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The problem is step number 4. Don’t do that. Don’t give your company away just so you have someone to share your burden. They aren’t you. They don’t have the sa

The problem is step number 4. Don’t do that. Don’t give your company away just so you have someone to share your burden. They aren’t you. They don’t have the same engagement. This, is why you fail. Instead, you should have just made them “in charge” of things and given them a larger salary. No ownership. No co-founder.

Pet_Ant 3y ago
Exactly. OP made him a "founder", but he wasn't a founder. Not in his heart. He played along for a while, but it wasn't in it. Founders need an attachment to their companies like it's their child... this was a step-parent, and not a good one. Now, the question is, why did you make someone who wasn't a co-founder, a co-founder? Was OP overwhelmed? Lonely? Lacked confidence? Wanted someone else to have the same level of attachment and passion for the company? Trying to trap/guilt them from leaving with the title? None of those justify the action. OP F-ed up here at #4. 1- not to diminish real step-parents, that step-up and put in the work, and earn it. Lucky to have met someone who did IRL.
ToucanLoucan 3y ago
I get the distinct vibe this person has never wanted to be a damn co-founder and instead was hounded into it by a friend who doesn't take no for an answer. In business, that can be a useful trait. In relationships, it's a death sentence. People like him are exhausting. If someone said "You still have an employee mindset" to me I don't think I could stop myself saying something like "that's all I wanted. I wanted work to do and a paycheck to get from it. You elevated me to a position I didn't want and are mad I don't want it."
- reactordev 3y ago
  There was definitely fault on both parties here. Instead of being honest. Doing what was best for the company. However, right out of college? Chalk it up to a learning experience and hit the bricks again after looking long and hard in the mirror. The guy's definitely got the mindset to build a company if that's what he wanted to do.

Pet_Ant 3y ago

Exactly. OP made him a "founder", but he wasn't a founder. Not in his heart. He played along for a while, but it wasn't in it. Founders need an attachment to their companies like it's their child... this was a step-parent, and not a good one. Now, the question is, why did you make someone who wasn't a co-founder, a co-founder? Was OP overwhelmed? Lonely? Lacked confidence? Wanted someone else to have the same level of attachment and passion for the company? Trying to trap/guilt them from leaving with the title? None of those justify the action. OP F-ed up here at #4. 1- not to diminish real step-parents, that step-up and put in the work, and earn it. Lucky to have met someone who did IRL.

ToucanLoucan 3y ago

I get the distinct vibe this person has never wanted to be a damn co-founder and instead was hounded into it by a friend who doesn't take no for an answer. In business, that can be a useful trait. In relationships, it's a death sentence. People like him are exhausting. If someone said "You still have an employee mindset" to me I don't think I could stop myself saying something like "that's all I wanted. I wanted work to do and a paycheck to get from it. You elevated me to a position I didn't want and are mad I don't want it."

reactordev 3y ago
There was definitely fault on both parties here. Instead of being honest. Doing what was best for the company. However, right out of college? Chalk it up to a learning experience and hit the bricks again after looking long and hard in the mirror. The guy's definitely got the mindset to build a company if that's what he wanted to do.