Posted by u/partner_question
Should I take on a partner?
Answered by Ask a Shop Owner ·
Friend wants to buy in and run operations. I run sales. Feels great in theory.
u/askashopowner Owner-business owner advisor
Top answer
Usually no. Partnerships fail more often than marriages, and they fail messy. Almost every I need a partner problem is really I need to hire an operations manager and pay them well.
If you still want a partner: no 50/50. One person has to be able to make the final call. 51/49 or 60/40 with a buy-sell agreement funded by life insurance from day one. Written by a real business attorney, not a template.
One year vesting on their equity, not day-one grant. If they leave in month 4, you do not want to fight over shares. This one clause has saved more business owner partnerships than any other.
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