Tola Alade’s Post

Recently, I found myself in a heated but manageable "fall-out" with a business partner. As emotions boiled over and sparks flew, it was like a fiery encounter that left us both reeling. But here's the thing: a wise man once told me that getting into business with someone is like marrying them... 💏... and just like in the bedroom, sometimes the best moments come after the most intense clashes. 🥰 In the heat of the argument, we both bared our souls, defending our work and challenging each other's assumptions. It was raw, it was intense, but it was also undeniably passionate. Our commitment to our shared goals burned brighter than ever before. 🎯 After the storm passed, we came together for what I can only describe as an electrifying "make-up session". The air crackled with tension, but beneath it all, there was a newfound sense of understanding and unity. 🤝 Looking back, I realise that conflicts in professional relationships are not just unavoidable but can also be incredibly invigorating. They're like the spice that adds flavour to the dish, the fuel that ignites the fire of innovation. 🔥 So here's to embracing conflict as a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey. Because just like in the bedroom, sometimes a little friction is exactly what we need to reach new heights of success. 🚀💼 #BusinessPassion #ConflictResolution #EntrepreneurialFire

My co-founder and I began as best friends. A few years on, we barely talked. Here’s what I wish I'd known: There’s an innocence in beginning a business. You start with an idea paired with a hope for a better future. Most of these ideas never go anywhere. Some go far. Ours started to work. Customers. Then revenue. Then funding. Then hiring. These were exciting, chaotic times. And as the complexity of our business grew, our attention naturally drifted to what the business needed. What each of us needed got lost in the gravity of the business. For a period of time this was fine...especially when the business was doing well. As founders, our identities can get so wrapped up in the business that we feel good when the business is good, and we feel not so good when the business struggles. And when things get hard and cofounders are out of practice in communicating needs clearly and cleanly, blame takes over. After all, it’s easier to blame someone else than ourselves. Blame kills cofounder relationships. -- The only way back is to take personal responsibility for the state of the relationship. You’ve played a key role in how things have devolved. And sure, they’ve played a role too, but this is your responsibility to fix. This is hard to do. Inertia has set in. Your default mode will be to blame, fight, and avoid. None of these tactics are helpful. The skills required are empathy, then listening, and then clean communication of your needs…in that order. What’s particularly sad about cofounder relationships is that your cofounder is the ideal ally for getting your needs met. But first, it needs to become safe to communicate these together again. The way back is hard. Most never get there. For me and my cofounder, it took us years (after the business) to get back to being allies. If I knew what I know now - the steps required - we might have figured it out back when we were building together. Sharing this today in case this might help you. -- Know a founder in the struggle? Send them this post. The worst thing is to feel alone in the challenge of it.

👩💻If it aint broke… don’t fix it! Sounds like sensible advice, right?🤷🏼♀️ But that’s based on an assumption you know what needs to be fixed! What about if you can’t see the damage? If you miss the signs that your co-founder relationship is broken or you drag your heels, ‘ignoring’ the problems because there’s too much at stake if you mess with it? However there’s a lot more at stake if you carry on as you are! Bumbling along, both sensing it’s not the joyous journey you were hoping for yet persevering for the wrong reasons. It certainly doesn’t get better without intervention but it does weigh heavily on your emotional well being and impacts the business. Resentment builds and leaks out into your communication, your relationships can turn toxic and finally one of you exits the business on bitter and acrimonious terms. This is not uncommon. This may sound counter-intuitive from someone who helps founders navigate through conflict 😁but recognising when it’s not working is also a solution! Sometimes in founder partnerships, letting go is best for each other and the health of the startup. Step 1. Acknowledge it’s broken. Step 2. Accept it. Step 3. Take Action. And that is your ‘fix’. After the initial few months of navigating the split you will sleep much better and can direct your energy and focus more purposefully on rebuilding the business without your co-founder or launching something new. —————————————————— 👀 Follow me! 🔗 Connect for more founder conflict content! 🔔Hit my bell to receive new post alerts! 📚 Buy my book (link in comments) 📧 Email: [email protected] 📞Book a call #founder #cofounder #conflict

