Is It Worth Doing a Co‑Production with Friends or Family?

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Introduction
 Working with people you know can feel like a shortcut—after all, there’s trust, access, and familiarity. But when it comes to launching a course, is it really a good idea? In this guide, we’ll explore whether it’s worth doing a co‑production with friends or family, and how to protect both your relationships and results.

The Pros of Co‑Producing with Friends or Family

1. Built-In Trust

  • You likely trust their intentions and know their personality
  • Faster decision-making, fewer formalities at first

2. Familiar Communication

  • You may already share communication styles and habits
  • Fewer meetings needed to “break the ice”

3. Natural Collaboration

  • There may already be mutual respect and complementary skills
  • Easier to brainstorm and discuss ideas freely

The Risks You Need to Consider

1. Blurred Boundaries

  • Friendship and business can conflict: hard to give feedback or set expectations
  • Personal dynamics might override rational decisions

2. Lack of Formal Agreements

  • Many friends skip contracts because “we trust each other”
  • This often leads to resentment or confusion about revenue splits, roles, and credit

3. Conflict Escalation Risk

  • If things go wrong, the emotional fallout can affect family gatherings, shared circles, or long-term friendships

4. Differing Commitment Levels

  • One person may treat it as a hobby, while the other sees it as a career move
  • Unequal effort creates tension and unmet expectations

How to Make It Work (If You Decide to Proceed)

1. Have a Serious Business Talk First

  • Discuss vision, revenue goals, task division, and availability
  • Be honest about what each person expects and fears

2. Write a Contract Anyway

  • Treat it like a normal business deal—even if it’s your best friend
  • Put everything in writing: roles, payment timelines, exit plan

3. Set Boundaries Clearly

  • Agree on “work mode” vs. “friend mode”
  • Create dedicated time and channels for launch talk only

4. Define Roles Based on Strengths

  • Don’t assume friendship equals compatibility—match roles to actual skills
  • Use tools like Trello or Notion to track progress professionally

5. Review Progress Together

  • Set bi-weekly or monthly reviews to check if both are still aligned
  • Celebrate wins, and be open to adjusting the agreement if needed

When to Avoid It

  • If past experiences have shown tension around money or shared decisions
  • If either party isn’t 100% committed to the project’s success
  • If communication styles regularly clash or lead to passive-aggressive behavior

Final Thoughts

So, is it worth doing a co‑production with friends or family? It can be—but only if both sides treat it like a real business. Structure, clarity, and boundaries are key. Don’t rely on love or loyalty to carry the launch—rely on mutual respect and smart planning.

Friendship should be strengthened by success—not broken by stress.

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