COACHING FOR COFOUNDERS TO REACH PURPOSEFUL ALIGNMENT
The cofounder relationship can make or break a startup. Grow your company, together.
Cofounder Clarity by Dr. Matthew Jones is a method of coaching that creates intentional time to discuss the underlying components of running a business, practice mindful decision-making, and proactively strengthen the most important relationship within the company.
“Over the course of six months, Matt completely re-engineered the relationship I had with my co-founder and people in general.
I entered the process with trepidation and skepticism, wanting to be right about the way I felt. Matt’s calm and reassuring style with follow-up notes made unlocking patterns easy to understand and practice.
Over the course of working with him, I applied his method to all parts of my life and can honestly say that it has been life changing for me. I cannot recommend him highly enough.”
Satish Jayakumar, COO & Cofounder of Increasingly
What you’ll build in sessions
✔ A custom framework for difficult conversations
✔ Better decision-making strategies
✔ Insight into the patterns that keep you stuck
✔ Personal and professional alignment
✔ Resilience in the face of stress
✔ Deeper understanding of your cofounder
✔ More effective communication
✔ Creativity and joy in your partnership
Want a sneak peek of what you’ll unlock as a client?
45 pages
9,000 words
15+ insights
3 powerful, actionable frameworks you can use to end unproductive arguments, TODAY.
Are you one of these 3 types of cofounders?
Ambitious (funded)
You understand your partnership is crucial to the success of your company
You value creating a cohesive organizational culture and refining your leadership
You want to strengthen your partnership before stress and scaling-related pressures increase after closing your Seed or Series A-C
Successful (revenue/traction)
You’ve built a successful business, whether bootstrapped or venture-backed, but notice more resentment towards one another than in the past
You avoid certain topics of discussion because you do not want to have the same repetitive disagreement
You have lost your energy and enthusiasm for working together and want to have fun again
Committed (friends/family)
You worry the ongoing stress of business disagreements will damage your personal relationship
Your personal relationship complicates your ability to provide open and honest feedback with one another and many of your thoughts go unspoken
Your professional arguments influence your personal relationship and vice-versa, leading you to feel stuck or suffocated
Then our coaching is built for you
because you value…
Integrity
You are on a mission to build a high-performing company you believe in
You understand personal growth impacts your professional achievement
You are a continual learner with endless curiosity
Commitment
You have clear goals for coaching and are invested in positive outcomes
You have engaged in coaching, therapy, or mentorship in the past
You value growth in all aspects of life and already exercise, meditate, or journal
Execution
You are ready to make lasting improvements in your cofounder partnership
You value radical candor and seek to infuse your partnership with honesty
You believe working through difficult times lead to extraordinary results
How it works
The Cofounder Clarity Coaching Method
The Cofounder Clarity Coaching Method leverages depth-psychology to deliver insight into the emotional component of business decisions.
Distinct from traditional couple’s therapy, which often excludes business, and business coaching, which often overlooks the impact of psychology, the Clarity Method was developed to empower cofounders to achieve maximum alignment through clearer conversations.
The Cofounder Levels Framework
Built on the psychological foundation of the Clarity Coaching Method, the Cofounder Levels Framework curriculum teaches cofounders how to change their communication patterns for optimal performance.
Want a sneak peek of what you’ll unlock as a client?
45 pages
9,000 words
15+ insights
3 powerful, actionable frameworks you can use to end unproductive arguments, TODAY.
Why should you invest in this process?
Investing in your cofounder partnership means enhancing the foundation of your company.
With 65% of high-growth startups ending due to cofounder fallout, the returns of coaching greatly outweigh the risks of not prioritizing your teamwork.
Our cofounder coaching program teaches you how to communicate with clarity so you can have more productive and efficient conversations.
Conflicts are inevitable, but learning how to navigate them well is the difference between great businesses and companies who never reach their full potential.
Whether you desire preventative maintenance, an active change, or a total transformation, Cofounder Clarity will improve the trajectory of your partnership and make your journey to success more enjoyable.
More Testimonials
“My co-founder and I sought counseling after months of feeling frustrated, unheard & misunderstood. Both of us communicated in extremely different ways and it was not only affecting all parts of the business but it was also ruining our friendship.
I couldn't be more grateful to have found Matt and Cofounder Clarity. He immediately made both my cofounder and I feel safe and understood.
Through our sessions, he helped us both understand how to better communicate and he helped us learn how to make space for each other so that we both feel understood and valued. After only a few sessions we noticed the tension was decreasing and we now had the tools to work through difficult topics.
I cannot recommend Matt enough to any cofounders who are having communication issues, disagreements or simply wanting to strengthen their relationship. Honestly it was some of the best money I have ever invested in my business.”
Cofounder and CEO, venture-backed startup
…
Cofounder Clarity is an invaluable resource. Matt has an unwavering ability to listen in-between the lines. He knows how to get to the heart of the matter - and help each parter better understand the issues, each other and themselves.”
