The Secret to Successful Collaborations
Planning your next collab? Read this first
I’m a huge fan of collaborations. They're an opportunity to connect with like minded business owners and entrepreneurs while you trial different ideas and have fun.
This year, I’ve teamed up with some incredible women…Evie Kemp, Catie from the Super Creative Podcast, Idyllic Studio, Force Femme, Empower Her, Design Assembly… and the juiciest thing I’ve learned?
A great collab is so much more than sliding into the DMs with ‘Hey, wanna work together?’ and crossing your fingers.
At an event, we dug deep to uncover what makes a collaboration truly work. The insights were too good not to share, so here are my hot takes you can carry into your next successful collab.
1. Plan based on shared values
Before you get swept up in the excitement, pause and ask yourselves:
Do we care about the same things?
Do we work in similar ways?
Values alignment matters more than follower count. Without it, you’ll clash before you even get started.
2. Get clear on the outcome
What exactly are you building together? Is it a co-hosted event? A content series? Or a shared product?
Define success for BOTH of you. A clear, mutual outcome will help prevent resentment later.
3. Date before you commit
Don’t rush into this commitment. Test the waters with a small project. Notice how they show up. Do they meet deadlines? Do they share the load? That mini-collab will tell you everything you need to know about committing longer-term.
4. Know your energy and capacity
Excitement is contagious, but hype can blind you. So ask yourself this serious question: Do you both have the time, energy and trust to make this work? Sometimes saying no is the smartest move you can make before you're left burned out or carrying the load for both of you.
5. Referrals are collabs too
Not all collaborations look like podcasts or co-hosted workshops. Referrals are one of the most powerful forms of collaboration. Nurture them, thank them and embrace the law of reciprocity: give as much as you receive.
6. Start with values, end with intention
This is the golden rule. The best collabs aren’t accidents; they’re intentional, thoughtful and grounded in aligned values. When you start with shared beliefs and finish with a clear plan, you create something bigger than the sum of its parts.
Collaborations can fast-track your growth, expand your reach and deepen your impact, but only if they’re built on the right foundations.
Save these tips for when you’re planning your next partnership, and remember: the right collab doesn’t just grow your business, it grows YOU.
And if you're looking for someone to bounce ideas off? You know where to find me.
Want help mapping it out?
My 1:1 Strategy Sessions are the perfect place to get clarity before you commit to your next big partnership.
✨ Book your Strategy Session here and together we'll build a powerful collab for your business.