How do we develop journals, so they are fit for an open future? We don’t just need to adapt our workflows and infrastructure, we also need to adapt our mindset. Evolution and Ecology is an open access journal, launched by multiple societies working together. Their philosophy and innovative mindset have helped them to succeed in the current market and to deliver for authors via their Refer & Transfer network. But it has also helped them to build the foundations for them to thrive in an open future.