Just Lost My 2nd Friend Because...

I have seen this happen many a time.

Someone once told me never to do business with friends or family. I guess outcomes like this would be the reason.

I have, however, tried to start up something with someone I barely knew and over the course of starting something up, we became really good friends.

Even though we could never get that project up and running, I still try to help him out whenever I can and he keeps asking me if I want to invest in projects he is involved with.

We have not had problems yet but I think its also because of the fact that at some point, one must have a degree of trust on the other person involved. Also, one cant let egos get in the way of business relationships either.

Maybe the next time (if there is a next time) you contemplate a similar relationship, you would want to be candid about the problems you have had in the past and the fears you have before coming to an agreement.

Just my $0.02

 

I actually have a cousin like you who showed me the way to Internet Business. I've learned a lot from him and now have my own home-based internet business. I appreciate everything he's done for me as he never asked for anything in return. He even let me sell the same products as him on eBay when we first started (he even provided me with the products)! We're now in different types of industries but even when we were competing he was helping and encouraging me. We still keep in touch and feeding off each other with ideas. It's a great relationship that I truly cherish.

It seems like you were just trying to be a good friend by showing them another way of making money besides the typical 9-5. It seems like the first friend took it very personal that his business didn't take off like he expected, maybe his expectations were too high? And when those expectations weren't met he sees you as the guy who sold him on a dream... but doesn't realize you were just trying to help.

Some people just take things too personal. I once offered to sell some products to a friend so that he can turn around and sell for some spending money. I didn't want to sell this product anymore as I was onto other things. I marked it up slightly and he agreed to purchase some to try out. Later on he finds out I offered the same thing to another friend (there were plenty to go around) and got really upset and started talking behind my back to other friends. Of course my other friends who know me well told me what the guy said. He never bought any but the 2nd friend did. After that incident I became very careful who I do business with... and it's been awkward with with the first guy.

When it comes to business/money and family/friends be very careful! Sometimes it could work, like with my cousin, and other times it can end friendships!

 

I feel your pain. I haven't been in that position but I just received a phonecall that I lost a dear friend of mine from overseas, so in a way we share the pain.

All the best, and I hope it will end better with you two.

Lex

 

Anytime mate

 

Money does funny things to people. Sad, but true.

Now, if you can help me make $4K a month profit, you'd never hear "boo" from me other than a big thanks! Business is business...you'll always have competition, and to me that's some of the fun. If it's your primary source of income, then I understand someone getting the wrong perception, but then you shouldn't be in business!

You should be commended for helping. Sucks that the end game was you lost a friend. Don't stop being a sharing person - the world needs as many kind people as it can get.

 

It happens unfortunately.

My dad's probably best friend worked for my dad for 10+ years before leaving abruptly to start his own business. My dad had asked him for years of him being interested in becoming a LLP.

It wasn't that this guy left my dad to open his own business, it was that he just up and left. He gave my dad warning, but with leaving the guy ended the friendship. My dad had no qualms with him leaving, he just didn't understand the need to end a 20+ year friendship. My dad will never admit it, but I know that it still bothers him greatly to this day.

 

I too have heard mixing business with friendship can be a dangerous combination. I guess occasionally it works out great, but sadly in cases like yours it didn't. I'm really sorry to hear about what happened.

 

I agree, but how much of a friendship could it have really been if he turned on you like that?

Heck, I'd be happy to add half that profit & sure wouldn't snap if it didn't quite work out...

 

In my experience when doing business with a friend one has to be able to either loose the money or the friendship (and maybe both) with no qualms.

 

It always seems to be the one on the receiving end of someone's hard work that thinks this friendship/business thing is a good idea. Generally they don't have much to lose and a lot to gain and couldn't really care what happens. If they really cared they wouldn't cross the line in the first place. Better to just say no unless you're desperate for some reason.

 

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I'm currently stuck at a crossroads as to whether to go into business with a few friends and stories such as these dissuade me from getting too involved in their idea.

On a side note...

I have looked into the internet marketing but am not sure where to start with it. If you have any suggestions or want to try helping an anonymous person instead of a friend I am sure many on here, including myself, would enjoy learning from your expertise.

 

A few friends? How many roles could a start-up possibly have? In my experience one ore two people will carry a lot of the weight while the others will enjoy the free ride. When the hard workers see this things will get ugly.

 

It normally works when one person is acting as a mentor and guides the other. Sorry it didn't work out with the two friends, but at least it worked out with two others.

 

I've distanced myself from people I know, but not from sour deals. It's the strangers I've dealt with that have turned bad if any.

Like Think and Grow Rich says, establish your 'mastermind' alliance. Who doesn't want a tight-knit group to work on business endeavors with through life?

In general, place a high guard on who you keep around. You can't soar with eagles if you're walking around with chickens...

 

When I started my business (photography) I learned real quick who my friends were and who out there is just looking to find ways to use their friends for their own gain.

My wife and I have lost 2 sets of friends to date ... good riddance to them both. Ungrateful biches.

 

This thread reminds me of there lyrics

Hey, Never mind what haters say, ignore them 'til they fade away
Amazing they ungrateful for after all the game I gave away
Safe to say I paved the way, for you cats to get paid today
You'd still be wasting days away, now had I never saved the day

Consider them my protégé, homage I think they should pay
Instead of being gracious, they violate in a major way
I never been a hater, still I love them in a crazy way
Some say they so yay and no they couldn't get work on Labor Day

 

What song/artist is that?

 

Live Your Life, by T.I., I think.

Mike

 

The two "friends" I have done business with I am no longer friends with either. The second of the two I will be seeing in court on Thursday, I sued him, another former employee and a former large client of mine. So I have learned, 1. If someone is truly your friend they will still be your friend after any issues and if they are not then they never were your friend. 2. Never do business with friends!

 

A guy I know had a business here with his friend. I don't know the full story but it ended that he packed his stuff and got out.
Now he's pissed at his friend, putting up all his savings and in talks with an investor right now to start exactly the same business 'to muscle him out'. What an Idiot, capital I. Rwanda is a very small country and almost everyone knows each other (business side of things).

He's going to lose all his money and piss off investors.

 

Thanks Mike.