Work with Optimistic Labs

The best work happens in community.

Whether you're ready to build a full practice, want to contribute your expertise on specific projects, or see an opportunity to create something together, there's a place for you here.

Two colleagues smiling and collaborating around a laptop in a bright office
Find your path

Two ways in. Both real.

There are two ways to engage with Optimistic Labs. They're not a hierarchy; each is a genuine and valued path. The right one depends on where you are, what you want to build, and how much you want to take on.

Project-based

Work on OL projects as a subcontractor

Contribute your skills on a project-by-project basis, with no overhead of building or running a practice of your own.

Best for

Subject matter experts, facilitators, researchers, writers, and strategists who want high-quality project work without leading a Lab.

Commitment

Varies by project: a single workshop, a multi-week engagement, or ongoing fractional support.

Compensation

Project-based or day-rate, scoped up front, with no long-term financial obligations or revenue sharing.

The work

Facilitation and workshops, research and analysis, strategic consulting, content development, writing, and more.

How it's structured

OL brings you in for specific projects where your expertise is the need. You deliver, get paid, no ongoing platform requirements.

A natural fit if you want to:
  • Stay independent while taking on mission-aligned, high-quality project work
  • Contribute without the responsibility of building or managing a Lab
  • Get a feel for OL before deciding if you want more
  • Bring specialized expertise to engagements where it's the need
Connect With Us →
Build a practice

Lead a Lab

Build your own practice inside a community of builders. You bring the expertise, vision, and relationships; we bring the brand, infrastructure, and a network building alongside you.

Best for

Practitioners ready to own a practice: launching something new or consolidating an existing consultancy into a platform with shared services and long-term upside.

Commitment

20 to 40 hours a week during the build phase; most Labs launch within 30 to 90 days of onboarding.

Compensation

A substantial percentage of direct client revenue, referral revenue from clients sent to other Labs, and profit-sharing via equity or distributions.

The work

Client consulting, community building, IP development, and cross-Lab collaboration, under your Lab's brand and focus area.

How it's structured

You define your Lab's vision and offerings; OL provides brand, legal, financial, and operational infrastructure. Existing contracts and content stay fully yours.

This is a fit if:
  • You want to build something of your own but don't want to build it alone
  • You're energized by community and see peer relationships as part of the value
  • You have a clear domain, a point of view, and clients or relationships to build from
  • You want long-term upside, not just project income, and will invest in building toward it
Take the fit quiz → Learn more about leading a Lab →

Wherever you're starting from, the first step is the same.

Some people come to Optimistic Labs knowing exactly what they want to build. Others are curious, mid-transition, or just starting to ask the question. All of that is welcome. The conversation is low-stakes and high-value.

Connect With Us →