Advise for starting/becoming a partner/becoming a silent partner in a business

I'm guessing between $50k-$75k after a few years of experience in mid-level analyst type roles?

I'm thinking your on the right strategy. Look to change your current situation via smart alternatives. Can you get out of the cubicle with only a slight pay cut, or, can you make more money with similar effort to more adequately save for future opportunities. Can you determine if the Brother/Ron venture will move on without you (potentially succeeding or failing with or without your investment), or will they hold off until your ready?

In reply to SVreX:

You seem like your advocating for a small business owner to either A) go at it alone or B) have equal levels of knowledge or competency in the proposed business venture alongside peers.

Is that correct? You feel that Ron could be a Con and Brother could be a liability?

No.

Partners must all bring something to the table of value (though not necessarily equal).

Partners should have balanced risk.

Ron doesn't need anything at all from mtn or his brother.

Mtn and his brother are incapable of running this business without Ron, either corporately or individually.

Mtn and his brother bring very little to this venture that a business partner (other than Ron) would find valuable.

That puts Ron 100% in the control position, and mtn and his brother 100% in the risk position.

That's not a partnership.

Additionally though he hasn't discussed the business, the particular industry mtn is considering has a really high failure rate, and high potential for sketchy numbers. Mtn is approaching it smarter than many, but that doesn't put him in the drivers seat.

pheller wrote: In reply to SVreX: You seem like your advocating for a small business owner to either A) go at it alone or B) have equal levels of knowledge or competency in the proposed business venture alongside peers.

Not quite--he's asking what I bring to the table. They don't actually need me. My brother doesn't really bring anything to the table that is necessary for an owner, and neither do I. Ron has every ability to go it alone, so why would he bring my brother, and even moreso me, into the equation?

In reply to pheller:

Well, I have a bit of agreement with your last statement. Ron does concern me.

In reply to mtn:

I am really glad that's what you heard me say.

SVreX wrote: In reply to mtn: I am really glad that's what you heard me say.

That isn't all I've heard you say, obviously

In reply to mtn:

(hangs head in shame...)

In reply to SVreX:

You're a good dude for offering (or being forced) to be a mentor to us kids. Thanks.

mtn wrote: Not quite--he's asking what I bring to the table. They don't actually need me. My brother doesn't really bring anything to the table that is necessary for an owner, and neither do I. Ron has every ability to go it alone, so why would he bring my brother, and even moreso me, into the equation?

And the answers are?...

Driven5 wrote:

mtn wrote: Not quite--he's asking what I bring to the table. They don't actually need me. My brother doesn't really bring anything to the table that is necessary for an owner, and neither do I. Ron has every ability to go it alone, so why would he bring my brother, and even moreso me, into the equation?

And the answers are?...

To be determined.

pheller wrote: In reply to SVreX: You're a good dude for offering (or being forced) to be a mentor to us kids. Thanks.

I like you guys. Sometimes I talk too much.

mtn wrote:

Driven5 wrote:

mtn wrote: Not quite--he's asking what I bring to the table. They don't actually need me. My brother doesn't really bring anything to the table that is necessary for an owner, and neither do I. Ron has every ability to go it alone, so why would he bring my brother, and even moreso me, into the equation?

And the answers are?...

To be determined.

You bring money and your brother. Is money whats keeping Ron from making a crap ton of money in the business? Is the best business model one that involves trying to make 3 people rich? Most small businesses are considered a success if they can earn one person who is willing to dedicate every minute of their lift to the business a healthy income. Can it really support 3?

Driven5 wrote:

mtn wrote:

Driven5 wrote:

mtn wrote: Not quite--he's asking what I bring to the table. They don't actually need me. My brother doesn't really bring anything to the table that is necessary for an owner, and neither do I. Ron has every ability to go it alone, so why would he bring my brother, and even moreso me, into the equation?

And the answers are?...

To be determined.

red flags

Not necessarily... just that the explanation is more than I feel comfortable sharing here.

That and I'm running in about 15 different directions in my head, so there are 15 different explanations. Obviously not all good ones.