5 reasons to get a business partner

This post is part of a series celebrating SmartSign’s 15th Anniversary. In 15 posts, we reflect on lessons learned, good experiences, and company-wide changes that brought us to this milestone of success. You can view the entire series here.

Don’t go it alone. When starting a company, you’re likely to need all the help you can get, and quite simply, having a business partner allows you to do double the work.

Here are just five more reasons why having a business partner is essential.

1. While having a business partner means having to share profits, it also means splitting initial start-up costs and sharing risks, not to mention sharing the emotional strain of carrying out major financial decisions.
2. When you get a business partner, you also get a new network of potential connections and customers. Use them!
3. A partner brings better (or at least more) ideas. It’s true that two heads are better than one. Plus, having someone with a stake in the business to bounce ideas off of is invaluable.
4. This is also true of your partner’s sector knowledge and expertise. When choosing a business partner, look for someone whose knowledge and experience complement and expand upon your own.
5. Finally, if you choose the right business partner, you will have someone who possesses the skills you lack. If you’re great with numbers but not so great at pitching, partner up with someone who is!

While the benefits of a business partner are clear, finding the right business partner isn’t easy. In addition to meeting all of the above qualifications, make sure whoever you choose shares your values and goals.

Our founders, Blair Brewster and Bryan Bowers had more than just their alliterative names in common when they started SmartSign. They were both committed to providing customers with the innovative web design technology they created, and together they were able to turn SmartSign into one of the largest e-retailers in its space.

Tags: 15 years, business tips