I started my business at the age of 17 and I can say that you are not ready to form a partnership.
Please don’t think I am trying to be rude but it is extremely UNWISE to form any relationship with someone you do not know this quick in the game.
It sounds like you have already decided to do this but you will likely regret it in the future.
Jesse,
These are straight-up gold nuggets being handed to you from Mark, one of the masters on this forum.
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To ALL of the WCR family:
Sound advice and understandable reactions. Remember, Jesse stated that one of our members is the person who PM’d him. That means that there is automatically another side to this from within our own. I, for one, would like to hear that members’ take on this situation before passing judgement.
You do bring up a good point. This could be someone who posts regularly and some could vouch for him or he could be someone none of us knows. The original poster sounded like he was a bit weirded out by the PM so most of us went by that tone.
Agreed!
Jesse,
As a 41 year old person, Its hard not to pass judgment. There is something that just doesn’t sound right about a 40yr old wanting to partner with a 16yr old. I agree with Beautiful View’s post.
You are 16… this forum and the people here, IMO, are WAY far more valuable than a partnership with a MUCH older person.
You should seriously consider “partnering” with the WCRA Association… you will have TONS more to your advantage.
You have what it takes to do this, take care!
how do you send pm’s?
so i have a few differant thoughts so far keep in mind nothing is official. 1. what if i just flat out work for him like an employee no risks no contracts. 2. what if we dont form a partnership but we cover each other’s backs sometimes. 3. we follow thru with every thing and if it doesnt work we can always just back out.
so he said the reason he want to do this is because he coaches at 3 everyday and i get out of school at 3 so i can pick up where he left off and in the summer we can cover the whole valley and do work!
the things he has to bring to the table are tools expierance clients and he has been in the saint george market for 6 months so he knows whats up
the things i will bring are a few tools motivation to work and good people skills.
thanks mark ill send a pm as soon as i can figure it out!
Mimms(Jesse), from your description of things, it sounds like the only thing the other fellow has that you don’t are some clients. If you could get a handful of clients on your own for starters, you may view the allure of partnering up as completely unnecessary.
Maybe you feel some obligation? Be patient and take all the advice in before commiting.
BTW, if you go to a member’s post, just click on his name and the option to send a private message should appear.
I hope you are listening! No one here thinks this is a good idea. In the big picture-his six month head start in experience and marketing is nothing. We are impressed with you starting out so young and everyone who replied to your origional post only wants the best for you.
"Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise."
Pro 19:20
ok thanks i think we will end up just doing like a friendship cover your back kind of thing!
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]First, I’d like you to appreciate that it was a stroke of [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]genius[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana] on your part to bring this situation up on WCR. You will not only receive great window cleaning advise here, but, more often than not, great life advise. Cheers![/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]Secondly, I’d like to state that the info and advise below is not in any way meant to insult you or your age. I cannot express enough how much I am impressed that, [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]at such a young age, [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]you have chosen to set up an [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]independent[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana] means of taking care of your [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]financial[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana] future and also that you have understood the value of seeking advise.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]That being said, here are the pro’s and con’s to having any partnership with him, as I see them:[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]Pro’s:[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]-Window cleaning skills: You may learn some window cleaning skills from his, sure, but be advised that all window cleaners have their own way of doing things. Many guys have outdated and limited skills. Many have [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]ridiculous[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana] techniques that hurt their students more than helping them. You’re best bet is to learn from [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]multiply[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana] people or sources. If you come to WCR regularly, you will soak up info that no single window cleaner will ever teach you. Here you will always find new tools, new techniques, new technology, crazy experiences, legal must-knows, safety must-knows, awesome how-to videos, add-on services info, etc. Every active person on this forum has learned something. That being said, do not over-value this one man and his window cleaning skills. They really mean nothing[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana].[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]-He may have some interesting ideas. Interesting, but likely not unique. Send those ideas our way (or private message a few of us if you are scared that your ideas will be “stolen” by your local competition) and see how they taste in the mouths of experienced advertisers, business owners, and salemen. If you want interesting ideas, look on this site under advertising. If it works, it’s likely that we’ve tried it and have posted statistics and pricing. If you think we need to know your area to give you good marketing advise, you are mistaken. From fliers to website building, from door-to-door sales to phone sales, we’ve done it all.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]-Motivation: He may be a good motivator. But that isn’t a reason to partner up. Come here, read books, contact established businesses.