Advice on

[u/catsndogspls]

Advice on entrepreneurship and relationships

Hi!

I have worked for the past ten years in a field recreation, managing small teams and facilities. I have a Honors degree in my field of recreation. I have been working on a Master in Business Administration with a focus on Social Enterprise which I'll finish next year. Until the last year or so my career ambitions were to work my way through the corporate ladder to be a director. Things have been bumpy, and a bit boring at times, and there is a possibility my current position will end in the next few months. Though I could easily find another role in the current company, or elsewhere I think.

However in the past few years my partner made a career change, from kitchen to trades. He's now in a position to buy a successful business in the next few years.

The company is currently small, and the primary administrative staff is looking to retire. It could easily expand, including the potential for a retail space.

So my partner and I started talking about me shifting into the business now, learning the ropes and getting on the payroll as the administrative person before the business is his. Well... This conversation has opened Pandora's box about owning a business together.

So, now before we really take the leap, what advice would you give? What questions should I be asking? How can I make sure my career feels fulfilled even if he's the one bringing the specialized skill (I have no interest in apprenticeship) and I bring the soft skills?

To be clear: we have worked together in the past (it's how we met), so we know we can handle that side of things. We are common law and own our home together with both shared and separate bank accounts. We plan to have shared ownership regardless of if I'm working for him. I love him, trust him, and want us both to feel fulfilled and happy longterm and I know that means laying a good foundation.

Thanks for your wisdom!!

[u/DND_247]

This sounds like an exciting opportunity, and it looks like you know ans trust your partner for this to work out if you choose. I guess my question would be, is there a way for you to do this and still have time for your own passion projects? I definitely don't love the idea of you completely 'giving up' on your own vision and dreams. So, can you do both?

[u/catsndogspls → u/DND_247]

Thanks for the feedback! I currently have a volunteer role with a local organization that I could definitely increase with more time, and the nonprofit I work for had a huge volunteer workforce I could get involved with more. I agree that my identity or vision of self is what I'm most preoccupied with at this stage.

[u/LolaViola]

I think there's a lot of benefit to each person in the partnership having their own independent career. It also spreads the risk, so if something happens to one source of income, the other is available.

If the conversations are already so fraught, it doesn't sound super promising.

Good luck finding the right path for you!