I started a company and brought on a best friend about 2.5 years in. It was a terrible and costly mistake. The business continues to thrive, but our growth wa

I started a company and brought on a best friend about 2.5 years in. It was a terrible and costly mistake. The business continues to thrive, but our growth was considerably stunted for the year he was on board. I have a few theories for why it didn't work. I think it comes down to an expectation that, as a friend, normal work rules do not apply. This friend thought they could work on whatever was interesting (rather than what their job called for), and could flake or complain as a friend. Perhaps a more domineering personality than myself could crack-the-whip and force a person into their role, but then what's the point of the person being a friend? And is that a good use of a founder's time and energy? Arguing with and controlling a friend/employee? Nope. I have had much better luck hiring people I don't know and becoming their friend through work.