The Doom of Cofounders & Business Partners (Episode 1)

Did you read the last post on this blog? If not, you better go read it so this post makes more sense. Or, don't, whatever.

So, now that you read it, or not, you should know that I have a new business partner. Having had a partner for over 2 weeks now, I'm going to tell you everything I know about business partners! (Admittedly, this is very little, but it's more than I knew a month ago, and perhaps just enough info for you. Perhaps.)

The first advice I was every offered about bringing on a partner was, don't do it! I was at a Bootstrap Austin meeting and no less than 4 people advised me that partners were a bad idea. Not only that, but a leader of the growth phase subgroups (companies that make about a million bucks a year) told me that he had watched every growth phase partnership fall apart (except 1, that hasn't fallen apart yet;). Ouch!

Then, what am I doing? It seems that I don't know. In fact, I'm already experiencing some of the issues that probably make partners fall apart. In situations like mine, where I founded the company and worked on it until 3 in the morning for the first 6 months, it's hard to let go. Jennifer is in charge of pretty much everything related to getting the word out there (or marketing/PR if you must). But, how can I know that she's as committed as I am? How can I know that she isn't going to let the ball drop? Really, the question is, will Later, Dog be her baby like it's been mine? Because that's what I want, someone's who's ridiculously invested.

I'm going to say something foolish now. Probably as foolish as I was at 17 when I wanted to marry Soren because I was absolutely infatuated. (Wait, did I just break some blog code of ethics by mentioning an ex-boyfriend's name?) From all appearances, Jennifer is my soul-founder. She is an absolute perfect match for Later, Dog in every way that I can imagine. Her abilities make up for where I'm lacking. And, we get along like peas in a pod.

Admittedly, it's early... really, really early. There's a thousand things that could go wrong. We haven't even begun to figure out how she will vest in Later, Dog or any of a million other logistical questions. That said, I'm counting on us doing exceptional things together in the coming years!

PS: Don't hold your breath for episode 2, it's probably a year or more away. I need some learning time.

Meet...Me

Who I am, you ask? Well, I'm the newest member of the Later Dog team and I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I am to join this adventure with Jessica.

I've been doing Event Planning, Marketing and PR since I graduated back in 2000 from DePaul University in Chicago. I started out in collegiate athletics, moved my way quickly into the pro-sports industry and then traded in all the glitz and glamour to be with a non-profit (Zoo). I moved to Austin about 1 and a half years ago and quickly landed in the event planning world and animal world by volunteering with Austin Pets Alive.

I love animals. All animals. I've had amazing moments with a baby orangutan, young giraffes, silverback gorillas, tarantulas, bats....plus, I have two dogs that mean the world to me.

I believe in the mission and potential for Later Dog. I'm so excited to help make it the best of the best...talk to you soon!

jennifer@laterdog.com