Rha Goddess, Founder & CEO, Move The Crowd
…
”Cofounder therapy with Dr. Jones was just one of many risks we’ve taken to get better in life, business and beyond. His approach to reflection, emotional baggage, anger, and self-awareness proved to be immensely helpful. To be truthful, he saved our business and friendship.
With his support, we learned the importance of having difficult conversations, validating each other’s feelings, and listening with empathy. Most importantly, Dr. Matt’s Levels Framework helped us take the lessons learned in sessions and utilize them in both our business and personal lives—transcending what we thought was possible when we committed to his process.”
Jay and Latesha, Cofounders of Cards for All People
…
"My cofounder and I worked with Matt for about 9 months to identify negative patterns, build tools to communicate more effectively, and rebuild a foundation of trust. Matt provided a safe space for us to invest in our partnership and work on the parts that needed it most.
Matt listened, guided the conversation to keep it productive, gave us the space to struggle when needed, and provided firm, empathetic feedback to create change. Matt felt like a member of our team, which was exactly what we needed."
Cofounders, CEO and CTO of venture-backed startup
…
“When I found Cofounder Clarity, I was going through the most difficult time my Cofounder and I have experienced yet in our business.
Dr. Jones' approach of blending therapy and coaching was great for this first experience with my partner to equip us with good exercises and tools to communicate and understand each other better from here on out.
Working on our partnership relationship is the best investment to the foundation of our business. Highly recommend working with Dr. Jones to get clarity for your startup!”
Cofounder and CEO, venture-backed startup
…
“Matt has played an incredible part in my journey of growth and in improving my relationship with my cofounder. He has equipped me with tools to delve deeper into empathetic connection with others whilst also acknowledging myself and my needs. His style is kind, considered and clear. I feel compelled to listen and practice what he puts on the table. I couldn't recommend Matt enough."
Sri Sharma, CEO & Cofounder of Increasingly
…
“I do not think I would be standing as firmly on my feet today, had you and I not done the work we did over the 2 years we worked together. What you were able to help me see was tremendously helpful for my confidence and self-awareness, both personally and professionally.
I will be forever grateful for your approach to coaching and helping me see the necessary journey I needed to go on. It was hard for me to go that deep at times, but I now see how necessary it was. I have so much gratitude for your approach and what you were able to unlock for me!”
Nathalie Phillips, Senior Brand Director, Beam Suntory
…
“Having Dr. Matthew Jones onboard is a secret weapon.
It’s the difference between building a company unconsciously and ensuring every decision you make is moving you one step closer to the life you want for yourself.”
Cole and Drew, Cofounders of Digital Press
…
“We came to Matthew after encountering issues in our business due to the combined stress of the pandemic coupled with several years worth of unresolved issues coming to a head. Like many cofounders, we were friends first and business partners second, so the work-life balance was always difficult to achieve, including on an interpersonal level.
In the three months we worked together, we were able to gain some crucial communication tools that helped us on a practical level, like building more organized structures for operating. More importantly, it’s helped us de-escalate tension, convey empathy, and empower one another with more confidence.
As business owners, it’s been eye opening to discover that there are tools out there to help you build a better business and manage healthy relationships.”
Cofounder and CEO, venture-backed startup
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does this cost?
We charge a monthly investment based on our level of involvement, stage of company, and the type of engagement required to create meaningful change. This allows us to be fully invested and available before, during, and after sessions. Please see the program page for more information.
What can I expect sessions to look like?
Sessions are a collaborative effort. Founders determine their goals for the engagement, and we coach teams to these desired outcomes. We do not teach a preset curriculum—all interventions are customized to your unique circumstance and focus on changing core processes rather than superficial symptoms.
How long does it take to see results?
Some clients see results within the first session. On average, we recommend clients commit for a three month engagement as most individuals notice meaningful change in that amount of time. However, all contracts are month-to-month to allow for flexibility. Our typical engagements last between 6 and 12 months or longer, depending on goals, complexity, and goodness of fit.
How do I get the most out of our sessions?
The founders who get the most out of our sessions: Bring thoughts and feelings related to their goals into each session, take individual notes during session, and practice implementing skills outside of meetings. They also eliminate all distractions during sessions, embrace honesty and vulnerability, and leverage their curiosity to seek greater self-understanding.
Do you work with individuals?
Yes! Our coaches are experienced in working with solo founders, entrepreneurs, executives, and VC’s. Please let us know your goals and we will build you a custom solution!
Want tools to improve your communication?
Lesson 1: The 5 Most Common Cofounder Arguments
Lesson 2: The 10 Core Causes of Cofounder Conflict
Lesson 3: The Brutal Truth About Cofounder Conflict (No One Wants To Admit)
Lesson 4: The Solution To Stopping Unproductive Cofounder Arguments—The Levels Framework
Lesson 5: These 3 Skills Immediately Unlock Difficult Conversations For Founding Teams
Contact us if you want
✔ A custom framework for difficult conversations
✔ Better decision-making strategies
✔ Insight into the patterns that keep you stuck
✔ Personal and professional alignment
✔ Resilience in the face of stress
✔ Deeper understanding of your cofounder
✔ More effective communication
✔ Creativity and joy in your partnership