Starting a business? You’re not alone! Let’s talk about building connections that actually help your business thrive. 🌟 1️⃣ Take the leap Networking as a small business owner might feel awkward at first, but those coffee chats, LinkedIn messages, or small talk at events could lead to your next big idea—or client. Not every connection is forever, but each one can teach you something valuable. 2️⃣ Be intentional Find communities that align with your business goals. Whether it’s joining a Facebook group for entrepreneurs, attending local workshops, or simply DMing someone who inspires you, the effort you put into connecting with others pays off in unexpected ways. 3️⃣ Make it mutual Connections are a two-way street. Celebrate their wins, share resources, and offer your help when you can. Supporting others creates a ripple effect that brings positivity and opportunity right back to you. 💬 Who has been your biggest supporter so far? Tag them or share how connecting with others has helped your journey. Let’s lift each other up—your business journey doesn’t have to feel lonely! #CoCountant #Accounting #Startup #SmallBusiness #Bookkeeping

How Can Small Business Owners Overcome Rejection and Thrive? Answers: https://lnkd.in/gdanvRZb #SmallBusinessStruggles #RejectionJourney #EntrepreneurLife Hey everyone! 👋 I just wanted to share a little bit about my journey as a small business owner and hear your thoughts. So, after leaving the corporate world (which, let’s face it, wasn’t the best fit for me), I dove into running my own marketing and social media biz for personal brands and startups. Honestly, the freedom felt amazing! 🙌 Initially, I landed my first few clients without a hitch, and it was such a confidence booster. But recently, as I’m trying to scale and reach out to new potential clients, I’ve hit a bit of a wall. 😔 Now, I'm constantly hearing, “I’ll keep you in mind.” Ugh! Those words are starting to wear me down. My confidence is wavering, and I find it tough to deal with rejection. I know, I know, it's all part of the game, but how do you pick yourself back up when you hear a “no” or a “not yet”? 🤷♂️ Here are a few things I think might help: Stay positive: Remember that a rejection doesn’t define your worth or abilities! Seek feedback: If someone says "not now," conside...

At 16, I started 2 businesses. Want to know my secret? I became addicted to working hard. Here's how you can do it too: Set Clear Goals → Without a target, you'll wander aimlessly. → Make your goals clear and actionable. Embrace the Grind → It's not always glamorous. → Sometimes it's late nights and early mornings. → But every hour counts. Celebrate Small Wins → Don't wait for the big achievements. → Recognize and celebrate the small victories along the way. Find Your Why → Why are you doing this? → What's your driving force? → Knowing this will keep you pushing forward. Surround Yourself with Hustlers → Your environment matters. → Be around people who inspire and challenge you. Never Stop Learning → The world of business is always changing. → Stay updated, keep learning, and adapt. Take Breaks → Burnout is real. → Rest and recharge when needed. → It's all part of the process. Remember: Every successful entrepreneur has a story of hard work. Yours is just beginning. What’s your next big goal? Share it in the comments and let’s keep each other accountable.

