Is it okay to turn on your friends if it means improving your own life?

[njlonelydude]

I thought of an idea that has the potential to become profitable -- I hope to start my own company with this idea. I told two of my friends about his idea of mine and they both think it's got potential.

Now here's the problem: to them this is project is "just for fun," whereas I see this as possibly turning into a career. Because of that I'm willing to invest my own money, even get a business loan if I have to, for the purpose of expanding upon this idea. It's something very serious to me and I am willing to do what it takes to make sure it succeeds. I don't think these two feel the same way.

The nature of this idea makes it something so that I can't do it on my own -- it needs others to succeed. When I told my friends about it, they thought it was a good idea. But because they don't feel as serious about it as I do, I'm considering finding other people to get involved with.

But if I find other people to do it with, and not these two, I don't think they'd forgive me. Honestly, I'm not sure if I care anymore. I'm the kind of guy who would instantly quit my job if this thing became a success, whereas these two wouldn't take it that far because they'd always be worried about the chance that it fails. Neither of them will pay a dime towards this whereas I'm willing to invest a reasonable amount of money.

So, should I find serious people to get involved with and risk hurting my friendship; or do I not pitch this idea to anyone else and stick with these guys?

 

[Sterling]

Business is business. If you don't think they're all that serious about it, don't take the chance with them. Who says they won't get tired of the idea and quit here soon? Then you will diffidently need new people. And besides....if they're not too crazy about it now, I doubt they'll be hurt in the end. You will also need others to invest in it, not just you...or it probably will fail. Basically, go find some people who are pumped for your idea!

 

[Badjedidude]

Go for it.

If you want this to be a serious thing, then just be honest and tell them that. If they won't go along with you, tell them you're gonna do it on your own or with other partners. And then do it.

It's that simple.

If they get upset enough to ditch you because of something like this, then they aren't really very good friends, are they? **** 'em.

Good luck with it!

 

[freedom]

is it okay to turn on your "friends" if it means improving your own life?...

ABSOFREAKINGLUTELY!!!

dude, if you've got a great idea and you think it has the potential to make you some money, and your two friends who you thought you could count on to support you don't actually support you, then by all means choose two more people that wil support and help you. business is business, and the meek won't inherit the earth. the ambitious do.

not everyone will be as passionate about your idea as you are, and once you get your business up and running, not everyone is going to take care of it as well as you will. ditching your two friends on this is the best thing to do anyway, since their vision for your business isn't strong or inspired enough to make it work. they'll probably only slack off and fool around on your project and then expect to have the same payout as you. ****... that... ****!

when you do choose their replacements, make sure that you choose two people that see your vision as clearly as you and have fire for it like you.... but don't trust them! as donald trump sais, "hire the best people, but don't trust them". any investment is a risky venture, whether it's a paper asset, real estate, or a business. a business is especially risky though. i'm not trying to shoot your hopes down, but statistically, 1/10 businesses fail within the first five years of opening up. just keep that in mind.

one last thing. if you think that your friends won't forgive you for replacing them, then they're full of it because to them, this venture was going to be "just for fun" anyway. if they want to get all butt hurt because you didn't let them join you in what they thought would probably be a fun mamby pamby game, then they're not your real friends anyway.

i wish you the best and much success on your venture. GOOD LUCK!

 

[njlonelydude]

Yeah, you guys are absolutely right. The only reason I went to these with this idea is because they're my friends -- they don't have any particular talent that I'm really lacking.

I'll tell them what the deal is, and hopefully they're on board; but if not, it's time to find those who are just as passionate as I am.

Freedom, I get your post about being careful in trusting people when it comes to business -- I have trouble trusting people as it is (close friends really don't know much about me); so it will be a fun little game to play if this ever turns into a serious business.

The funny thing about all this is that one day I was bitching about my job to one of these friends, saying how I hated to be confined to a schedule. He told me, "If you want to have your own schedule you need to be your own boss -- you'll need to start your own business." So I come up with a ******* idea for one, and this clown doesn't have the same drive as me.

