Business Partnership Origins: 5 Steps for a Flourishing Collaboration
Fresh Take:
Meet Joy Stevens, founder and president of the top-notch addiction and recovery service, Alegria Collaborative, based in sunny Los Angeles. With over a decade under her belt and a fiery passion for her work, Joy had never contemplated a business partner - that is, until she crossed paths with Dia Parsons.
Just like Joy, Dia had a wealth of experience in recovery and behavioral health, boasting her credentials as a CADC II counselor and a seasoned pro in high-end intervention crisis care. As emotional awareness is key in our line of work, forging a partnership might have been a natural progression. But don't be fooled, the journey has been a major growth experience for both of them.
If you strike gold and find a friend you'd like to team up with, Joy shares her top five tips for a successful partnership:
1. Lay a solid groundwork
After a nudge from a mutual industry buddy, Dia and Joy connected over a shared love for hiking, which provided the perfect opportunity to deepen their bond outside their demanding jobs. They covered everything from the personal to the professional. When they noticed their shared perspective on crisis care, Joy introduced Dia's skills to her clients, resulting in a resounding success that served as a preview of things to come.
2. Enlist a guide
Whether it's a strategist, therapist, or tarot card reader, having support is crucial. For their fledgling company, they collaborated with a business coach who helped them articulate their brand identity, persona, ethics, and practices. A challenging yet worthwhile experience, it paved the way for their brand launch, offering a chance to bond on a personal level.
3. Agree on your strategy
Dia and Joy understood their values were in sync – they believed in a personalized approach centered on empathy and camaraderie to alleviate the pressures of crisis care, promoting positive outcomes. Building on their shared vision, they established intention-based guiding principles for their business from the get-go.
4. Build support systems
Becoming business partners means diving headfirst into uncharted territory and making plenty of adjustments to your daily routines. As you pave the way, it's essential to anticipate changes and establish new routines to minimize disruptions. If possible, delegate tasks to individuals who excel in specific areas, allowing both partners to focus on their strengths.
5. Master difficult conversations
Navigating tough issues while growing a business alongside a partner requires patience, personal growth, and a keen understanding of your emotions. Be prepared for bumps in the road, but remember that resolving conflicts is key for your business's continued success. Also, don't forget to support yourself emotionally when needed.
Joy's final piece of advice? Cherish the partnership beyond the milestones – even in less glamorous moments, celebrate the strength of your bond. Dia and Joy often brainstorm while traveling, utilizing the resulting creativity and innovative solutions that come from fewer distractions. These serendipitous conversations remind them why they chose to embark on this journey together.
The Forbes Business Council is the premier organization for business owners and leaders – so, Do I qualify? Only time will tell.
- Joy Stevens and her business partner, Dia Parsons, met through a shared love for hiking and deepened their bond, ultimately leading to a successful partnership at Alegria Collaborative, a top-notch addiction and recovery service.
- To ensure their newly formed partnership would thrive, Joy and Dia sought the guidance of a business coach, who helped them articulate their brand identity, persona, ethics, and practices.
- Joy Stevens and Dia Parsons agreed on their strategy for Alegria Collaborative, emphasizing a personalized approach centered on empathy and camaraderie to alleviate the pressures of crisis care and promoting positive outcomes.
