Lemonade Communications: Building a Business on Collaboration, Authenticity, and Intention
When Emily Sollows first considered becoming an entrepreneur, she wasn’t convinced it was the right path, especially on her own. “I knew I wanted to start a business,” she says, “but what held me back was the fear of feeling isolated doing it alone.”
It was a conversation with a new friend and neighbor, Meghan Doucette, that shifted everything. “Meghan mentioned she wanted to start her own communications business. We discovered that our skill sets complemented each other perfectly and immediately started planning.” Their weekly Wednesday night meetings turned into a full-fledged partnership, culminating in the launch of Lemonade Communications in February 2024.
Since then, Lemonade Communications has carved out its space in the industry by prioritizing authenticity, creative freedom, and sustainable growth. From the beginning, the co-founders have been intentional about balancing ambition with well-being.
Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, Emily highlights that building her business has been just as much a path of personal growth as it has been one of professional advancement.
“Being an entrepreneur has led to so much growth and transformation, and only a small part of that has been professional,” she explains. “I started to see very clearly the personal growth I needed to do in order to be a better business owner and manage the first few years of entrepreneurship without compromising a work/life balance.”
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to approach the process with compassion and discernment: “Be gentle with yourself; entrepreneurship is so rewarding, but it can take a lot of energy.”
She adds, “You’re going to get a lot of advice from other entrepreneurs, and while it can be helpful, it won’t always align with how you want to run your business. Listen to your intuition; it’s rarely wrong.”
The support network provided by the Centre for Women in Business has helped Lemonade Communications feel more connected to the broader entrepreneurial community. “We enjoy attending events offered by the CWB, both virtual and in-person,” says Emily. “Having a network of other women entrepreneurs to check in with has been incredibly helpful for both personal and professional growth.”
As the communications landscape evolves rapidly with the rise of AI and automation, Lemonade Communications is staying true to its belief in human-centered messaging.
“People are busier than ever and are relying on AI to conceptualize their communications,” Emily says. “Everything is starting to sound, look, and feel the same. The businesses and organizations that are really standing out are using their unique voices, creating original content, and communicating from a place of authenticity.”
“There’s a shift across industries toward more organic and conversational styles of communication. People are craving connection and realness.”
Rather than chasing every new trend or marketing tactic, Lemonade Communications stays ahead by focusing inward. “We’re all about investing in our own professional and personal development,” Emily shares. “We take courses from educators who align with our values, attend meaningful conferences, and hire other service providers for fresh perspectives.”
She also challenges the notion that relevance comes from constant digital engagement. “We don’t subscribe to the notion that staying relevant in marketing means you need to keep your finger on the pulse of the industry, constantly consuming social media, emails, ads, and trends. We believe the best ideas come from rest, slowness, and time away from the noise. Go to the indie show at your community theatre. Read a weird book. Step away from the screen to weed your garden, guilt-free! It will lead to more inspiration and clarity than scrolling through Instagram or refreshing your inbox.”
As Lemonade Communications enters its second year, they are focused on refinement and alignment. “We now have a year’s worth of experience and data, so this year is all about refining our services to better reflect both our clients’ needs and what we truly enjoy doing,” says Emily.
The ultimate goal remains steady: “To financially support ourselves while balancing rest with the enjoyment we get from our work.”
In a world that often equates hustle with success, Lemonade Communications offers a refreshing reminder: businesses can thrive when they are rooted in collaboration, authenticity, and intention.
Learn more about Lemonade Communications here!