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]Con’s:[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]-Bodily harm: Why would a 40 year old guy be interested in you? The only thing that would lower the weirdness is if he wants to hire you as his labor. But let’s be honest, that isn’t what he started out with. He didn’t just offer you a job. And even if he did, why would he chose to use an inexperienced 16 year old…You may not see yourself as that young, but I’m 27 and I see you as quite young. Imagine a 40 year old’s viewpoint. Maybe he is super cool and seems trustworthy, but looks can be deceiving. People should earn your trust. Do some sort of background check on him. Do you know his full name or his address? Does he have a vehicle or support himself? [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]-Loss of time: I’ve done networking and tried out business relationships many times, most turn of to be unprofitable. Promises are said that are not kept, enthusiasm wanes. Three companies that I met on this forum [/FONT][/COLOR][I]have[/I][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana] made me money. Try networking here or at least with established companies in your area. Newbies helping newbies is just not as good of game play as experienced ones helping newbies. In six months you will realize how inexperienced he is.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]-Loss of money: He obviously has no money of his own. Capital (a chunk of money) is many times the reason one guy wants to partner with another guy in the first place. One guy has cheddar, the other guy has something else of value. Your guy doesn’t have money [/FONT][/COLOR][I]or[/I][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana] much experience…[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]Partnerships are difficult, fake partnerships are even more difficult, not to mention distracting. Many partnerships end in a loss of client base. Many end in substantial [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]monetary[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana] loss. Many end with both parties wondering why they were ever partners in the first place.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]-Loss of control over your own business: He is older. He will not subject his business or personal habits to a 16 year old. That just won’t happen. Will he run with some of your ideas? Maybe. Will he always do what you think is best for the biz. No. If you network instead of partner, don’t mix your [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]businesses[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]. Keep your own money in your own pocket. Don’t ever give him any upfront money.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]-Loss of a great [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]head-start[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]: Use your youth to build up a company for yourself, not for a guy who wasn’t able to do it without you. It’s very difficult to do 50%. One person is almost always doing more than the other. [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]You are ahead of 99.9% of people on this forum when it comes to age at business beginning. Use your youth to experiment with your own ideas, not someone else’s.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]-He is not experienced: [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]He feels his best career move in to partner with an [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]inexperienced[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana] window cleaner. Your age aside, you do not have experience.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]Reasons to believe me:[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]-I started my business passing out fliers at 19 and now run a successful business that makes enough money to support my 4 member family. My guys and I have done work for mansions, restaurants, malls, [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]Hollywood[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana] sets, celebrity homes, high-rise buildings, convention centers, pro baseball parks, etc. I’ve learned a lot from local [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]networking[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana] and forum networking. [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]-I have nothing to gain in telling you to do something or not to do something. This forty year old does.[/FONT][/COLOR]
My opinion comes from a law enforcement back ground so maybe I took an extreme stance. I still think I would approach with a great deal of caution. This is not to say that the arrangement won’t work, but I still think I would keep my distance. Mark and Herschel make fair points. If he is a solid member of the forum, then I would like to see him come forward, explain himself and his intentions. Maybe have your mother sit in with the first meeting. You are a juvenile still and having your parents input would be appropriate. I can assume you might be embarrased to have a parent there, but if this guy is legit, he will respect you for being cautious.
I don’t know who the person that approached you is, but it sounds a little fishy to me.
First and foremost… a 16 year old can’t sign a binding contract in the United States.
EDIT: Do your own thing, play your cards right, and you’ll be swimming in money by your 18th birthday 
[COLOR=#333333]For setting up and running a profitable business, you can’t get any better than this forum. There’s not a single window cleaning business out there that could afford comparable business coaching.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#333333]And you mention a strong point for partnering up with this guy is to help you learn to clean windows. Well I’ll tell you what, since you’re 16 yrs old and sound like a real go getter, PM me your email address and I’ll send you a download link for my window cleaning instruction DVD for free. [/COLOR]
Right on, Mark. That’s what’s so cool about this site - fellow entrepreneurs helping each other out. There is so much business advice that is just predatory (those “systems” of how to make a million dollars in a year cleaning windows). A bunch of money for practically nothing. Good honest advice is often free or at least affordable. $30 for Mark’s DVD is not going to break the bank.
yeah i have thought about it more and more and i see more cons than pros
pros
faster work
4 eyes inspecting windows not just 2
cons
less money
split money in half
you have to agree with some one some one mentioned its like being married and i can agree with that. my dad has had 3 business partners and 1 of them was a lazy ass .
