How do I bring my friend into my business idea and make her a partner? What does being partners entail?
465114
HI.  I think you're off to a great start so far!  You'd be surprised as to how many people don't ask themselves and each other those same questions before starting a partnership/business.  What you have to do is take those questions and form a business plan that answers all of them and any more you come up with along the way.  A business plan will help you decide how you will split money, costs, responsibilities, and so much more.  I often tell people who want to start their own business that a business plan is great to have, but the best part is in creating one.  During that creation process you and your partners will "forecast" your needs and expectations which will act as a valuable guide down the line.  This way, you have your plan in writing and there is less of a chance for a "he said/ she said" type of conflict typical of a business where everyone just jumped in without anyone knowing what belongs to who or who does what.  \nTo answer your question more directly, you and your friend decide how it all works.  You can go 50-50, for example.  Or you can go 25-75 too.  It all depends on how much risk you want to both share or not share for that matter.  Obviously, if you put in 75% of the money for everyday costs, I would expect you'd want 75% of the profits.  However, it doesn't always have to be that way.  You can put in 75% (for example) of the startup costs but decide to split the profits 50-50.  Another consideration is a "buy-out" clause.  Should one of you decide that you no longer want to be part of the business, the other should have the option to buy out his or her partner.  It's all up to you and your partner.  Just make sure to put it in writing (in a contract, formal or informal), signed by all parties involved, and a couple of witnesses.  Include your full names, the dates, and your business plan.  This will not only help keep track of everyone's job descriptions, but will protect you and your partner in the long run.    \nGood luck and I wish you success!
569975
that's nice of you to do that. are you sure your friend won't mind a suprise ? some people don't care for them.\nfor a unique idea, have it someplace your friend will never ever think of. just have all her friends there and she'll be happy. like you could do it in bar and then when you bring her you could be all like, "just wait here for a second i have to pick up something" and leave her in the car and then come back and say "hey can you help me carry this?" and she comes in and everyones there ready to party !
852884
I do not understand why your friend would or should be involved in your business with your husband. Yes, your husband is correct, your friends need to mind their own business. God bless*
377194
Hi, I have no experience with this but I've found two sites that may help in starting up your business.\n\nGood luck!
336557
I MEAN I WANT TO OPEN A BUSINESS SOON AND I ALREADY HAD THE BUSINESS PLAN TOGETHER, I ALSO HAD THE APPLICATIONS AND MENU. I HAVE EVERYTHING BUT THE BUSINESS. I WAS LOOKING FOR A BUSINESS PARTNER BUT I STOPPED SO IF U ARE INTERESTED. LET ME KNOW...................
70090
Choose to add "present value" to your freind's daily life. Find out what their "current" needs and desires are and show interest in them. Be a good listener and always remember that successful relationships of any kind stay that way as long as it remains a "win-win" situation. Hope this helps...
1070090
First thing you need to do is put an "executive summary" of or your idea (or a more detailed "business plan") together.   It doesn't have to be anything crazy but it should cover the following topics:\n\n1) A general overview of the idea.  Basically, explain the business and describe why you think it is a good idea.  Include as much third party supporting evidence as possible.  You want to show that you (or your group) are not the only one who thinks this is a good idea.\n\n2) Backgrounds/Resumes of those involved.   Investors are investing in the people behind the idea as much as they are looking to invest in the idea itself.\n\n3) Planned Marketing Strategies (How are you going to attract customers?)\n\n4) Operation Summary.  Detail how you plan to operate your business.  \n\n5) How much are you willing to give up to someone who is willing to lend financial backing?  This can be a percentage of ownership in the company, interest on a more traditional loan, a revenue share opportunity, or any combination.\n\n6) Financial Projections (What are your start up costs? What will your monthly expenses be? Are you going to lease or buy equipment? How much revenue will you generate? etc).\n\nNow that you have your idea on paper, you can start looking for investors.  (Well, even if you have all the answers in your head, you can start talking to people.  But, at some point, they will more than likely want all of the above written out.)\n\nIn this case, I'd start talking to friends and family about the business.  You never know who might be interested.  Also, check with your local small business administration.  They can point you in the right direction regarding local investors.
1133720
I actually meet with another business owner on a weekly basis. We discuss our strategy and possible ways to grow our businesses. We set goals and review the following week always striving to strengthen all areas of  business. A life coach is a good idea but a relationship with a like minded person can also create exponential growth in the business arena.
16974
Your friend can send you an invitation to her 360 site and then you will be in her group of friends--thats how it works so email her and ask her to invite you!
