Over the years of starting, growing and exiting companies, I've learnt a few things about selecting the right business partners. Here are some of my best tips on finding and maintaining your business partners

2. “If you want to go fast, do it alone. If you want
to go far, do it with a team” - African Proverb

3. Before I was 30 years old, I…

4. Started an e-commerce store, exited it to a
private equity firm within two years

5. Started a marketing agency, grew it to over 50
staff in 6 countries, and eventually exited it
after six years

6. I managed to do this.... not just by myself

7. But I because I was lucky enough to have great
business partners

8. Partners that…

9. 1
Shared the same values with me
1.They all lived simply
2.They were all profit focused (instead of fund
raising or crazy about gaining status)
3.They had big hairy audacious goals for the business

10. 2
Complemented me in my skill-sets
One was focused on financials, another was taking
care of the sales and I could focus on operations

11. 3
I could hang out with over beers!
Being able to get along well with your partner is
important..And I mean, so well that, your partner
should be someone whom you can call out for beers
anytime

12. But working together wasn't always a bed of
roses.
My 5 biggest lessons to maintaining
relationships these partners are...

13. 1
Frequent communication
It's impossible to over-communicate with your
partners

14. 2
Being able to agree to disagree
“Ok, so we can’t agree on this right now…so let’s
just test both ideas first, and we’ll review later”

15. 3
Ensuring that they could get things DONE
Some people just prefer talking over working...

16. 4
Focused on growing the business
If you have a part-time partner, you will get part-
time results

17. 5
Always give them the better end of the deal
Think long-term…

18. So the next time you’re looking for a partner for
your start-up, seek these qualities…
1. They share the same values with you
2. They complement your skill-sets
3. You can call them out for beers anytime

19. And when you have an existing business partner,
remember these...
1. Frequently communicate with each other
2. Be able to agree to disagree
3. Get actual things done
4. Get them to focus on growing the business
5. Always give them the better end of the deal

20. Good luck in your search for your business
partner!
homarcus@gmail.com