Taking on a partner

[attention to details]

My partner and I started growing our lawn care business last year and have worked VERY hard at establishing a cust. base. We had someone working us that had their own equipment but no crew last summer. Well, about mid-summer at the hight of our cutting season they just up and quit the business leaving my partnr and I with more business then we could do. Now all the sudden this person is back and wanting to join forces. We could really use the extra help and equipment, plus this person is a FANTASTIC worker, and told us the personal issues that caused the dissaperence are resolved.
Any suggestions on how to handle this reunion?
Thanks.............A.K.A Keko

[pow]

Here's my philosphy on your situation.

Screw me once, shame on you. Screw me twice, shame on me!

[knowltondata]

No no no! like he just said... screw...

Where in Georgia are ya?

[attention to details]

No no no! like he just said... screw...

Where in Georgia are ya?

South of Atlanta in McDonough.
Thanks for the input!!!

[attention to details]

Here's my philosphy on your situation.

Screw me once, shame on you. Screw me twice, shame on me!

Yea, Kind of how I feel about it.Thanks for re-enforcement.

[Phil Nilsson]

The odds are greatly against a business partnership working ... estimated at perhaps 500 to 1.

[CleanCutMaint]

I HAD a partner.......not going to go through that again. Run your own operation, no need to confer with someone everytime you want to make a decision. It's tough right after the split but you have already went through that. You don't need him. If you need more equip. then get it (0% fin. still avail.) Do your best to find and train, train, train the best people you can. You won't regret it.

[blade2blade]

i second that. i just left partnership last yr. i'm goin' solo & starting from scratch. it feels great to be "your own boss."

[attention to details]

Man...I feel like a force of many with all this input and support. THANKS A MILLION. I hope to be able to pass it on someday.

A.K.A. Keko

[attention to details]

I HAD a partner.......not going to go through that again. Run your own operation, no need to confer with someone everytime you want to make a decision. It's tough right after the split but you have already went through that. You don't need him. If you need more equip. then get it (0% fin. still avail.) Do your best to find and train, train, train the best people you can. You won't regret it.

Thanks ,Makes alot of sence.

(0% fin. still avail.) How can I go about This?

[knowltondata]

South of Atlanta in McDonough.
Thanks for the input!!!

Did a lot of alarm work down there... I grew up in Gwinnett, just moved away from Athens...

Partnerships add so many variables to things... just think... as it is, you have the following:

You
Possibly your wife (not a good idea though)
Kids?

add a partner or two and you just multiply the variables...

People have mood/desision swings... add as few as possible into the mix!

[TLBerry]

I have a partner and yes it is my wife she owns 50% but in our business there is but one boss and that boss is me. Away from the business well there is but one boss in our marriage and I know who it is and it ain't me. It works out great for us.

[blesttt55]

if i read your post right, you stilkl have a partner? and the third guy wants back in now. twos bad enough and now you think about a third whos already done you wrong?
whos to say that he wont do it again. if you need him that bad, maybe you sub him some work. give him a set amount, and make some money off of him. if he balks at the idea just tell him it takes a long time to build trust and a whole two minutes to destroy it. if he says no, then no big deal.

[bmclouse]

I don't have partners I have employees. It's up to you but I wouldn't do it.

If you need some help hire someone you know or hope you can count on.

I don't hire any friends or friends family members. They tend to screw you and you will lose friendships over it.

[dwyman]

Don't do the partner thing. I've tried it as well and it didnt' work out. All I ever hear is don't take on a partner unless it is absolutely necessary. If your short on cashflow and have exhausted every resource, then maybe a silent partner. But you'll find out that he won't be so silent. Moral of the story: follow your dreams and use your own ambition. then there's only you to pat on the back or you to fall the blame on.