Welcome to the Friend Zone!

The Year of Showing Up—for Yourself, Your Work, and Your Relationships

Hi Friend,

A year ago, we stood at the edge of an idea. A vision that felt big, maybe even too big. Could we build something that truly mattered—a space where partnership leaders, GTM visionaries, and ambitious professionals could learn, grow, and connect in a way that wasn’t just transactional, but transformational?

We took a risk. We put ourselves out there. And what happened?

People showed up.

That’s the lesson that keeps coming back to us: success, whether in leadership, partnerships, or life isn’t about setting the perfect goal. It’s about how you show up every single day.


The Moment We’re In
The business world is shifting. Traditional sales motions aren’t enough. Leadership requires more than just strategy. Growth isn’t just about revenue—it’s about resilience, relationships, and the ability to adapt.

If you’re waiting for the right moment to level up, to invest in your network, to push yourself beyond what feels comfortable—let this be your sign:

The right moment is now.

This year, we’re not playing small. We’re going bigger, bolder, and deeper—together.

Here is what we’re thinking about in 2025:

Intentionality Over Hustle
Jason ran a 21 mile race across the ridge of the Rocky Mountains last year. It wasn’t just a personal challenge. It was a metaphor. You don’t just wake up one day and run 20 miles through the mountains. You train. You put in the work every day before anyone sees the results. That’s how leadership works, too. Who you become is shaped in the small, daily choices you make.

Great Partnerships Start With Whole People
Business isn’t just about deals, it’s about people. The best partnerships, the ones that drive real impact, happen when we bring our whole selves to the table. Not just the LinkedIn version of ourselves, but the real, honest, sometimes messy, always-growing version.

Momentum is Created by Action
Too often, we overanalyze. We wait for the perfect moment to start the thing, take the leap, send the email, ask for help. But confidence doesn’t come from thinking about doing something—it comes from doing it. So stop waiting. Make the move.

Can we hold you accountable?

Take five minutes today to answer these questions:

1. What does showing up look like for you this year?

2. Who are the people you need to invest in?

3. What’s the one bold move you’ve been putting off?

Take action. Make the call. Send the message. Step forward.

What to Expect from The Friend Zone
And by the way, welcome to our newsletter. This a space for high-impact conversations, big ideas, and real strategies to build better partnerships, better businesses, and better lives.

Here’s what you’ll get:

📩 Weekly Insights: Key takeaways from Friends with Benefits episodes, leadership lessons, and actionable ideas.

🎙 Behind-the-Scenes Access: Stories and strategies from top partnership and GTM leaders.

🚀 Opportunities to Grow & Connect: First dibs on events, community, and leadership gatherings like The Arcadia Leadership Experience.

This is your invitation to go all in.

📍 Want to be in the room where it happens? Apply to join the Arcadia Leadership Experience and surround yourself with the best in the business.

⭐ Love what you’re reading? Forward this to a friend, share it on LinkedIn, and leave a review for Friends with Benefits. Your voice helps us grow.

Here’s to a year of bold moves, real connections, and showing up in ways that change everything.

See you in The Friend Zone,

Sam & Jason