Chapter 3

Why Partner?

(from my upcoming book)

 

Indeed, why ask a partner to join you in your business?

Many of my clients, and before them, many of the founders I counseled, have assumed that they need a partner.  Even those who had lost money, endured sleepless nights, or otherwise suffered in previous startups that involved a partner seemed to still think that they needed a partner, in order to be successful.

I certainly identify with the assumption, and I myself had a partner for more than a decade continuously, and enjoyed it immensely while benefiting from it in myriad ways.  But that’s rare.  What seems to be the rule, not the exception, is ugly divorces.  Yes, not only did my partner and I come to a graceful conclusion, we’re still dear friends and would trust each other with our very lives.  How do you get one of those?  Well, we’ll talk about that…

First, let’s delve into why so many founders assume they need partners, or at least co-founders.  Then we’ll examine what is behind those “needs”.  We’ll finish up with some specific, concrete tools you can use if you’re thinking about a partner.

The Usual Suspects

Most of the entrepreneurs I meet who are looking for a partner, or have just recruited one, have done so because

[To be continued]