Why I Don't Have A Business Partner Anymore

My grandfather used to say, a partnership should be made by an odd number of partner, and three are too much ;)

So cool "When I tell you my vision you get scared and I don’t have time to convince you"

"The only ship that doesn't sail is a partnership." —Dave Ramsey

I decided to put my apartment on on Air B&B a few years ago. Since I have anxiety and I'm not good around people, I asked my friend to partner with me. He would take care of all of the guests, and we would split the cleaning duties. The first month was fine. Then he said that he would just pay a cleaner to do his part of the cleaning, which was fine. Then he started going AWOL when guests were arriving, which meant I had to greet them and check them in. It was stressful at first, but after a while my anxiety subsided somewhat and I was confident enough to greet the guests. I would NEVER partner with anyone again. I realised I have to learn the skills required myself and get over any fears I may have.

This is true. I stopped collaborating with friends on a project as soon as I realized this.

I can't make partnership work either. The resentment thing is real if the other partner is not pulling their weight.

I’ve had partners on multiple ventures and everything that he said happens, happened. But on the flip side, I have seen partnerships work. I think he’s right when he says that it has a lot to do with your personality. Although, I think it also has a lot to do with the type of business you’re in.

This guy is a case study for many business owners, I work 70-80 hrs a week. Don’t tell me to take weekends off, I work when inspiration strikes and customers are buying.

“Learn how to fill your own hole.” I died.

That's so true, it is really hard even when freelancing, my clients suddenly become my friends and things become really difficult when it comes to making business decisions.

Thanks for your honesty. I'm tired of hearing others say that working alone is something stupid. I have wasted more time partnering with the wrong people than working on my own. Of course this depends on our personality, but beyond that, is so easy to fall in the trap scenario where you are carrying more weight than your partner, but the earnings, credit and rewards have have be split 50/50, because almost no one wants to partner with someone who is going to earn more than them.

I knew from Day 1 of December 2011 I didn't want a partner, and still feel that way in 2021 on my 10th agency anniversary!

What he's saying makes sense, it seems like it's best to partner up for a certain amount of time to get something done and then once it's done dissolve the partnership until you may need to partner again. Partnering up if at all should be super limited, that's really great advice.

Solid perspectives as usual Chris! Although I may be an anomaly to the topic, I partnered with my longtime friend for a wedding video company that ended great. We went strong for more than five years, traveling the world producing a few award-winning wedding films. Our talent, style and drive to succeed were equivalent and built off each other easily. Through the span of our company I got married, had kids and aspired to dig back into my graphic design roots and entered back into freelancing. My partner understood and I left the company willfully and amicably. He still shoots video and we are still good friends and talk often, literally like yesterday ;) Again, I'm sure I'm one of the few, but my friend/partner had a great run and plenty of memories to last a lifetime.

A partnership can work... I’ve been in partnership for years and it’s worked out. I will do any new business solo though because of course it’s good to be able to do whatever you want to do and keep more of the business profits. However, if your partner is bringing skills, assets or funding that’s critical to the business, then having a partner is simply practical.

Figured this out with my sister. Like Chris it's really hard to compromise. I want to move. Not be held back on the ground. I want to dream big. And even bigger. And work to that. Unfortunately my sis is the complete opposite. She first needs to figure herself out before she can commit to such a project. Great advice Chris. Incredibly valuable and wish I had this sooner

Or when you lack a certain skill - hire/pay/commission a professional! Establish relationships with 2-3 professionals/companies who are proficient in the areas you are lacking so that you can rely on the other if one is busy or unable to do your work. Calculate it in your bid and try to make it work.  I have a business background and am learning design because I was learning branding and marketing lol. I am testing the waters and I will decide where to get deeper and where to learn enough knowledge so that they don't treat me as a fool and rip me off when I am purchasing expertise. It is hard. It takes time. There is a lot to learn. BUT Taking it step by step helps and the confidence boost you get from knowing that you have knowledge in a previously dark area is amazing.  With this new knowledge, I managed to clarify what I want in the logo for my brand and why! And my designer was pleased and confident about it as well! Made her job easier!

Thanks for being humble and for sharing insights! Collaborations on specific projects may be an alternative, for example, for a potluck dinner, each of the dozen person bring their favorite dish so we learn and enjoy and benefit from people with different skills!

My dad told me to never sit down with anyone that you can't get up and leave sitting there without you...clients, family, or otherwise.

Self-awareness is on point here. " I work like an animal, like I work all the time. And not only do I work, I work smart, I work super efficiently, so that means that my output usually is 4x somebody else." - Chris is more advanced than most.