Intro by Skip Cohen

Suzette Allen’s archives are loaded with great tips, techniques, and wisdom. I didn’t have to dig back very far to have something catch my eye. She shared a post below on January 8, 2023, called #TogetherWeRise. The first section of it really hit home, but I took her comments into the business world.

There’s so much in this industry we think we have to do alone. Yet, when you collaborate with another person or company, you double your chances for success. You reduce costs with partnerships, increase creativity and get more exposure.

Here’s an example: You’re a family portrait artist and you want to do a direct mail piece. If you bring in two partners, you reduce your cost by 1/3. All three of you become ambassadors for each other. You get more exposure because you’re combining all three databases maximizing your reach.

Even more appropriate is working through the challenges in business utilizing your network. This is an industry of friends who watch each other’s backs. We support each other and when there’s a problem, you don’t have to fly solo. 

“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much”

Helen Keller.

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So often we think we are better off by ourselves.

It’s simpler, right? And so much less messy.

But it’s dangerous and the truth is we are wired for community.

For interdependence. For connection.

We are made for each other, as friends, family, colleagues, buddies, whatever- Just together.

Two are better than one, because if one falls, the other can lift him up. And if one is overpowered, two can resist attack. A cord of three strands is not easily broken, right?”*

Ecclesiastes 4:9-11