So I had this old friend.
He wanted to start a business and asked me to be a partner. I asked him why. He pretty much alluded to the success we’ve had with a project I’d helped him with previously. Though (to him) making me a partner made sense, to me it didn’t. However, at the same time… it kinda did.
Why it didn’t make sense to me is because:
1. I have no reason to go into business with him, as I don’t need his resources and can do whatever he brings to the table (on my own) AND better.
2. He is a “habitual line stepper” and the needed time to build his business is not there. So, it just isn’t worth the energy.
Why it did make sense to me is because:
I know my friend is crafty and only does things when he stands to benefit. So, I figure he already has an idea of how he wants to use me.
To HIM it made sense because:
He thought he could get free labor out of me and spy on, I mean learn how I put together business plans (among other things). Then claim 50% of the proceeds when he would have deserved less than 10% (if that close).
This reveals another reason I wouldn’t go into business with him: Character.
Case in point.
Exhibit A:
Several years ago, I helped him develop a product. The product could be considered volatile because the price of it is on a sliding scale. It sells from as little as $1 and can sometimes escalate to $100. That’s good money!
His problem was… poor (cheap) packaging.
Because of my part in the product’s creation, I hold a license to reproduce and distribute it. Which I have done a couple of times but, with premium packaging. The most I’m aware of him getting is $20 per unit. I’ve reached $100.
Why? You guessed it… Packaging. Presentation means a lot. It’s a tried and true method.
‘Til this day, he hasn’t taken the advice to upgrade the product’s packaging.
It’s hard to do business with people that cut corners and don’t listen to information THEY asked for.
Exhibit B:
Several months later… (after my friend ‘again’ asked for advice), I advised him to buy a dot com for his business and offered to build him a homepage. He immediately proceeded to buy the dot com then, call to tell me he did and would be hiring a web designer to build his site for him! What? Can you imagine the look on my face when he called to tell me that? All this, “after” he asked me to be a partner!
Clearly, this guy is in “The twilight zone”.
I imagine he is behaving in this way because I am a “friend”. Either he was totally oblivious to how insulting his actions were or “insert all other options here”.
Sometimes people don’t take their friends seriously because of all kinds of foolish reasons.
Those are not what I believe to be “friendly” characteristics. So let’s get this right…
He would rather pay a ‘stranger’ to build his home base, than to hire me (his “friend” that gives him free consultations) to do it for him???
As of publication, the construction of his website STILL hasn’t begun. Of course, he can’t turn back to me because… The deal is off the table (after that debacle).
All this, without being partners?
Just those two examples are enough for me to see (a partnership with this guy would be problematic ‘to say the least’).
Repeated examples of family and friends in violation of business etiquette prompts me to,
- Limit who knows the identity of some (if not all) of my business’.
- Limit my involvement when asked to do business related favors for family members and friends.
Sometimes it’s best to keep them separate.
People are unpredictable and can ruin what you’ve worked long and hard for, overnight!
A wise man told me… Never bite the hand that feeds you.
Perhaps, someone could tell this guy what that means?
In closing, the solution to that potential problem is to NOT go into business with him.
End of story!!!
