Business

Innovative Australian entrepreneur continues to disrupt the automotive industry

Published

5 years ago

October 9, 2020

Simon is the founder of a leading provider of innovative car products and accessories. Simon has been able to build a name around selling four-wheel drive products. He literally took the challenges he faced all through his life, found a solution to tackle the problem, and made it available to millions of people having a similar experience.

“So all my whole life, I have been tripping over by accident and falling into new things. In 2009, we put out our first product, designing for a 4-wheel drive on eBay and nobody else was doing it and it just took off like *3’47*. We were invited to four-wheel drive forums and tons of people heard about my product and they wanted to buy the product. So, yeah, it just built from there and the reputation,” Simon said.

The automotive industry has continued to grow over the years, with the market putting out tremendous figures in recent times. According to a report published by I. Wagner on Statista, the auto industry’s most important segments are commercial vehicles and passenger cars. While there are several solutions offered by different manufacturers and brands across the globe, many of such products do not meet the needs of consumers. This is where Simon and his team have been of immense help over the years with their range of ground-breaking products.

Simon has seemingly disrupted the automotive industry, thanks to the fantastic solutions offered by his company. The passionate entrepreneur stole the heart of different stakeholders in the industry over a decade ago doing 4-wheel drive shows, where customers and members of the public stroll in to see the solutions on display.

“At the very first show, my friend and I hired the tiniest booth you could get for $2000 and we sat there for 2 products. Now, our products are different for every single vehicle out there, so we just took the two that we made. We sat there all weekend and wrote down the car type and email address of those who wanted products like ours. I spoke to 24,000 people that weekend and rang back every single person over the next 2 months asking what product of ours they wanted to be built for their car. To do that I used my spare time from my day-to-day job packing shells for a souvenir company,” said Simon.

Simon has continued to grow his brand over the years thanks to exceptional service delivery.

Business

Click for Counsel: YesLawyer Wants to Make Lawyers as Accessible as Wi-Fi

Published

6 days ago

April 1, 2026

Matthew Wiles

Photo Courtesy of: YesLawyer

Byline: Andi Stark

For many people facing a legal problem, the most difficult part is not understanding their rights but finding a lawyer willing to speak with them in the first place. Long wait times, unclear pricing, and administrative hurdles often delay even the most basic consultations. YesLawyer, an AI-enabled plaintiff firm operating across all 50 states, is testing whether technology can shorten that gap.

Founded in 2024 by 25-year-old entrepreneur Rob Epstein, the platform offers free intake, automated screening, and, in many cases, same-day conversations with licensed attorneys. The idea is simple: reduce the friction between a client’s first request for help and an actual legal discussion. In this interview, Epstein explains how the system works, where artificial intelligence fits into the process, and what problems the company is trying to address in the broader legal system

Q: When you say you want lawyers to be “as accessible as Wi-Fi,” what does that mean in practical terms?

A: It’s a way of describing speed and availability. Someone dealing with a workplace dispute, a serious injury, or an immigration issue should be able to move from an online form or phone call to a real conversation with counsel in hours, not weeks. YesLawyer is structured so that a client begins with a free case evaluation, goes through automated conflict checks and basic screening, and, in many instances, speaks with a lawyer the same day.

Q: How does the process work once someone contacts the platform?

A: We use a structured workflow. It starts with a short questionnaire and an initial conversation to capture basic facts. That information feeds into conflict checks and internal review. The system then proposes a match with a licensed attorney and provides a calendar link for a virtual consultation, often within 24 hours. After the meeting, the client receives a written legal plan outlining next steps, deadlines, and estimated fees.

Q: Where does artificial intelligence fit into that process, and where does it stop?

A: AI is used for organizing and routing information, not for giving legal advice. It helps with conflict checks at scale, case categorization, and structured summaries so attorneys can focus on the substance of the matter. Every consultation is conducted by a licensed lawyer, and all decisions about strategy or next steps are made by humans.

Q: What problem is this model trying to solve in the current legal system?

A: Delay and cost are still major barriers. Many civil plaintiffs face long waits just to get a first appointment, along with high retainers and hourly billing that make early legal advice risky. We try to respond with faster consultations, flat-fee options, and financing. The idea is to remove administrative friction so lawyers spend less time on logistics and more time speaking with clients.

Q: Some critics say platforms like this blur the line between a technology company and a law firm. How do you describe YesLawyer?

A: We describe ourselves as a national, AI-enabled plaintiff firm that connects clients with independent attorneys. That structure does raise regulatory questions, especially around responsibility and oversight. We focus on licensing verification, attorney-written case plans, and clear communication about fees and services.

Q: You’ve said the main bottleneck is “systems” rather than people. What do you mean by that?

A: The issue isn’t that lawyers don’t want to help more people. It’s that the systems around them make it hard to scale their time. Intake, scheduling, and document handling take hours. Automating those parts means attorneys can handle more matters without being overwhelmed by repetitive tasks.

Q: Does this model risk favoring only the most profitable cases?

A: That’s a real concern in legal technology. Automation often works best for repeatable, high-volume disputes. Our view is that lowering administrative cost can actually make it easier to take on smaller or more complex cases that might otherwise be turned away. Whether that holds over time depends on the data.

Measuring Impact Over Time

YesLawyer’s attempt to compress the timeline between inquiry and consultation reflects broader changes in how legal services are being delivered. As artificial intelligence becomes more common in administrative work, firms are experimenting with new ways to reduce wait times and clarify costs.

The company’s early growth suggests that many clients value faster access to an initial conversation, even before considering long-term representation. Whether this platform-based model becomes widely adopted or remains one of several emerging approaches will depend on regulatory developments, lawyer participation, and measurable outcomes for clients. For now, YesLawyer’s experiment highlights a central question in modern legal practice: how quickly can help realistically be made available to the people who need it.