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Hiring Friends

Hi Everyone,
Have you ever hired a close friend or family member to help you with your new business? If so, did you have any luck, or was it a nightmare? I`d love to get some opinions on this.
Thanks!
Melanie
Have you ever hired a close friend or family member to help you with your new business? If so, did you have any luck, or was it a nightmare? I`d love to get some opinions on this.
Thanks!
Melanie
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Comments
My worst was tryhing to hire family, I would definately opt against sharing your business with any family other than you spouse and/or children. I`ve found that others will try to wrnech your business away from you based on their "life experience" or trying to "save you from a terrible mistake". Just my experiences, but, I`ve also had friends with similiar ones.
As far as friends, the biggest peoblem to overcome is, can they create a line and keep it wherein they say "Point A, I am your friend, Point B, I am your colleague", and not get those two points confused? I`ve lost a few friends due to their inability to keep these two points straight. I`ve also gained some, due to their ability to seperate those points, and help nourish a friendship from a business meeting.
I think the most direct advice I can give is:
1.) Don`t show preference, or give them a "special" chance/ leg up because they know you.
2.) Don`t treat them any different than you would anyone else you went into business with, and let them know you expect the same. (This includes titles and/or taking orders no matter if they are "above" you or not elsewhere.)
3.) Have a clearly defined job role, and stick to it. Don`t suprise them with suddent expectations, and don`t allow them to change their job role "because you love them" or are "buds".
Hope that helps -- it`s all I can think of right now.
Melanie
Like I said, I have been down that road before, with disasterous results... so I can see why they would be leary -- but I don`t think that most people would "get burned" and willingly open up for the same thing to happen again. I guess I`m just too trusting...lol
Thanks to everyone to gave me their thoughts on this,
Melanie
Having had experience with both family and friends and working with them, in the past, I would suggest NO! Don`t do it! I almost lost my relationship with my sister as she thought that being my sister she could "slide" as to not working all day as required.
My best friend Paul S. was aslo on the lazy side but also drank too much and thought he could get away with it being my best friend. He is no longer my best friend and I really hurt by what came about.
DON`T DO IT! It`s just not worth it.