Business Balance: What Makes a Successful Business Partnership?

Jul 29 3:00 pm — 1:00 pm

Event Details

In this discussion, we’ll share candid insights from nearly five years as business partners. We’ll discuss how we’ve navigated major crises, turning points in the business and the practical tips we’ve learned along the way.

Topics covered:

  • The unexpected places you might find a potential cofounder or business partner in the first place, and how to think about who might be a good fit for your own working style.
  • How to communicate with your partner proactively, and why bringing in someone from the outside to help you talk through things might be the best decision you’ll make
  • Understanding what success looks like – because it’s not always about more $$$.
  • Making sure the business is working for you and how to identify when it’s not.
  • Navigating major business pivots and being able to accept the “seasons” in the business itself.

About the Instructors

Erin Simpson has 15 years of experience driving communications for startups and consumer brands, most notably as Lyft’s first comms hire. After joining as one of the  first 25 employees, Erin led all PR efforts for Lyft’s first three years, serving as company spokesperson and building out the communications org from scratch. Prior to Lyft, Erin held in-house communications roles at fast-growing companies including Benefit Cosmetics, JANUS et Cie, and Disney. Erin studied Psychology at UCLA and lives in Northern California with her husband, daughter and two cats. 

Erin First  has more than 10 years of experience helping consumer tech companies tell their stories in ever-evolving spaces. Prior to joining Brick Lane, Erin was the first communications hire at personal styling startup Stitch Fix. Erin started her career at leading PR agencies The OutCast Agency and Ogilvy, where she drove PR strategies for both emerging startups and big brands. Erin studied English at UC Santa Barbara and is based in the Bay Area with her husband and three cats.

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