Working with Friends, potassium jokes, & Practical Magic
When we shared our thoughts on working with friends a few weeks back, we got a lot of responses. (In case you missed it, we’re very pro-working-with-pals.)
Some were skeptical. Some were intrigued. All were lovely, because that’s the kind of community this is.
But people were curious about the how.
Of course, going into business with your friends sounds great, but there can definitely be challenges that are heightened because there’s a deeper relationship at stake. Going into business for yourself is scary enough as it is. When you’re also putting a friendship at risk? It just gets scarier.
So what do you do when you’re thinking of going into business with a friend? When we decided to start Weak Ties/Strong Bonds, we had some serious conversations about what that meant.
🤝 We got clear that our friendship came first and that if working together endangered that, the business would be the first thing to go. (Keep in mind we do both have our own businesses in addition to WT/SB.)
🔋 We were super honest about how much time, energy, and money we could invest at the outset to ensure we were on the same page and meeting expectations. (And we keep checking in as both the business and personal resources change.)
🗣️ We acknowledged our different working styles and talked about how to best communicate and leverage our strengths most effectively.
Having these conversations, while they can be a bit challenging and awkward in the moment, are SO important in setting you up for success if you want to explore going into business with a friend.
AND SPEAKING OF WORKING WITH FRIENDS…
Tomorrow we’re hosting our monthly “Work With” Day. Join us at Talea in the West Village for a fun, free, no-RSVP-required co-working day and power through your to-do list with new pals!
And be sure to scroll down for the corny jokes, weighted blankets, and movie reboots we’re loving this week.
🪢 Laura + Lauren
Things We Loved This Week
Laura’s Things
🚽 “K.”
🥪 This list of the 57 sandwiches the define NYC.
😭 This reminder to not cry on live photo (or to cry every time).
💆 This neck and shoulder relaxer that I didn’t realize how much I loved until I stopped using it for a week.
Lauren’s Things
🛏️ This weighted blanket, which is the only one I can stand as a hot sleeper. A gift from my business partner, it has improved my sleep +/- 300%.
🪩 My absolute favorite workout went through some ups and downs in the COVID era, and has just re-opened 2 studios. It's fun. You'll sweat. It's supportive, femme and queer. See you on the dance floor!
😭 This podcast that's like my American Studies major, but more fun and less expensive. We're linking to my favorite throwback episode: Sad Jennifer Aniston.
🪄 Nicole Kidman confirming that she and Sandra Bullock are making Practical Magic 2. (All of my hair choices since 1998 have been based on Kidman in the OG.)
To Tie Things Up…
“Motivation comes from working on things we care about. It also comes from working with people we care about.”
― Sheryl Sandberg
