Would you set up a business 50-50 with a friend? Sorry about the sound quality, the captions should help

Sep 3, 2026 · 3:33 PM UTC

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Replying to @MartinSLewis
@jonathan_wilke didnt you go 50/50 with a friend?
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
50/50 with HMRC sounds like a good deal
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
No, it will ruin a friendship
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
A builder friend of mine says 'these things work, until they don't ' Has had 2 partnerships of this kind, both ended after some years because of varying ideas about expansion or not Now in last decade of working life is working with Son & daughter hoping to gradually step back
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
If it was someone from work, who I'd become friends with, then maybe. Purely social friend, never.
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
Depends what it was. Anything in hospitality then probably not.
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
I went into business with a friend from work. We were reasonably successful for six years but had a difference of opinion on where to take the business next. It got very acrimonious and in the end we dissolved the business. We didn’t speak to each other for 10 years afterwards.
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
This is good advice. I deal professionally with conflict, in particular within senior leadership teams. This problem happens often! It’s essential to have the Articles & governance worked out, maybe a NED to avoid vote deadlock, does the Chair have the power of veto, etc.
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
No! I was always taught there are no friends in business!
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
From what I've seen, it pretty much always ends up with a big fall out. Either one feels they are carrying the other or one is happy as they are and the other wants to expand. Trying to think of one that lasted to retirement and struggling....
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
No some so called friends turn into rats over money 💰 🐀
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
An acquaintance of mine did. They had a disagreement about working hours and the other person pulled out leaving all the rent to be paid. No written agreement now gone legal. Beware!
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
Friend of mine did 49.5%-49.5%-1% when they did similar - the 1% was with a mutual acquaintance who was a successful business owner themselves, and they only got involved to break stalemates - the 1% ownership was their payment for that. Seemed pretty clever to me...
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
Absolutely never. Recipe for disaster and a broken friendship.
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
I've set up a CIC and added my friend and family as directors to apply for funding, but not getting far as got to help.
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
Only if you want to trade a brother for a lawsuit by month six. Keep business in the family ledger, keep friendships at the espresso bar.
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
Never 50/50, and always put provisions in place for good and bad exits by one party, and provisions for additional funding if needed and consequences of one side saying no.
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
No
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
Never in a million years
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
Nope. Quick way to wreck a friendship.
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
Yes.
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
Could say the same of other arrangements.
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
No....lol
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
When you set up a marriage business Your 50% investment turns into nothing after divorce
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
Never do business with family or friends. Too many arguments.
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
No.
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
Shareholders agreement essential 🤝
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
I agree. 50-50 partnerships with friends can be very risky. Once money, decisions and disagreements get involved, it can quickly change the friendship. I’d rather protect the friendship and keep business separate.
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
I quite literally just have! Any barbers or barbershop owners reading this, head over to Instagram.com/trimd_co and drop us a DM - £0 subscription, 0% commission ☺️
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
My car insurance went up by 50 percent this year, other companies higher. I can't work it out, 20 years no claims. So confused why it's gone up so much!
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
No
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
SO THAT LABOUR CAN TAX IT TO THE HILT?????
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
No
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
No
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Replying to @MartinSLewis
No
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