Hiring Your Best Friend as a Co-Founder

The writer describes mixed experience hiring best friends as co-founders at Expojure. Friendship made difficult conversations harder, especially around pay and performance, and one friend left after not meeting expectations. At the same time, another friend brought a useful second perspective and shared motives.

Reading notes

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• The writer warns that emotional closeness can make it awkward to discuss salary, equity, and firing.
• He says a co-founder role should not be assumed for any employee.
• He advises checking whether a person is truly willing to take the leap with the startup.
• He notes that some people join for frustration with a current employer or to learn new technology for their résumé.
• He says work should speak louder than words, especially in the early days when time is limited.
• He argues that motives and vision should be discussed openly once a co-founder is identified.
• He says different perspectives can improve creative output.
• He ends by saying a co-founder can reduce the loneliness of entrepreneurship.