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0 pointspastor_elm7y ago0 comments

If you ever go into business with a friend, you should anticipate the worst. They're only human. You have to be on your toes from the start, and you can only blame yourself if you get beat or blindsided. At that point, its irrelevant to your friendship. It was just business.

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9 comments · 3 top-level

yesenadam7y ago· 5 in thread

I hope your friends read this! Sounds like you value money - just business - incomparably more than friendship. Why?!

coverband7y ago

I think you may be misreading the intent. I've also seen several friendships destroyed because of business disagreements. I take the message as "Don't get into business with friends if you value their friendship."

yesenadam7y ago

Replying also to the other comments: Ah thanks, yeah. I've painfully learnt not to lend/give friends money! It cost me a great friendship. But it wasn't deliberate on their part; I guess I read the GP as saying "Expect your friends to fuck you over, and that's ok/your own fault." I am familiar with the risk of business to friendship, but the GP seemed to be going somewhat further, although it seems ambiguous exactly what they're saying.

rectang7y ago

> Why?!

"I had some money and a friend. I lent my money to my friend. I lost my money... and my friend."

gonvaled7y ago

He's not talking about lending money. He is talking about a friend and business partner cutting you short out of your equity because you happen to be ill.

If your partner is not working, or working less, get the board to grant you a bonus, or an increase in your salary, or a decrease in his salary.

1 more reply

kolleykibber7y ago

pastor_elm is spot on. This is something most learn the hard way.

Aeolun7y ago· 1 in thread

I mean, if I’m in a business with my friend and he hasn’t been working on said business for 2 years, even though he has a bunch of equity, I’d also start to think about maybe making that situation a bit more fair.

Probably not without them involved, but you can at least discuss the possibility at some point.

gonvaled7y ago

Isn't that what salaries are for?

uiri7y ago

The problem with "it's not personal, it's just business" is that business is always personal.

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