I work on my own. I spend a good portion of my day alone between my writing and design. Lately I’ve been partnering up with folks to get some outside interaction with my 224 Design branding and copywriting work. I’m doing it because I have this lovely wardrobe that often plays second fiddle to yoga pants. (Once, I even did a Skype video-conference wearing a professional top and my pink flannel PJ bottoms with little doggies on them. It was a low point, but one I use occasionally to gloat around friends who have eight-to-five jobs working for “the man.”)

Really though, I’ve begun collaborating because my work needs a jolt. After seven years of having my own design studio, and more recently adding “Author-Alone-in-Coffee-Shops” to my titles, the design work just seemed to be getting routine from the solidarity. I loathed the feeling of boredom, and my clients certainly don’t come to me for brands that are predictable.

Collaboration can be delightful. However, it really requires the ability to put “the way I always do it” on the back-burner and try something new with other creative people whom I trust. I know in the end “our projects” will be more effective for the client, and more rewarding for us both. I also know the folks at my local coffee shop will be happy not to see the yoga pants quite so often.

When was the last time you collaborated and how did it go?

The barista at my neighborhood coffee shop jokingly told me I'd have to pay $12 to fill up the mug I'd brought with me because it said "Starbucks" on it. I really only bought the mug because it had my birth year on it. Is Starbucks really 40?

1 Comment on Collaborative Caffeine

  1. Hi, Karen,

    I can identify with so much of what you say in this post! I’m in the midst of a ‘reinvention’ and collaboration is the primary driver. I can’t offer you much now except to say that I’m working on collaborating with several colleagues. So what I can offer is to keep you updated and invite you to travel with me along this journey of reinvention/transformation. I can post about my experiences as I go along. Does that work for you?

    So, for my first ‘post,’ I am currently in talks with an estate planning attorney to collaborate on a different way to set up trusts. As you know, I’m a consultant for families of wealth to help them heal their relationships around money so that the money can be utilized as a gift – for them and for the communities around them.

    Separating the American-fostered connection between love and money is a big goal of mine so that the money can be used for its best purposes rather than as a control mechanism. Such collaboration also fuels younger generations’ focus on philanthropy – an instrument I firmly believe will be the driver for broader wealth distribution over the next decade. There are other talks going on with other colleagues and I’ll keep you posted. Love the Starbucks cartoon!

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