When you’re starting a business, one of the major things that determines if it will be successful or not could be your business partner. Choosing the right person can bring you to higher levels of success than you would have achieved on your own. Choosing the wrong person can harm the business before it even gets off the ground.
So what should you look for in a potential business partner? Here are a few things to consider.
Previous experience
If you’ve never run a business before, it can help to find someone who has experience. He or she can help you avoid errors and make sure that the process runs smoothly. Someone who has already gone through the process of building a business from the ground up will have a better idea of what to expect.
Different skills
You also want to look for someone who has different skills than you. A chef who is starting a restaurant may be able to create terrific dishes, but they need someone who knows how to manage employees and run the legal aspects of the business. Two people who have the same set of skills aren’t going to bring as much to the table collectively.
Openness and honesty
Business partners need to be able to talk with each other about anything relating to the company. They need to be honest about their goals and what their vision is for the business. They need to be transparent about financial issues, such as how much each person is going to be paid or how ownership percentages are being divided.
If you do find the right business partner, it can still be wise to set up a partnership agreement. Be sure you know exactly what legal steps to take to get your business off the ground.
