Hi yall,

So I'm in a bit of a situation.

We are looking for leads for art and code, and this very talented guy applies for lead coder.

All goes as expected, until he drops a bombshell, asking to become a partner in the business. He tells us this in our 1st interview, and reiterates it in his 2nd interview, which took place last night.

Normally I'd be willing to hear him out, as due to a variety of situations, I am the sole owner, where there used to be a few of us.

I explain to him that the last partners were people I've known and worked with since 2014, 2015, and 2011.

I barely know this person, yet he is asking for a stake of the business.

This raises a few red flags in my mind.

He's suggesting we start a new entity, as he thinks that is the issue. Which may be part of it.

He's said he's started a dev studio before, but for some unsaid reasons it folded.

He also said he does have some art skills,

Another thing, is he asked for the resumes of everyone on the team, which I provided him.

The success of our current project may hinge on this, if we are to make our self imposed deadline.

The long term stability and power dynamic of my company also hangs in the balance.

I'm also getting the sense that as of right now, he has more disposable income than me, so things would shift his way.

But on the other hand, if he had what it takes to start and run his own studio, all by himself, he would have done so already.

What do yall think?

How should I approach this?

What would you do if you were in my situation?

GeneralJist said:
This raises a few red flags

No kidding. Just say no.

So, "No" means “no”

Sigh.

Gotta get used to saying that word.

I'm too nice.

Is this some sort of of profit share venture, or are you actually paying a competitive salary? Because in the former case, a full partnership is the least you could offer. Otherwise you're asking for someone to bear the full risk of being an entrepreneur without any of the benefits.

I'm not just saying “no” to partnership, I'm saying I need time to get to know you.

I'd think that is reasonable.

It's like what if a girl says she wants to marry you on the 1st and second dates?

GeneralJist said:
It's like what if a girl says she wants to marry you on the 1st and second dates?

Exactly. Walk away, dude.

I'll throw in a counterbalance here - if someone joins a project that currently generates no revenue, and is paying nothing or is paying very little, then it's very common for them to expect a share of ownership in the company in exchange for your work. That's how the startup system operates, and it's not unreasonable for people taking a risk on your project to expect to get a stake.

I think there's a wider problem here in that there's a sunk cost fallacy applying to this organisation which you want to call a ‘business’ but whose website clearly says ‘hobby’. You don't want to concede ownership or control because you've been part of it for a decade, but the organisation's practical position is more like one that's existed for a few months.

Kylotan said:
practical position is more like one that's existed for a few months.

Fake news!

Is this unpaid again? If so, I agree with Krylotan. If you want a real employee, there needs to be a salary. It seems to me this guy has impressed you enough that you didn't turn his partnership idea down outright. If he's so good, maybe a partnership is reasonable.

IMO there is no way you can deal with unpaid workers the same as you can with employees. The only people who will typically work under said conditions are very inexperienced people who are desperate to get their foot in the door and are unsure of their worth.

I'm curious, what are you providing to the project? Is it only management or are you going to be doing a significant part of the coding and art?