understood the “why” behind the math. Others were still struggling. That’s when Mr. Mashek said something I’ve never forgotten:

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“At this point, forget about understanding the why! There's no time. Just memorize the steps so you can get the best grade possible on the exam.”

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At the time, it struck me as practical. Years later, I realized it was profound. Because that lesson wasn’t just about algebra. It was about life. And it was definitely about business.

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Knowing When to Learn vs. When to Execute

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As entrepreneurs, we’re constantly learning. We want to understand the strategy behind a marketing funnel, the psychology behind pricing, or the full logic behind a sales script. That’s good — until it becomes a trap.

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There comes a point where trying to understand the why keeps you stuck. You spin your wheels reading, thinking, or doubting, instead of doing. And in business, the exam never stops. There’s always another challenge, another opportunity, another deadline.

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Sometimes, the most strategic move is to stop analyzing and start implementing — even if you don’t fully “get” every piece yet. Follow the proven method. Use the template. Plug in the system. Get the result. You can go back and learn the why later, when there’s more breathing room.

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Real Strategy Is Knowing What Time It Is

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Being a great business owner doesn’t mean you always know the answer. It means you know what time it is. Is it time to explore, or time to execute? Time to get curious, or time to get it done?

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Mr. Mashek taught me algebra. But more than that, he taught me how to make strategic decisions under pressure. And in a way, that lesson helped me build a business far more than x’s and y’s ever could.

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About the Author

Laura Cowan, Esq., CPA

Laura Cowan is a licensed estate planning attorney, former Certified Public Accountant,and the author of the Amazon international bestselling book Lifestyle Lawyer Revolution.With over 20 years of experience, she helps families and lawyers build legally sound,values-driven legacies.

She is the founder of The Law Office of Laura Cowan, Esq. and creator of the 2-HourLifestyle Lawyer® program, which has trained over 600 attorneys nationwide to buildmodern, ethical, and sustainable estate planning practices.

Laura earned her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School and holds a B.S. inAccounting from Iowa State University. She is admitted to practice in both New York andMinnesota and is known for her straightforward, integrity-first approach to both legal workand lawyer education. Her dual background as an attorney and CPA allows her to deliverclarity, strategy, and peace of mind—whether she’s guiding a family through estateplanning or helping a lawyer build an AI-proof firm.

Her insights have been featured in more than 20 national media outlets including Forbes,Oprah Daily, Realtor.com, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, andGoBankingRates. She is widely recognized as a national voice in ethical entrepreneurshipand estate planning innovation.

To learn more, visit:

www.LauraECowanLaw.com – for client services

www.2HourLifestyleLawyer.com – for lawyer training and resources

www.LifestyleLawyerRevolution.com – for Laura's book

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