Collaboration Over Competition
The one thing Katy and I (Melanie) have learned over the past 8 years in business is that you can go far alone, but you can change the world with collaboration when you bring your gifts together.
Katy and I have been working together for the past 7 years and we have tried to do things on our own but when we put our minds together we can legit make this “hair stand up on your arms” impact!
We are constantly seeking out other incredible business owners that we can learn, grow and connect with!!! Collaboration is key!
We love listening to how others have built their own dreams and with every conversation we learn something new! It is so much fun.
If you are a business owner looking to expand outside of your own business bubble let’s chat about the power of connecting to amazing business owners!
We all want to win at life but nothing is better than getting to root for others to win as well!
We here at Chic encourage collaboration all the time and we do just the same!
It is time to stop competing and start working on collaboration!
Brea Schmitt, Owner of The Thinking Branch
Last year around this time we connected with two amazing ladies here in the Pittsburgh area. Brea Schmitt, owner of The Thinking Branch and a gifted photographer and Joy Holte, writer and network marketing business owner. We held our first local event called an Intentional Holiday Hustle. That was the start of an amazing partnership that led to Brea being the photographer behind our Chic brand.
Brea always exceeds our expectations when it comes to our branding sessions that we have with her. If you follow us on Instagram, she is the photographer behind almost all of your amazing images. She is incredible when it comes to capturing our Chic Influencer brand and really being able to bring those photos to life.
If you are local to Pittsburgh, learn more about Brea’s services here: https://photographybybrea.com/
Kathryn, Owner of The Loveliest
Just recently when we did our Summer photo-shoot for Chic and took pictures at The Loveliest Coffee + Clothes located in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. Check out The Loveliest here: https://www.theloveliest.co/ If you are local to the area and want instagrammable pictures, then friend this is the place to be!!
We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to meet with the owner Kathryn the day of the shoot and chat with her to hear how her dreams finally came to life.
Here is how Kathryn’s dreams came to life: “I got back from a year of traveling in January 2018 and I was spent. Physically, emotionally, and financially. My husband and I sold everything and took our 2 baby girls around the world. For an entire year.
I missed my old store Rosewood that I had closed. And I just found out I was pregnant with my third kid lol!
So the obvious choice then would be to open a bigger / better store immediately after giving birth. Wait, no? It’s not?
Am I 100% nuts?!! Not sure, how we did it, but we did.
So here’s the idea:
It’s about women. When I opened my first store in 2009, I thought it was about the clothes.
But I’m oh-so glad it’s about women — people. Because if you love them, they will lift you up. Women, mothers, daughters, college girls, babies, couples, and dogs. You’re ALL welcome!
That’s my job — convincing people that I and my store are for them. It’s not easy. It takes a lot of repeating. My new boutique/coffee shop concept is cool, sure. But without love for my customers, it’s not gonna work.
The store is called The Loveliest Coffee & Clothes — as in, You Are The Loveliest.
So stop in and grab a latte and “make it pretty”. You can use our coffee printer to print anything your heart desires on your latte, make your milk pink or add glitter! See more here instagram. And while sipping on your coffee you can pick out a cute outfit too! #cheatonthechain
SIP. SHOP. REPEAT.
X
Kathryn”
Collaboration is Key
If you are unsure of who to collaborate with locally in your area, you can begin to do so on social media. I share websites on my accounts that I love and ultimately WE ALL WIN!!!!
My point is this, social networking is meant to be SOCIAL. We are meant to network. So if you are only networking within your network you are limiting your potential!
Instead of competing against others, root for them!
Support them and cheer them on.
Let them know that you support them, so that they then support you too!
Life is better when we all are supporting each other and collaboration is happening!
We want to challenge you with the following:
-Who will you be collaborating with this week?
-What content have you created that did ok, that can be made great?
-What sites do you believe can benefit from your words, tag them!
We’d love to have you join our email list! We will send you weekly tips, motivation, and business information to help you grow and build your business! Join our email list HERE!
And if you’re looking for even more, we would love to have you inside of our Chic Community. Find out more HERE!
