You know that you want to find a business partner before you launch your company. You think that the company would be stronger and that a partner could help push you to a level of success you would not be able to achieve on your own.
But if you haven’t already identified who you want that business partner to be, what should you be looking for? What qualities should they have?
Complementary skills
To start with, it helps if they have skills that complement yours, rather than skills that overlap with yours. If you’re good at product design but not customer outreach, for instance, you want to find a business partner with excellent people skills who can connect with your intended audience.
Similar dedication
It’s also wise to find a business partner who is just as dedicated to the company as you are. You need someone who will work the same amount of hours, invest the same amount of money and generally feel driven toward mutual success. Otherwise, you may feel that you are doing the majority of the work in the partnership.
Industry connections
It always helps to be connected in your industry, so it may be beneficial to find a partner who knows others who work in a similar area. They may be able to help you network and grow the company by connecting with other business owners. This is especially helpful if you don’t naturally have those connections yourself.
Starting a new business is exciting, but it can also be a daunting task. Be sure you know exactly what legal steps to take.