Subscribe Ask the Editors Search Entire site Smallbiz Bookstore Msg. I'm only half-kidding. The best way to ruin a friendship is to throw money into the mix, but at the time, I thought the only obstacle to starting my own business was that I had no working capital. Therefore, a friend with lots of cash handy and a higher credit limit seemed like the perfect partner for me. In addition, a partner who has been a partner before should let you talk to his prior partners.
Partnerships are a lot like getting married, including the high cost of breakup.
For example, your prospective partner is highly creative and loves impromptu meetings, where she shines. One of you is intuitive, the other a planner. While this may seem trivial, over time it will drive both of you to distraction. And so on. Partners inevitably disagree, whether it be about the direction of the company, how money is spent, or corporate culture issues.