Are you carrying your cofounder’s load on your back? It’s fine for the first few minutes, or even days. But after months (or years) it starts to wear on you. Because it gets heavier. And you feel resentful. What’s worse, is your cofounder probably feels the same way you do! 🤦🏻♀️ You might be burdening each other in different ways, Believing you’re the only one feeling frustrated. …I am thinking of some co-founders I worked with who made each other CRAZY (and almost lost their business over it). They were talking about each other behind their backs, having emotional blow ups, and generally stewing together in a huge pot of drama. In the world of startups and partnerships you have to remember: You’re both trying to climb the same mountain. If you’re adding to your partner's burden- Instead of sharing it- Check your approach with the following awareness points: 👉🏼Clear Roles: Defining clear roles and responsibilities is the key to not stepping on each other's toes. 👉🏼Learn Their Signals: Pay attention to when the other is struggling to better read their non-verbal cues. Knowing when your cofounder is stressed, frustrated or feeling hurt will really come in handy - not to mention that it is better than being blindsided! 👉🏼Initiate Communication: No more silent treatment or guesswork. Agree to talk through issues to avoid letting things fester. 👉🏼Listen with Curiosity and Empathy: At first, agreeing is not your goal. Allow them to air their ideas without you policing them. Once both of you actually do feel heard, you can find the win/wins… 👉🏼Win/Win Solutions: Look for solutions that support the company and benefit each cofounder, that’s how you will keep that critical balance between you. If this sounds like you - and if your partnership could use a bag check… DM me the words "UNSTUCK ME" and I will help you lighten your load. #highperformance #cofounders #relationshiphacks #emotionalintelligence #eq

I looked at some of my best clients, and here's what I found in common. ❎ I've seen well-funded startups crash and burn.  ❎ I've seen brands with incredible products shut down.  ❎ I've seen companies with star-studded teams collapse. The common denominator in these failures? The founder wasn't invested enough in the brand. Now flip the script. My most successful clients are cut from a different cloth. ⚡ They're lightning fast.  ⚡ They're proactive, peppering me with questions, hungry to learn more.  ⚡ They're full of ideas, constantly innovating and taking action. In short, they have an ownership mindset. And it's contagious. I'm the kind of person who will move mountains to get you what you need. Because that energy is mutual. I've played many roles for my clients - business partner, strategist, and sometimes just a friend to help them through tough times. This approach isn't just a strategy. It's built into my business DNA. Here are the three core principles I've learned and built my business around: 1/ Honesty: No sugarcoating. No BS. Just straight talk. 2/ Transparency: You'll always know where we stand. No hidden agendas. 3/ Integrity: I do what I say. Every. Every. Time. Success isn't just about having a great product, a deep pocket, or a dream team. It's about working with people who are all in. That's what separates the survivors from the success stories. What's your take?

Let’s get real—running a business is about more than just a good idea. It’s about obsession. Not just any obsession, but the kind that keeps you up at night, dreaming and scheming. If you’re not living and breathing your venture, you might want to rethink your path. You don’t need to be the smartest in the room to make it big in business. What you really need is to trust your instincts and make decisions that feel right. I’ve learned that the hard way, and it’s paid off. Here’s something I’ve learned: if you can’t sell your vision, you can’t lead. It’s all about bringing everyone along with your story, making them see what you see. That’s how we achieve great things together. Who else feels this way? #RealTalk #ObsessedEntrepreneur #businessmindset

Let's Talk Starting a Venture that Makes You Smile😊 Running your own business isn't just about cash flow, it's about hitting that sweet spot of fulfillment, confidence, and unleashing your creative mojo. First up, nothing beats the buzz of seeing your ideas come to life. From late-night brainstorming sessions to watching your brainchild thrive, it's a rush like no other. Then there's confidence. When you're calling the shots and making moves, it's like you've got the cheat code to life. Suddenly, risks don't feel so risky anymore, and you start backing yourself in ways you never thought possible. And let's talk money. Sure, there's hustle involved, but knowing you're building your own financial fortress? That's the real deal. No more clock-watching or worrying about layoffs—just the freedom to chase your goals. Creativity? Running your own show is like being the master of your domain. No rules, no limits—just you, your ideas, and the power to make 'em happen. Whether you're cooking up killer campaigns or redesigning your brand, every day's a chance to flex those creative muscles. It's about taking control, chasing your dreams, and carving out your own path. Ready to step up and join the game? Let's make it happen! 💼💪 thefemalenetwork.com #EntrepreneurLife #GameChanger #OwnYourFuture #smallbusiness #women #femaleempowerment #business #skillsforlife #strategy #business #womenontop