09/09/2025
DEAR MEN
"Never do business with friends."
The saying "never do business with friends" warns of the significant risks in mixing personal relationships with professional endeavors, as it can lead to conflicts, strained finances, undefined roles, lack of commitment, and the potential loss of both the friendship and the business. While some people have successfully partnered with friends, it often requires meticulously defined roles, clear agreements, and a strong understanding of each person's professional commitment to avoid the common pitfalls that can make the venture a disaster.
That statement — “Never do business with friends” — is also a cautionary principle often repeated in both business and personal circles. Let’s break down its meaning and implications:
1. Blurring of Boundaries
Business is structured around contracts, responsibilities, and accountability.
Friendship is built on trust, emotions, and personal bonds.
Mixing the two can blur lines: a friend may expect favors, leniency, or special treatment that could harm the business.
2. Risk of Strained Relationships
If the business prospers, jealousy or imbalance in roles may emerge.
If it fails, the friendship often collapses under blame, financial loss, or mistrust.
3. Conflict of Interest
Friends might avoid holding each other accountable or having hard conversations (like confronting laziness, debt, or poor performance).
This leads to decisions based on loyalty rather than logic, which weakens business foundations.
4. Emotional Complications
Business requires rational, sometimes tough, choices (layoffs, penalties, strict policies).
Friendship, however, is guided by empathy and emotional support. Mixing them makes it difficult to act objectively.
5. The Counter-Argument
Some successful businesses do start with friends — but they usually thrive when:
Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined.
Formal agreements are signed (contracts, equity splits, exit strategies).
Professionalism is maintained above personal feelings.
✅ In essence: The it warns that while friendship is valuable, it can be fragile under the weight of financial disputes. If one decides to mix business with friendship, it should be approached with structure, transparency, and written agreements — otherwise, one risks losing both the business and the friend.
