How Emily Persky and Ingrid Hung Built I Have This Friend: Connecting Creatives to Clients through Friendship and Collaboration

In this interview with Emily Persky and Ingrid Hung, founders of I Have This Friend, we explore the power of friendship, creative collaboration, and entrepreneurship. Emily and Ingrid, best friends since 8th grade, have turned their long-standing bond into a thriving business that connects talented creatives with clients seeking their services.

The Power of Friendship and Co-Founding

Emily and Ingrid’s friendship dates back to middle school, where they first bonded while working on their high school yearbook. After college, they pursued different career paths—Emily in hospitality and Ingrid in tech—but their friendship remained a constant. The duo eventually realized there was a growing need to bridge the gap between talented creatives and individuals seeking creative services, and they launched I Have This Friend.

What sets them apart as co-founders is their intentional approach to balancing their personal friendship with the demands of running a business. They set clear boundaries and communication strategies, including a weekly emotional check-in and separating work and personal matters by using different messaging apps for each. This approach has allowed them to maintain both their business partnership and their personal connection.

From Newsletter to Thriving Business

Initially, I Have This Friend began as a newsletter showcasing their friends’ talents and services. Ingrid and Emily conducted surveys to gauge interest, and the concept quickly gained traction. A major turning point came when the brand went viral on TikTok just before Emily’s honeymoon. The unexpected surge in interest led them to quickly build a website and expand their team to handle the growing demand.

Today, I Have This Friend boasts a community of over 90,000 Instagram followers and continues to grow through a mix of events, experiences, and an ever-expanding network of creatives. By focusing on strong communication and intentional growth, Emily and Ingrid have created a supportive ecosystem that benefits both creatives and their clients.

Navigating Challenges and Growing Together

Emily and Ingrid credit their success to their communication strategies and commitment to maintaining their friendship. Co-founding a business is often challenging, especially when mixed with personal relationships, but they’ve found that setting boundaries has been crucial. By designating specific people to vent to about work and maintaining clear expectations, they’ve created a balance that has allowed them to navigate the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship.

Their advice to other entrepreneurs: prioritize open communication and take the time to nurture your relationships, both personal and professional. Success in business is often tied to the strength of the relationships behind it.

Building a Community for Creatives

At its core, I Have This Friend is about creating connections. Ingrid and Emily have carefully curated a community of creatives, offering a platform where individuals can showcase their skills and connect with clients. Through events and experiences, they foster an environment where creatives can network, collaborate, and grow their businesses.

The platform’s success on social media, particularly Instagram and TikTok, has been instrumental in expanding its reach. By staying true to their mission of promoting authentic, talented creatives, they’ve cultivated a following of individuals who trust their recommendations and actively engage with their platform.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

For aspiring entrepreneurs looking to co-found a business, Emily and Ingrid’s journey offers invaluable insights. They emphasize the importance of setting clear boundaries from the start and ensuring that both founders are aligned in their goals and expectations. They also advocate for staying nimble and ready to adapt—especially when faced with unexpected growth, as they experienced with their TikTok moment.

By combining friendship, communication, and a shared vision, Emily and Ingrid have created a business that not only serves clients but also uplifts creatives. Their story is a powerful example of how personal relationships, when handled with care and intentionality, can be the foundation for a successful, thriving business.

Conclusion

Emily Persky and Ingrid Hung’s journey with I Have This Friend showcases the power of friendship and collaboration in entrepreneurship. By focusing on genuine connections and clear communication, they’ve built a business that connects talented creatives with clients while maintaining their personal bond. Their experience offers a model for aspiring entrepreneurs, demonstrating how friendship and business can successfully coexist when approached with intentionality.

If you’re looking for a platform that supports creative talent and fosters meaningful connections, I Have This Friend is an inspiring example of what’s possible when friendship meets entrepreneurship.