Would you start a business with a Republican as your business partner?

[begin_within]

I am considering doing this, he's a friend I have known for 15 years, and even though he's a hard-core Republican, NRA member, that kind of thing, he has always treated me with kindness and respect. He knows I'm a liberal and only rarely mentions it. Only a couple of times during the Clinton era did he make remarks about Clinton and jokingly made fun of me for voting for him in 1992. The rest of the time he doesn't say much political, and if he does I don't respond at all and just let the subject evaporate. As far as business, though, he is the perfect person for me to start this particular business with and I trust him. The thing is, he has political beliefs that are diametrically opposed to mine. It's like starting a business with someone of a different religion. What do you think? Have you ever been in this kind of quandary?

[Throd]

1. I have that quandry a lot

I am a freelance designer with a roster of clients who seem to run the gamut from John Birch Republicans to Shining Path Maoists. I'm sure some of my more rightwing clients think I'm a commie bitch and the leftwing ones think I'm a nazi stooge. I give ALL my clients exemplary service regardless of their political leanings because it is good for business. None of them have ever asked me to compromise my morals or do anything unethical during the course of my duties, so I see no reason to disengage with any of them. That said, I probably have an inch thick layer of scar tissue inside my mouth from all the times I have had to bite my tongue. Remember, people who are political 100% of the time are boring, boring, boring.

[begin_within]

2. Thanks

[XemaSab]

4. Oh, you went to Iowa for the primaries too!

:hide:

[NV Whino]

6. I, too am self employed

(sometimes as a designer) and my clients run the gamut of political beliefs. However, freelance is a lot different that partnering a business with someone.

[democracyindanger]

3. For me the issue would be less that he's a Republican

and more that he's a friend. Mixing friends and money is a tricky thing.

[NV Whino]

5. Not these days.

In better times, yes.

[rug]

7. No.

If you succeed you will eventually hire workers. And there the trouble will begin.

[begin_within]

9. He did make one comment about hiring "dyno-babes"

[rug]

11. Wait till somebody mentions Family Leave.

[Kerrytravelers]

14. This is what I was thinking.

Would he be for worker benefits? Family Leave... this kind of thing? What about politics coming into the office... ie during campaign, we often phone banked from offices (lawyers, doctors, etc...) Would he bring in rethugs? Yuck. Also, depending upon your business type, would he be against unions? That might be a problem. Does he listen to rw talking all day on the radio? What if you want to listen to Air America or another station that doesn't favor his beliefs?

Plus, mixing money and friends can be very, very risky.

[liberalitch]

8. No

[Beware the Beast Man]

10. If your business methods click, then yes.

I don't buy into this "shunning all people who have a differing political opinion from mine" jive. Unless he is a completely repugnant asshole (which it sounds like he isn't), I say go for it.

[bbinacan]

12. The most important thing is

that you trust him and think he is a good person to go into this particular business with. I say go for it and good luck.:thumbsup:

[Sanity Claws]

13. What kind of Republican?

Frankly the traditional Republican was not a bad person. You may disagree with him but he was not totally bonkers. You could work with someone like that. So if this was a traditional Republican, I'd say go ahead. If he is one of these neo-cons, I'd say no.

[Straight Shooter]

15. Absolutely. But the one I'm thinking of is a Democrat in her heart.

She loves Howard Dean, works hard for the environment, has big arguments with her bushie son, on and on and on. She's only a Repub out of habit, coming from a Repub family that is actually fairly well-known in politics. If only all Repubs had even half the integrity this woman has, we wouldn't be in this mess.

Go with your gut instinct.

[Shine]

16. Your friend sounds like he's a decent person, so why not?

I haven't personally been in this type of quandry, though.

Trust your gut...

It's a big deal to mix friendship and business, so choose wisely.

Good luck!
:hi:

[Left Is Write]

17. I might.

I can think of two offhand that I would.

[bridgit]

18. get it in writing, do nothing on a handshake, tell them...

it is just business; as a republican...they will have to understand :thumbsup:

[begin_within]

19. Thanks

[fujiyama]

20. Do what you feel is right...

Make sure you feel you can trust him. That is the most important tthing abouut going iinto business with someone. You don't want them accusing you of taking an unfair share and you don't want him to take an unfaair share...Angry ex employees or ex partners can cause hell later if they are spiteful in any way.

If you feel that your political differences will make it difficult to run a business with him everyday, then you should reconsider.

Otherwise good luck. Starting a business is exciting but difficult...