Hey ,
Lately, I have been thinking a lot about collaboration and relationships.
A few days ago, I was talking with some friends and I mentioned something I once heard from a man of God. He said, “If everything you have, you bought it with your own money, then you are not exactly rich.” That stayed with me.
Because real wealth is not just about what you can pay for. It is about what is accessible to you because of relationships. It is about the doors that open because someone believes in you. It is about the opportunities you step into because you invested in people, not just transactions.
This generation talks a lot about collaboration, but the truth is that collaboration without investment is empty. Knowing people is not the same as investing in them. Saying “I know somebody” is not the same as standing by them, supporting them, showing up for them, pouring into them.
A few weeks ago, I spoke about building your own circle instead of trying to force your way into circles that already exist. I still stand by that. A lot of people are so focused on being seen with people who have already “blown”, people who are famous, wealthy, popular, influential, that they overlook the ones right beside them who are genuinely growing, grinding, learning, and becoming.
And the truth is… those people are on a journey. It is only a matter of time.
There are “new” friends and there are “old” friends. And old friends are gold. They are the ones who knew you before the progress, before the spotlight, before the applause. They saw your early stages. They stood with you when there was nothing impressive to see. Those relationships carry a different kind of weight.
If you really want strong collaborations in the future, you must start investing in people now.
Not when they finally “blow.”
Not when they already have something great to offer you.
But while they are still building.
Investment is not just financial. It is time. It is support. It is encouragement. It is loyalty. It is showing up. It is sending opportunities their way. It is connecting them to others. It is pouring into them without keeping score.
We see it a lot with skit makers, creators, founders, and businesses. A popular creator might collaborate with someone who is not as known yet. Why? Because they see something. They see potential. They see direction. And they say, “I want to be part of this person’s journey.”
That is real collaboration.
So my message today is simple:
Place more value on relationships.
Stop chasing “big names” and start cultivating real connections.
Invest in people before the world starts clapping for them.
Because one day, you will look around and realize…
The people you grew with are now the same people changing rooms you can walk into.
Your Fave,
Darasimi.
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