It's not like this idea is OMG AMAZING, but it's unique and has potential for growth. I believe it's a service that my demographic is willing to pay for, and eventually it can grow. My plan is to start small, and work my way up.

 

[VanillaCreme]

What's the idea? I'm lost. To me, it would depend. Would I just agree to do anything any of my friends said? No. But if it were something with a great idea, that I knew how to do and handle, I'd give it a go. Turning them on sounds like you want to make them prostitutes or something to me.

 

[njlonelydude]

What's the idea? I'm lost. To me, it would depend. Would I just agree to do anything any of my friends said? No. But if it were something with a great idea, that I knew how to do and handle, I'd give it a go. Turning them on sounds like you want to make them prostitutes or something to me.

Nope, I asked my friends first because we would all have equal input -- any profit we made would be split between the three of us.

I won't say what the idea is, but it's a media project. And it's a media project where the goal is profit and not necessarily "art."

 

[Nina]

If YOU'RE investing money then I think it's impairative you have the best folks behind you. I agree with others, approach your friends honestly and then move in the way you feel will benefit your chances for your potential business. If you're the only one investing then you need to call the shots. I also agree that if they can't see your reasoning then they aren't very good friends anyway.

 

[Lonesome Crow]

Don't sweat it...when your bussiness takes off. Theyll come around faster than you can say...
"**** You *******...I told it was going work..Now stand in line like the rest of *******
working for me"

mmm...sometimes you're not suppost to share your hopes and dreams with everybody becuase they'll give you
reasons and excuses why it can't work or happen.
Hell...you have millions of reasons running through your mind yourself why it might not.
YOu don't need anymore people telling you "U can"t. Hang with people that will support you.

 

[Brian]

My first advice to you is that friendship and business -rarely- mix well. I almost tried to start a wildfire contracting company with my best pal, but we decided mutually it wouldn't be a good idea, especially since I'd have to take on all the debt.

On the other hand, my previous boss was one of my best friends; that worked alright because of the lax nature of the company workplace (re: the woods), but also because we could both keep work and not-work separate.


I would explain the situation to your friends, and find some better business partners to get involved with who will be willing to go all the way with you. Otherwise you are crippling your efforts.

 

[Just_Some_Dude]

i don't agree with the premise of the question.

is it ok to "turn on your friends"?

of course not.

is it ok to start a business venture inspired by something another person you know may do?

abso-*******-lutely. this is america.

kinda missed your point through the dramatics.

 

[Minus]

i don't agree with the premise of the question.

is it ok to "turn on your friends"?

of course not.

Yeah, i don't see it as turning on friends either.

They don't have the start up capital, they don't have the dedication for more than a short run, they don't have a unique talent. I don't see why they should be selected as partners.

 

[Badjedidude]

i don't agree with the premise of the question.

is it ok to "turn on your friends"?

of course not.

is it ok to start a business venture inspired by something another person you know may do?

abso-*******-lutely. this is america.

kinda missed your point through the dramatics.

You're absolutely right.

Dumping a friend over something like this isn't even an option (unless the friend is seriously THAT upset about not being included in the business venture). If they're gonna be THAT pissy over something like this, then they aren't/shouldn't be your friends anyway. A real friend would maybe be kinda bummed that they aren't involved, but would still support you and ultimately wish you well.

*shrug*

 

[FreedomFromLiberty]

Yes. I've done it myself. About 5 years ago, I was decided to take a break from my friend, who I will call Steve. Me and Steve had been hanging out for years prior to that, but as the years had drawn on, I had begun feeling like it was a waste of my time. My own personal goals and ambitions mattered little if not at all to Steve, so I was feeling a little bit stifled. So we stopped hanging out so much until I eventually didn't see him at all for like 4 years. In that time, I've completed college, moved to another state, and have started a good-paying job. I've made a lot of progress. He has lost a lot of weight, learned how to treat people better, and has a long-term girlfriend. So in the end, I like to think that us going our separate ways for a while was beneficial to both of us.

If your friends truly are your friends, they will support you in what you want to do, and if that means looking elsewhere to get your business off the ground, they should at the very least understand where you're coming from. They don't have to be happy about it, but they shouldn't try to stop you either.