When I first met him, I didn’t like him. He seemed cocky and arrogant—one of those people who command a room without trying. He was a natural leader, and people followed him. I didn’t trust it. But influence is a funny thing. You can resist it, or you can study it.

And I'm not gonna lie - I was fascinated by the guy. There was something about his quiet self-assuredness and confidence in himself that I liked.

I also have this habit of questioning why I don't like someone. I look immediately at what it is about them that is triggering something in me. And it's almost always about some insecurity I have around my own behaviour or lack of confidence. And nothing triggers insecurity and comparison-itis in me than a confident, driven man. I'm always working on this.

As he started his own business, we began grabbing coffee regularly. He’d ask my opinion on different challenges, and I’d offer insights. These casual chats became routine. No transactions. No expectations. Just two people discussing business and life over caffeine.

Over time, I started to see something I hadn’t noticed before—he wasn’t just confident; he was driven. His ability to push forward despite challenges was something I came to deeply respect. The arrogance I once perceived was, in reality, a quiet self-assurance built on years of hard work. As I spent more time around him, I realised that there was a lot I could learn from the way he approached life and business.

Collaboration Before Contracts

That’s when things started to shift. A joint event here. A collaborative social media post there. Then, a workshop together. Slowly, our coffee catch-ups turned into co-creating. It was never about money; it was about value. It became clear—we were stronger together than apart.

We eventually shared an office space, which led to even more collaborations. More projects. More ideas. More ways to help each other. It wasn’t forced. It wasn’t planned. It was simply the natural evolution of two people who respected each other’s work.

We discovered that our skills complemented each other in ways we hadn’t expected. Where I excelled in structure and planning, he thrived in adaptability and quick decision-making. When one of us hesitated, the other pushed forward. When one of us struggled, the other stepped in. Before long, we weren’t just collaborating—we were functioning like a team. The best part? It never felt like work.

The Multi-Month Test Run

By the time we committed to running an entire multi-month program together, the results spoke for themselves. The audience response was overwhelming. The partnership worked because it wasn’t built on contracts; it was built on trust. Not a single cent had exchanged hands beyond the occasional coffee, breakfast, or lunch. And yet, we were both profiting in ways that weren’t measured in dollars—yet.

We tested our ideas in different formats, tweaking and refining our approach. Some things worked. Some didn’t. But each step forward showed us that our instincts were correct. People responded to what we were building. More importantly, we realised that our trust in each other was well-placed. With every new challenge we tackled, our ability to problem-solve as a unit grew stronger.

This wasn’t a rushed decision. We allowed time to do its job, to see if what we had was sustainable. It was. There was no need for a grand gesture or an emotional sales pitch. We both knew where this was heading. And when the moment arrived, we moved forward with absolute certainty.

The Business of Friendship

Two years later, we’re making it official. A business built on mutual respect, shared ambition, and zero pressure. And to think, I almost let a first impression get in the way.

Friendship can turn into business. And first impressions can be misleading.

The biggest lesson I’ve taken from this journey is that real partnerships aren’t forced; they evolve. They aren’t based on what’s written in a contract but on what’s demonstrated in action. Every successful collaboration I’ve seen—whether in business, sports, or life—has been built on trust, patience, and an unspoken understanding that both sides are working toward something bigger than themselves.

It's almost like a romance or, in our case, a "bromance" built on a common core of wanting to leave the world in a better place than we found it. We both truly believe that, to give, is to gain.

It's not the same for everyone, but I tend to find that if I have a visceral reaction to someone, it's not intuition or some cosmic signal - it's me being threatened by something in the them that is also in me.

Plus, it's worth noting, that if you ever find yourself resisting someone because of an initial impression, it might be a good idea to take another look.

You might just be looking at your future business partner.

That’s it for this week. If you got value from this, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And if you’re ready to level up, I’ll see you at an event soon.