Mimms,
If my Dad had 3 business partners why wouldn’t I ask my Dad to be my partner, front me the money to get started, help me with all of the licensing, taxes, marketing, etc… the list goes on. I would not allow my 16 year old go into business with a 40 year old man no matter what was said at the meeting.
I have been in Business for 5 months and do not have enough work yet to hire a second employee to help me on my current jobs. Saint George is not that big of a town, very nice though. I live in the 7th largest city in the nation, think about it.
Go the the library and check out the E-myth, read it study it, follow the advice there (thanks WCRA and all of the posters for that sound advice to me) I have started to re-engineer my business to be a successful business, not just one to pay for my expenses.
Best of Luck
Jon Brown
Grime to Shine Window Cleaning
Glendale Az
480-729-0638
ok so i talked to
my parents
my business teacher
all you guys on the forum
and you guys are right i think im just going to talk to him via phone and tell him i wish him the best of luck and be on our seperate ways. i do think he has great intentions but i love money and when i have to split the money with someone else i dont want to do it. so im going to tell him we can still stay in contact and help each other here and there but i would like to stay in the "sole proprietor stage"
so i have 3 very interested people 2 of which im waiting to hear back from and 1 i need to make an appointment with but i think im "in business"
wish me luck and i cant thank mark enough i watched his video and i have a ton more confidence in the window washing career.
thanks mark for hooking me up i appreciate it.
and thanks all of you who gave me tips and ideas!
I don’t want to appear patronizing and money is important, but don’t forget to be 16 every now and then too
Jesse,
THIS is an excellent point by Phil. Not to mention that your parents will respect you for wanting to include them, because it shows them that you are thinking maturely about this venture.
Ahhh, then why not ask your father to be your business partner, as in a (somewhat) “silent” partner?? Meaning, you do ALL of the work. Not just the cleaning either. You research and gather together everything you need to make the company a legal entity: Forms, applications, licensing, insurance, etc… You do the marketing, scheduling, inventory control, etc… And then he is involved when needed, to sign whatever, to be the company’s “legal steward”. And perhaps the company pays him a small stipend for his part, so that he knows he isn’t working for charity.
Jesse,
Lets not forget why you wanted to go into business in the first place. For me it was a dream to be my own boss, to have the freedom of not working for nobody but my customers. If its JUST to make money then you can go to work for this guy or even your dad, but there is something to be proud of in being a business owner. Building something for yourself and your family and not for someone else’s family.
When I put my notice in last week so I can go full time in my window cleaning business, I was offered a management position with the company I am leaving. Which included insurance, 40% pay raise and responsible for 25-30 employees. I looked at my District Manager and ask if that all he was offering…he said that he forgot the retirment(401k). I look at him and give him a chuckle and said it wasn’t good enough. He asked what else do I need to stay and I told him that he couldn’t offer me a dream of being my own boss, he couldn’t offer me the freedoms of owning my own company. He was told by his boss that he had to try to keep me, but knowing that he couldn’t told me he envies me. This company that I am leaving is the main reason I started my own and after 5 years of just playing with it, I am taking the plunge by cutting my strings with no safety net.
I tell you this because I hope that you never ever loose the reason why you start your business. My was to see the face of my boss when I told him goodbye, and now after reading how great I can build my business from the people on this forum I am still excited because I have new goals.
Good luck, I do envy you for starting out so young.
Glad to hear you are going in for yourself. The best thing to do imo. I felt a little uneasy about the whole partnership idea. Land some work and build some knowledge, get faster with what you learn. When money starts coming in buy more tools that you need and know that you can put in use to make your job easier and quicker. Like others pointed out, it sounds like youre determined, use that and remember it when it may seem tough. As long as you want it enough and don’t quit, you will make something happen. I wish at 16 I had thought of doing this.
