Contracts, Custody & Communication: Lessons From Divorce That Save Your Business with Anna Krolikowska
Ever felt like breaking up with your business partner was harder than breaking up with a spouse? Yeah…you’re not alone. In this episode of Communication Queens, host Kimberly Spencer sits down with powerhouse divorce attorney, mediator, and Amazon bestselling author Anna Krolikowska, who knows a thing or two about breakups—both in the courtroom and the boardroom.
Anna opens up about her own “business divorce” after 12 years of building a successful law firm. Spoiler: it didn’t end in flames—it ended in friendship. How? By leaning on communication, clarity, and collaboration instead of chaos.
This conversation is a masterclass in transformational storytelling as strategy, as Kimberly and Anna unpack:
- How to navigate the emotions of divorce—personal or professional—without letting fear hijack your brain.
- Why transparency with money and roles is non-negotiable for successful business partnerships.
- The life-saving shift from “listening to respond” to “listening to understand.”
- How to safely share your divorce story publicly without impugning anyone’s character (and yes, the legal must-knows too).
Oh, and in case you thought this episode was all serious business—plot twist! Anna also reveals her upcoming children’s book series inspired by her clients’ families. Because resilience isn’t just for adults.
Whether you’re facing a breakup in love or in business, this episode will help you reframe endings into beginnings, and challenges into collaborations.
Your story has the power to save a life—or a business. This episode shows you how.
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Connect with Anna Krolikowska.
Website: https://annaklaw.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annakrolikowska/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annaklawchicago/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AttyKrolikowska/
Enjoy, sovereigns!
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or your other favorite podcast listening platform. You can also watch the episode on Youtube.
What You’ll Learn in this Episode:
- ✨ How to Navigate a Business Divorce Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Money)
What Anna’s own partnership breakup taught her about conscious uncoupling in business. - ✨ Why Business Partnerships Are Basically Marriages
And why you must define roles, money, and expectations before you “say I do” to a co-founder. - ✨ The Secret to Handling Conflict Like a Queen
Switching from listening to respond → listening to understand (a gamechanger for your business, relationships, and life). - ✨ How to Recognize and Regulate the Amygdala Hijack
So fear and emotions don’t run the show when things get heated. - ✨ Contracts Are Your BFF, Not Your Buzzkill
How to create agreements that protect your business, relationships, and reputation. - ✨ The Art of Sharing Your Story Safely
What you can (and can’t) say publicly about divorces or partnerships—without legal backlash. - ✨ How to Support Kids Through Divorce
The surprising way Anna is helping children navigate big transitions through her upcoming children’s book series. - ✨ Why Endings Aren’t Failures
They’re setups for your next empowered beginning—when handled with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
Quotes:
“Listen to understand rather than listen to respond.” - Anna Krolikowska
“Focus on facts, impact, growth, and journey when telling your story.” - Anna Krolikowska
“Transparency with money and roles is the foundation of any successful business partnership.” - Anna Krolikowska
Moments of Note:
00:00 – Welcome to Communication Queens
👑 Kimberly sets the stage: why storytelling isn’t just strategy, it’s survival—and how today’s conversation will change the way you see breakups in business.
02:00 – Business Partnerships = Marriage Without the Rings
Why starting a business partnership is like saying “I do”—and why you must have the hard conversations upfront.
05:00 – Anna’s Business Divorce Story (And Why It Ended in Friendship)
Anna shares her 12-year journey building a law firm and how she and her partner consciously uncoupled without court battles.
09:30 – The Power of Listening to Understand, Not Just Respond
The mindset shift that transforms divorces, business breakups, customer disputes—and literally every relationship you’ll ever have.
13:00 – Emotions, Fear, and the Amygdala Hijack
Why your brain short-circuits in conflict, how fear distorts communication, and what to do to regain clarity and control.
16:30 – Contracts Are Sexy (Here’s Why)
The truth about contracts: they’re not buzzkills, they’re freedom documents. How clear agreements protect both your business and your sanity.
20:00 – Storytelling Divorce Safely: How to Share Without Burning Bridges
Anna explains how to tell your story—personal or business—without opening yourself up to legal or emotional backlash.
25:00 – Domestic Violence, Safety, and Speaking Your Truth
Sensitive but necessary: why safety must come before storytelling, and resources for those navigating abusive situations.
29:30 – From Divorce Attorney to Children’s Book Author
The plot twist: Anna reveals her new children’s book series, inspired by helping families navigate divorce with compassion.
32:00 – Final Takeaways: Endings as Empowered Beginnings
Kimberly and Anna wrap with a queen-sized mic drop: how to approach contracts, communication, and conflict with confidence.
Transcript:
A full episode transcript can be found here.
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