022: The Secret to a Strong Co-Founder Relationship: Trust, Communication, and Growth

Agency Darlings

In this episode, Meredith and Melissa dive deep into the core elements that make their co-founder relationship work. From how they balance each other’s strengths, keep everything transparent, and support each other in both good and tough times, they share what’s worked—and what hasn’t—on their journey. Building a business with a partner isn’t just about shared goals; it’s about building trust, clear communication, and knowing when to lean on each other. Whether you're thinking about starting a business with a partner or are already in one, this episode is packed with real-world advice and lessons learned that can help you scale your business successfully.

What to Expect in This Episode:

• Why trust and communication are the foundation of any successful co-founder relationship
• How transparency in finances and decisions creates a strong partnership
• The importance of complementary skills and how they fuel business growth
• What to look for (and avoid) when choosing a co-founder
• The lessons they’ve learned from their own partnership and how it’s shaped the success of Agency Darlings

Actionable Takeaways:

• Take time to build trust and make sure you and your co-founder are aligned on vision and values.
• Be transparent about finances, responsibilities, and business decisions—clear communication is key.
• Focus on complementary skills: make sure both partners bring something valuable to the table.
• Know your strengths, but be ready to lean on each other when needed—there’s no room for ego in a successful partnership.
• Before jumping into a co-founder relationship, ensure your goals and work ethics align for long-term success.

Real Talk Moments:

• Trust isn’t something that happens overnight—it’s built through consistent, open communication and shared values.
• Don’t rush into partnerships—take time to make sure you’re both aligned and committed.
• Transparency isn’t optional: being open about finances and decisions builds a stronger foundation and avoids costly mistakes down the road.
• Complementary skills are a game-changer. It’s not about being opposites; it’s about finding balance and filling in each other's gaps.

Show Quotes We Love:

• “The journey we are on, it's making us better. Overall, it's making us more like we have more authority in our space because we do this too, and because we're associated with each other.”
• “One plus one equals three—because it’s not just this thing that’s benefiting us, it’s benefiting the whole ecosystem of both of us as founders.”
• “What makes our relationship special is that we have very similar values, but we also push each other to new levels.”

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About Your Hosts:

Melissa Lohrer is the Founder of Waverly Ave Consulting, a Growth Consultancy for indie agencies. She partners with agency owners to create seven-figure growth through strategic repositioning, modern revenue models, and relationship-based sales. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Meredith Fennessy Witts is the Founder of Le Chéile, the go-to finance and strategy consultancy for creative agencies scaling beyond seven figures. She helps creative founders clarify their cash flow, restructure niche offers and pricing, and ensure they’re running a profitable business...in a mindful way. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram.