How to collaborate with the competition. On our first episode of PRessing On: Real Life in Public Relations, we discuss our career paths that led us to become entrepreneurs as well as how we work with the collab-etition. Our Journeys We’ve known each other for nearly 10 years after we met working in public-sector communications for a government agency in Southern California. Being just three months apart in age and holding very similar values and work ethics, we hit it off immediately. Liselle’s journey to owning her own business started more than 15 years ago when she started DeGrave Communications, Inc as a side hustle. Since then, she also worked for an international public relations firm and for two government agencies. In 2015, she decided to pursue her business full-time and now has a thriving award-winning public relations agency focusing on government clients. Conversely, Rachel has always worked in government from even before she graduated from college. She really enjoyed working in government but always knew that there was something more that she was supposed to do and in 2018, she decided to hang her own shingle and start RMG Communications. Not even a year later, her business continues to grow and flourish. Collaborating with the Competition Otherwise known as collaborating with the competition, this concept offers the opportunity to work with others doing similar work as you to help grow and scale your business. Top Tips 1. Proceed with Caution: Be Selective on Who You Partner With Are the values and work approach of the person or business you have been approached by in line with you work ethics and values? If not, it is ok to say no. 2. Set the Ground Rules Up Front Nothing ruins a business relationship or friendship faster than business/money issues. Make sure you have a contract up front and decide how to handle finances. Also, decide what projects you want to collaborate on up front. You will need to decide which agency/person will be the project lead. Not every project is going to be a fit for this work model. 3. Maintain Open Communication Communication with the team you are working with and your clients is key. Let your clients know who they will be working with and what role that person will be taking on so nothing falls through the cracks. 4. Have Fun Don’t forget to have fun. Business should excite you – not leave you feeling drained and uninspired. Be sure to authentically share your journey on social media. And remember: Teamwork makes the dream work! You can accomplish more together than on your own. Follow us: PRessingOnPodcast.com insta @pressingoninpr Visit us: degravepr.com rmgcomm.com