What a failed business partnership taught me about alignment

When I look back at the early stages of my business journey, I can say with absolute certainty: alignment is everything, writes Rosy McEvedy, Founder of IV League Drips and Academy by IV League.

In the beginning, like many ambitious entrepreneurs, I was hungry to succeed, willing to take risks, and eager to move fast. So when an opportunity came up to partner with someone, I jumped at it. On paper, it made sense. We had complementary skills and shared a vision — or so I thought. But I didn’t stop to ask the deeper questions: Do we truly want the same things long-term? Do our values align? How do we handle conflict under pressure?

I learned the hard way that if a business relationship isn’t built on alignment of purpose, values, and mindset, it will fall apart. And for us, it did.

The cracks that turned into chasms

At first, everything seemed fine. But when challenges arose such as staffing issues, financial strain, client concerns, it became clear we approached things differently. I’m relentlessly solutions-focused, committed to growth, self-development, and leading with purpose. I immersed myself in books, podcasts, and seminars, studying mentors like Grant Cardone and Gary Vee, rewiring my mindset daily.

Eventually, I had to make the difficult decision to part ways so I could build a business that could scale with integrity and build sustainable systems. So, I started from scratch, taking my years of experience in pharmacy and nursing to build IV League Drips, which became Australia’s first ever mobile Vitamin Infusion business, and today has more than 220 Licensees working in every state of Australia.

The biggest lesson: Purpose comes first

My first business partnership experience taught me that no amount of skill or ambition can make up for misaligned values and vision. You have to know your purpose and stick to it.

For me, Academy by IV League – our Licensee and training business – was created to make our services accessible, especially for nurses in rural and remote areas. I wanted it to be affordable, flexible, and empowering and I wanted to reach as many people as possible. That clarity guided every decision, including choosing a licensing model over a franchise, because I didn’t want to create barriers for people wanting to join our network.

When scaling, I knew I needed the right people around me: those aligned with my purpose, not just the business opportunity.

Building the licensing model took over 18 months. I studied successful businesses like Boost Juice and Laser Clinics, brought in experts, and took my time. I didn’t want to rush growth; I wanted to build something lasting.

Hire people you like

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that those closest to me in the business must deeply align with who I am. It’s not just about resumes or skills; it’s about personality, ethics, communication, and trust. We need mutual respect and the ability to solve problems together.

I need to feel safe with them, and they need to feel safe with me. Most importantly, I genuinely have to like them. It sounds simple, but it’s often overlooked. You spend so much time working together, so if there’s no personal connection or respect, it just won’t work. My biggest piece of advice when hiring is always: hire someone you actually like.

For staff who don’t work directly with me, what matters most is that they believe in what we do. Passion and purpose can’t be taught; they must be genuine. I’ve always believed that businesses driven by purpose over profit thrive longer. When my focus shifts purely to numbers, everything starts to unravel. But when the team and I share a greater mission, helping people grow, the business thrives.

Success often stems from deep alignment – shared values, trust, and genuine connection. Without this foundation, growth is fragile. But with it, a business can thrive and endure far beyond any challenge.

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