Podcast Summary: Private Practice Startup Podcast

Episode 114: How Do You Choose an Amazing Business Partner?
Hosts: Dr. Kate Campbell & Katie Lemieux
Guest/Guest-Host: Amy Lasseter
Date: December 1, 2018

Episode Overview

This engaging episode explores the essential topic of how to choose and maintain a great business partnership, specifically in the mental health space. Flipping the script, guest Amy Lasseter interviews hosts Dr. Kate Campbell and Katie Lemieux about their own partnership, reflecting candidly on their journey, the challenges, the systems they built, and advice for therapists considering collaboration. The discussion offers honest insights, vulnerable stories, and practical strategies, all delivered in the show’s signature warm and humorous tone.

1. How Kate & Katie Met and Formed Their Partnership

[07:27 – 10:11]

• Origins: Katie and Kate met during licensure supervision in 2006 and continued in an AAMFT-approved supervision program.

  • They volunteered to resurrect their local Broward association for Marriage and Family Therapy chapter, discovering shared work ethic and teamwork.
  • “We realized how well we worked together as a team.” (Kate, 09:00)

• Initial Business Collaboration:

  • Started teaching the Florida Qualified Supervisor training after identifying a need for dynamic presenters.
  • Their side hustle shifted to a formal business as they saw growing opportunities and needs among therapists.

• Refocusing:

  • Their passion transitioned into helping private practitioners with branding and marketing—common weak spots for therapists.
  • “Clinicians really struggle the most with branding themselves and marketing their private practice. So that’s really become our niche.” (Kate, 09:44)

2. Lessons Learned About Themselves and Each Other

[11:29 – 14:34]

• Work Styles: Both hosts found themselves to be “doers”—highly motivated and hands-on, sometimes at the expense of big-picture thinking.

  • They intentionally check in and pull back to reassess priorities.
  • “We just jump right in and do things and we’ll just like tackle tasks and not really pick our heads up to look at the bigger vision.” (Kate, 11:41)
  • “[Partnership] is a constant evolution, stepping into things, looking at things.” (Katie, 12:44)

• Division of Labor:

  • Natural talents guide their roles: Kate does more tech work, Katie handles finances.
  • Effective, transparent communication is foundational, with regular updates to avoid surprises.

• Marriage Analogy:

  • “A business partner is a marriage, right? So we’re married. We are married. And we legally too, and we communicate really well, which is great. That’s definitely a strength of ours.” (Kate, 14:00)

3. Giving Feedback & Navigating Partnership Dynamics

[15:03 – 16:23]

• Open, direct feedback is accepted and expected—professionalism came first, friendship followed over time.
• They evaluate new opportunities critically, learning to say no and reassess as needed.
• “We both commit to it… If along the road, we’re like, ‘Damn, why do we do this?’ we’re like, okay, this is another learning lesson.” (Katie, 15:09)

4. Division of Labor & Evolution of Roles

[16:54 – 19:36]

• Natural evolution into their respected roles, with collaboration on major decisions.
• Systemization:
  • Outsourcing and creating systems reduces burnout, especially as their business has grown.
  • “I’m not building another website… We’ve outsourced that… Now, we can outsource and that’s really nice.” (Kate, 17:47)
  • “Our whole podcast system is like 35 plus steps… Now we just show up.” (Kate, 18:52)

5. Building & Prioritizing Systems

[19:36 – 22:39]

• Systems are critical to avoid decision fatigue and ensure business runs smoothly.
• Prioritize systemization for tasks that don’t require direct professional oversight (e.g., tech, marketing, admin).
• Leverage tech and create video walk-throughs so others can replicate and maintain processes.
• “When you can systemize and outsource things that an expert or professional doesn’t have to do, that's what you need to be doing.” (Katie, 21:00)

6. Navigating Finances Together

[23:52 – 29:31]

• Initial Phase: Easier since the business was a modest side hustle.

• Growth & Strategy: Leaned into the Profit First model for clarity and stability.

