Why Friendship is a Tough Subject with Danielle Bayard Jackson

May 7

May 7 Why Friendship is a Tough Subject with Danielle Bayard Jackson

Creating strong friendships as an adult is something I have been thinking about a lot lately, and it seems like many, many other people are to. In the last few years, there have been books, studies, articles, podcast episodes- you name it- all trying to understand adult friendship. This topic got particular attention in the wake of lockdown, when across the US, employees of all kinds who made the necessary switch to working from home, well, stayed home. I’m sure many of you have heard about the “epidemic of loneliness.”

As owners of very small businesses where we are also often the one-and-only employee, solitude may not have been totally new for us when lockdown was put in place. Not to say small business owners are a necessarily lonely bunch, but I think many would agree that creating friendships and growing a community of peers can be more challenging outside of a big company or organization setting. That’s part of the reason why I created my membership program, Making Good Happen, to create a space for like-minded small business owners to swap ideas, share hardship, and rejoice in each other’s wins.

I’m not usually a big New Years resolution gal, but this year I did set the goal of spending more quality time with people in my small business community, not only online but in person. But let's face it, getting the ball rolling can feel a little awkward. That’s why I was so excited to chat with today’s guest, Danielle Bayard Jackson.

A certified friendship coach, Danielle teaches women how to make and maintain better friendships through research-based methodology. Since studying the ins and outs of female friendships, her teachings include how to solve common female friendship conflicts, creating connections with depth and closeness, and the impact of friendship on our physical, mental, and emotional health.

In this episode, we discussed:

Why it’s important to prioritize friendships
Why friendship is such a tough topic
How we know when it’s time to let a friendship go
Some of the coolest “outcomes” that people have experienced from investing in their friendships
Friendship and business! When it comes to friendships among small business owners, how to avoid letting things get messy but still enjoy the benefits of a good collaboration
And more

Links & resources mentioned: