Ep 21: Grateful, Not Needy: The Secret to Healthy Collaboration

Ever wonder what it's like to build a business with your spouse? In this episode, we dive deep into the messy, magical world of collaboration—from working with family to choosing the right creative partners. Erin gets refreshingly honest about the challenges of running Superabound with Steve, including the time she realized she was more interested in the business than their romantic life (yikes!).

Key Topics:

• Working with Family: The good, the bad, and the "are we talking as business partners or life partners right now?" Erin shares how she and Steve navigate the tricky waters of being both married and business cofounders.
• Setting Boundaries: Learn about Erin's game-changing rule: no work talk after 9 PM, and everything business goes in Slack (not shouted across the house). Plus, the genius move of paying her kids $2 every time they caught her working outside work hours.
• The Collaboration Litmus Test: Before saying yes to any collaboration, ask yourself: "If I had to do 100% of the work, would I still be excited about this?" It's a brain gymnastics question that will save you from energy-draining partnerships.
• What Makes a Good Collaborator: First question: Is this a good person I actually want to spend time with? Because when things get hard (and they will), you need to like the person you're problem-solving with.
• The Parenting Parallel: Erin draws a beautiful connection between co-parenting and business collaboration—it's about being grateful your partner is there, not just needing them to lighten your load.

Memorable Quotes:

"I hired little narcs to keep me accountable. They're so good at that job."

"If I'm only interested in something if the other person does X, Y, and Z, it's probably not actually vision aligned."

Action Items for You:

• Audit your current collaborations: Are you approaching them from a place of "I don't want to do all the work" or "I genuinely want to build something with this specific person"?
• If you work with family or a partner, establish clear communication protocols. What's your version of "business stuff stays in Slack"?
• Before your next collaboration opportunity, ask: Would I still do this if I had to carry the full load? If not, it might not be aligned with your Vision.

Next Episode: Stay tuned for more conversations about building a business and life you actually love—without the burnout.

Thanks for mixing it up with us! 🍹

Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller "Superabound: Live the Life the Universe is Dreaming For You." She provides whole life coaching for business owners, integrating success and personal fulfillment through her unique all-in-one approach.

Learn more at besuperabound.com 

Elana McKernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. You can check out her free content here and learn more about coaching with her here.

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