763649
OK, do you really want to nock your brothers socks off?\n\nTry following some or all of this:\n\nAnytime you want to start any kind of business, there are several basics that you will need:\n\n* You should first sit down and think about what it is you want to do and then write out the scenario in detail!  This may sound tedious, but it will help you clarify what it is you are thinking about.  Also, when you talk to anyone about the business (mentor, bank, clients, prospective investor), you will have a clear vision to share with him or her.  You can check any number of books at your local library or the Internet for ideas on creating a business plan or goals list.\n\n* Is there anyone out there doing something like what you want to do already?  Can you research what it is that they do and maybe even talk with them about what they do?\n\n* Are there businesses out there that are doing some aspect that you want to do?  In this case, you want to create an online drop shipment business.  What websites have you seen that you like (can you talk with them)?  How does the local McDonalds or other retail outlet do business that might help you in yours (i.e. how is McDonalds able to provide a product to a customer on demand at almost anytime of day – and do it with a much of high school kids)?\n\n* Never listen to anyone who says that you CANNOT do something UNLESS they have been there and tried that!!!!!  Anyone can tell you the good things that you can try or do, however, only someone who has actually tried the specific thing your are thinking can truly give you advise on the pitfalls that could await the unsuspecting.\n\n* If you want to look for a mentor (free or paid – although mentors usually offer their time at no cost), the question that you should be ready to address is WIIFM (What In It For Me {the mentor})!  What are you willing to do for your mentor to help them with something that they may need (for me it’s simple – I am looking for 10 points :-)\n\n\nContacts:\n\n* Contact your local Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce – they have business people who will help start up operations.\n\n* Contact your local high school, community college or university and find out whom the teachers are for courses related to your business (like business or computer/internet classes).  Contact these teachers to get some ideas or even to see if they will take you company startup on as a class project or special project for some of the student to work on (might give the students extra credit and you a free startup).  In the worst case, you might get the names of some good students whom you might hire to do certain aspects of what you need at a very low cost.\n\n* Contact you local, county or state governments (check their websites) – many areas have small business administrations (or some other agency that can help with various things) that have any number of references and resources available at little or no cost.\n\n* Go to your local library in the Reference Section and find the Encyclopedia of Associations.  It is a three-book set published by Gale Research.  The first book lists thousands of tiles of professional organizations and groups.  It will give a code number to use in the other two books to find out more about that organization.  Contact the organizations who have something to do with your idea and find out if they have a services to give you advise or local groups that you can network with.  In many cases, just asking for membership and publications information may give you a lot of useful stuff.\n\n\nOther outstanding sources that I have used in running my four businesses:\n\n* Nightingale-Conant – the largest producer of audio/video training programs in the world.  Many of their programs can be borrowed for free from local libraries.  http://www.nightingale.com\n\n* Entrepreneur Magazine (http://www.entrepreneurmag.com) – many great tips and ideas about running a company.\n\n* Rich Dad Poor Dad - http://
315224
Sounds like your in for the first part! Yeah she is willing to be Friends.. now the slippery slope... dont be the Tutor when at the bar. Remember to show that you can have fun too. Take control, order the drinks, Grab her hand and take her on the dance floor. Be the man. \n\nYou dont want her to think... he's like a brother to me.... \n\nquestion really is ... is she in?
1034822
You first need someone to proofread for you.\n\nSecondarily, I would go to someone you know that has a small business / a MBA grad / friend of family to go over the feasibleness of your idea.  There are a lot of great ideas out there, but not all are practical to take to market.\n\nOnce you've been able to find out the practicality of your product/service, write out a business plan.  There are numerous templates on the web.  Do full research, and pull in any partners you may want to help you take this venture.  After that, then you start talking to people about funding your company....\n\nBut don't put the cart in front of the horse.  No one goes up to a bank/angel investor and says "I have this idea.  Give me money now."  It takes a lot of hard work to get to that point.  Take it from someone who knows ;)\n\nBest of luck!
1011925
You cant mate - in business its hard enough trustin people you know!! You will find out in life that the only person you can trust is YOU - and some people cant even do that!!!!!!.
547213
This may take some time and planning but I'm sure it would be worth it. Okay, first of all, the concept is basically a puzzle. You have to know where this person goes or at least hangs out. If you have this information, it makes life much easier.\n\nYou get a bunch of cue cards or poster board and write each word of the following question on them: "Will you go out with me"? So that's six different sheets of paper. The tricky part is the placement. What I would do is, put them along a hall way. When this person reads all of them, the last one will have your picture glued on it and a place where they can meet you. You could leave a number as well. \n\nOr you could just walk up to this person and say, "I'd like to go out with you as soon as possible". This would require some balls but it would be worth it.\n\nOr you could get six of your friends together, tell each one to say one of the following words in order: "will you go out with (your name)"? Get them to walk by this person, one after the other, each giving this person a rose when they walk by. That will commmand attention.\n\nIf this person doesn't know who you are or asks who you are, that would be your cue to pop out from some where with a rose and introduce yourself. \n\nWell, that was all could think of, off the top of my head. A little unconventional but it could work.
387571
A proposal to do what??  You probably need a friend or somebody in the US or EU to get you started in whatever you want to do.  Or spend some time over here til you get whatever going.
118390
I think what matters most is YOU. What may be a success for one could be a failure for another.\n\nI posted some articles/links to books about what's considered the best businesses to start.\n\nThink of all your interests & ask yourself if any of those could be expanded into a business. Just keep in mind...what's your expertise? What are your interests? What could you imagine yourself doing?\n\nThen, once you have some ideas, research, research, research. Check out the competition -- their business practices, pricing, customer service, etc. And also think about what you could offer to set yourself apart from these other companies. Check out the industry – is there a need for the services that you can offer? Check out costs of starting and if the possible ROI (return on investment) is going to be worth it for you.\n\nCheck the sources for some handy sites.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
446229
You said you had business cards made up.  Where or who did you hand those out to?  Hand them out to people you know through any social organization that you are a part of.  There should also be a local chapter for business women in your city where you can network.  Another way to pick up business is through word of mouth.  Something you could try is offering a discount or another incentive to your current clients if they refer someone to you.