  • Katie naturally took on finances due to interest and skill, Kate (dyslexic and numbers-averse) was happy to delegate.

• Conflict & Vulnerability:

  • They recall their most significant conflict—a moment of anxiety and miscommunication about the business’s future direction.
  • “I left that meeting with, like, a ton of anxiety… She’s gonna jump ship on me.” (Kate, 26:58)
  • Kate shares she even cried about it at a restaurant, revealing deep investment in their partnership.
  • The challenge ultimately led to a major and positive business pivot, focusing on their shared passion and strengths.

7. Handling Emotional Realities & Personal Life Challenges

[29:43 – 36:17]

• Open communication about personal crises is essential—mutual respect for boundaries when one needs space or extra support.

  • “There’s a high level of support and checking in… we just know that it ebbs and flows.” (Katie, 31:16)
  • “There have been times where I haven’t been able to [be present] for short windows. And she’s just like, I got it. Do your thing. Take care of you.” (Kate, 33:30)

• Culture of Appreciation:

  • Praise, affirmation, and even small surprise gifts keep their “business marriage” healthy.
  • “One thing I’ve learned from Kate… he talks about her love language is words of affirmation… I need to beef up on this because I’m a straight shooter.” (Katie, 34:00)

• Self-Care:

  • Both rely on routines (reading, meditation, exercise, therapy) and healthy boundaries to sustain themselves across multiple business and personal commitments.

8. Advice for Aspiring Business Partners

[36:30 – 38:53]

• Date Before You Marry:

  • “Really think hard and ensure that you’re picking someone that has the quality and attributes that you’re going to mesh well with. It’s just like a relationship, you kind of want to date that person… are you guys sharing the same vision?” (Kate, 36:52)

• Talk About the End Before You Begin:

  • Create an explicit “prenup” or operating agreement covering business dissolution, division of assets, buy-outs, etc.
  • “You need to talk about how you’re going to dissolve the business… we talked about it, like, okay, well, what would that look like?” (Katie, 37:40)

• Boundaries Help:

  • Professional relationship first, friendship second, can clarify boundaries and roles.

• Security Through Clarity:

  • “It actually created a lot of security because everybody knows exactly what’s going to happen. And when you’re not feeling that anxiety, it allows you to rest and relax and trust a little bit more.” (Amy, 39:18)

9. Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Value of Systems:

  • “Our ability to move faster and learn faster is better with a partnership.” (Katie, 20:26)

• On Emotional Health in Business:

  • “Humaning is hard.” (Amy, 30:23)
  • “Chocolate.” [On coping!] (Kate, 30:23)

• On Business Partnerships as Marriages:

  • “A business partner is a marriage… and we communicate really well.” (Kate, 14:00)
  • “There’s never been tit for tat… We just know that it ebbs and flows.” (Katie, 31:17)

• On Self-Awareness:

  • “Frito Lay is not making cookies. Frito Lay just keeps making chips.” (Katie, 12:55; on sticking to core competencies)

10. Key Takeaways for Future Partners

• Choose your business partner with intention—shared values and vision are key.
• Communicate openly and professionally; build trust and appreciation deliberately.
• Invest time in systemization and play to each other’s strengths.
• Discuss and document practicalities, including eventual exits, before problems arise.
• Treat the partnership as you would any important relationship—support, boundaries, and care are crucial.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [07:27] – How Kate & Katie met and formed the business
• [11:29] – Lessons learned about themselves and each other
• [14:00] – The “business marriage” analogy
• [16:54] – Division of labor and evolution of roles
• [19:36] – Importance and process of systemization
• [23:52] – Navigating business finances and conflict story
• [29:43] – Handling emotions and life challenges in business
• [36:30] – Top advice for choosing an amazing business partner

This episode provides a rich and honest look behind the scenes of a successful business partnership, offering useful, actionable recommendations for anyone considering this path in private practice or beyond. The dynamic between Kate and Katie is illustrative, sincere, and full of laughter, making for an engaging listen (and a valuable summary)!