The Magic of Collaboration: Sophie & Simone’s Story
Have you ever considered partnering up with another independent? Discover a collaboration that started within IMMA Collective
If you’re a solopreneur in the impact space, you’ve probably asked yourself: Would my business be better with a partner?
For Sophie Crowe and Simone O'Donovan, the answer wasn’t obvious—until it was.
What started as a casual connection in IMMA Collective turned into a thriving collaboration. Now, they’re navigating proposals, rejections, and wins together. This is their story.
How it all started
Some partnerships start with a formal agreement. This one started with a DM.
🎙️ Sophie: "So, I joined the Seed program and then moved into Nurture shortly after. That’s when I spotted this very cool person—Simone—also working in the social justice and climate space. She had this really slick website. We had a virtual coffee, and I found out she does stand-up comedy, lives in Berlin, and has the best dog ever.
But the real connection? It was over Real Housewives. For two people who love storytelling, there’s something about brain-rotting entertainment that’s oddly comforting.
A few weeks later, I came across a project that felt like it needed two brains. So I sent Simone a LinkedIn message: ‘Hey, do you fancy teaming up on this? No pressure if not.’ And she said yes."
🎙️ Simone:
"I was completely flattered when Sophie messaged me. It hadn’t even crossed my mind to ask her first, but I was so excited to jump in. The first project we applied for didn’t work out—but we just kept going."
Building Chemistry
Simone: "Sophie and I met during one of the calls at IMMA and quickly connected. I was honestly flattered when she approached me about collaborating.
What made it work so well is how naturally we complemented each other. A lot of our calls start with chatting, joking, or me showing her my dog. Then, we dive into business. It’s such a nice way to balance work, especially since we’re both working from home with our partners in the background.
I think that realness and openness set the tone for our partnership. We’ve been able to trust each other in ways that make our work together so much more fulfilling."
The role of failure
Failure is a natural part of business, but Sophie and Simone have reframed it as a learning opportunity.
🎙️ Sophie:
"We’ve lost more proposals than we’ve won. But the funny thing is, every ‘no’ made us more certain we wanted to keep working together. It became our testing ground. If we’d won one too early, we wouldn’t have had the space to refine how we collaborate."
🎙️ Simone:
"You really see someone’s true colors when you fail together. And every time, Sophie and I showed up for each other with even more enthusiasm."
How they navigate the logistics
One of the biggest questions about partnerships is how to manage the practicalities—finances, contracts, and responsibilities. For Sophie and Simone, trust is the foundation.
🎙️ Simone:
"We never really had a big conversation about liability or risk. We both trust that we’ll figure it out. When an RFP needed a UK-based lead, it was obvious Sophie would take that role. No debate, no ego—just what made sense."
🎙️ Sophie:
"I think a big reason we don’t struggle with fairness is that we both care deeply about social justice. That instinct for equity translates into our work dynamic. There’s no fear of ‘losing out’—we both see collaboration as an investment, not a compromise."
Advice for aspiring collaborators
What makes a partnership like Sophie and Simone’s thrive? Here’s what they shared:
🎙️ Sophie: "First, shift your mindset. Collaboration isn’t halving—it’s doubling. The more you work with others, the more your business will thrive.
Here is their advice:
✅ See collaboration as profitable—not just financially, but in creative energy, learning, and opportunity.
✅ Just ask. If you admire someone’s work, send a message. The worst they can say is no.
✅ Make it personal. Bring your full self—failures, frustrations, and all.
🎙️ Simone:
"Even if you can do a project alone, why not try it with someone else? Just send the message. You never know what could happen."
What’s next?
With proposals in progress and plans to meet in Berlin next year, Sophie and Simone are focusing on deepening their partnership and finding opportunities to connect with potential clients in person.
Sophie:
"Next year is about getting into the right rooms. We know our work comes from high-trust settings, so we’re prioritizing meeting people face-to-face, showing up at conferences, and figuring out where we can bring the most value."
They don’t know exactly where their collaboration will lead. But one thing is certain: it’s only just beginning.
📝 What’s a Clarity Circle? It’s a regular IMMA session where members bring their work-in-progress to get expert feedback, think aloud, and refine their ideas with the support of experienced peers.
📌 Thinking of partnering up? Here’s your sign to try it.
Interesting opportunities for you
We save our members countless hours by curating the best opportunities for indepdendents from over 150 job boards. Here’s a sneak peek for you:
🧑💻Climate Storytelling - Climate Story Unit
💰$125,000
🤝RFP/Tender
🗓️March 10, 2025
🧑💻2025 Biodiversity Conservation Grant program National Environmental Education Foundation
💰$75,000
🤝RFP/Tender
🗓️March 1, 2025
🧑💻Consultancy - Technical Analyst on Social Media Recommender Systems - Amnesty International
📍Remote
💰£300 (or equivalent) per day
🧑💻Third Party Risk Management Analyst - Volt
📍Remote
💰$40.00/hr +
🤝Contract
🧑💻Operations Manager
📍Remote
💰$36-50/hr
🧑💻Program Manager East Africa Forest Restoration Terraformation - Remote
💰$35 per hour
🤝Contract
🧑💻Content Lead - Who gives a crap
📍Remote
🤝Part-time
🧑💻Justice Collaborations Trustee - Justice Together
🗓️March 10, 2025
But what if you could stop chasing job posts and start attracting clients—proactively and authentically (no sales-y tactics required)?
Behind the scenes at IMMA
New date Thursday 6th of March: Want to use your voice in a way that feels authentic—not self-promotional?
We’ve got a free workshop with Alexandra Phipps, a brand expert for socially conscious leaders. Personal Brand Building for the Reluctant is perfect if you feel uncomfortable showing up and talking about yourself and your work. Sign up here for free.
A huge thank you to Sara Moosmair 💛 For the past three months, Sara has been an essential part of IMMA during her university internship. From client projects to helping relaunch Nurture, Nurture Light, and Seed, she’s contributed so much in such a short time. Good luck with your master’s thesis, and thank you for everything—you’ll be missed! (And Rio’s greetings too! 🐶)
After a big push comes the dip. That strange, frustrating space after a big relaunch. Tired, waiting for results, trusting the process. So, I’m taking a break in the mountains. Reset, then move forward. ⛰️ I wrote about it here.
Thanks for reading!
With you, always
Lilli
Love this story! Sophie and Simone are an awesome, wholesome team! Looking forward to seeing the impact you're having together