The Collaboration That Made the Idea Better

When my Newsweek editor pushed me to add specific details to an essay about my husband's stroke, she helped me see that the moments I almost glossed over were actually the ones that brought the story to life. Her questions challenged me to go deeper, and the final piece was far stronger because of it.

One of the most transformative moments in my work came when I invited specialists and researchers from outside my own discipline into the development of our brain-based approach to early childhood education. They saw children through lenses I did not have, challenged me to look beyond how we teach to better understand how each child learns and develops, and helped strengthen a vision I could never have built alone: reaching every child, every day, every way.

I collaborated and confessed my sins of youth, and got my skeletons out of the closet on the road of redemption, I found myself again through southern baptism, education, religion, hard work, trials, tribulation, prayer and sin, but the good outweighs the bad so I cross-reference religion, education, mistakes, and business fundamentals, and stay true to my identity.

Teachers collaborate daily. Our purpose is to have all students succeed by teaching to their individual needs, interests, and connections to the real world. Teachers promote students' independence with the "I Can Theory." Discussions center around knowing students' habits, personality, and self-esteem influence the way lessons are presented.

In the past Pirate Industries LLC only taught classes in our store fronts or at special locations for holidays. After relocated to the east coast and reestablishing the company in the ren fair circuit coordinators started to reach out to me. On our website we promote some of the classes and events that we offer, well someone got the idea to inquire about teaching at these events. I loved the idea! I thought what a great way to share the knowledge! My first class was "Lets Talk about Tea!" at Shadow Bay Celtic Festival SC 2022. They are an amazing company who partners with Calebs Dragons Daydreams home for children (can't call them orphans). Well they reached out and asked if I would teach a class for the event and I jumped on it. Since then, I have collaborated with many different events to teach a class, do a sound bath, or offer a nature walk and point out flora.

Recently, I collaborated with talented stakeholders across education and support, whose varied perspectives challenged assumptions and turned a good concept into a more practical, inclusive experience for end users.

I wanted to improve my business website. A friend of mine happened to call to say he was starting a business to assist founders with their websites and online presence. We worked together for several weeks and launched the updated website. His approach worked well for me and now I have a much-improved website. Collaborating with someone who has different skill sets, is what made my website that much better.

One collaboration I will never forget was with the Bureau of Land Management. They initially brought me in to train their administrative professionals. After learning more about my approach, they asked me to stay an extra day to work with their chief on time management, work-life balance, and building a stronger partnership with their administrative support. That invitation expanded what I saw as possible for my business. Together, we examined their calendar, meeting commitments, and daily interruptions. We discussed which meetings truly needed their presence, where they could delegate, and how boundaries and time blocks could protect time for the work they were hired to do. What made this collaboration meaningful was their willingness to look at their own habits and make changes. They recognized that supporting administrative professionals also meant helping executives work more effectively. Later, I received an email with a message I have never forgotten: "Because of you, I have gone to my first baseball game." That moment showed me the personal impact of this work. Better systems could create room for someone to enjoy their life. Their invitation helped expand my training into helping executives work smarter, build stronger partnerships with their admins, and make time for what matters beyond work.