@Jason – haha start-ups with your wife. I have experience with that one. Work bleeds into home and home bleeds into work, no matter how much you try to avoid it. I’d recommend to every living soul to avoid that situation like the plague.

I’m about to start up on my own this time. To highlight a point Rosemary made I think mentors is probably a very good way to go to get that support, or also entrepreneurial meetups.

Spiraling into depression because you are carrying the weight of your world is no good position for anyone and often, in anything not just business, an outlet is needed for which to bounce ideas, thoughts and pressures off or just to let off some steam. If friends, mentors or acquaintances are in short supply I’ve recently found that a really good run not only destresses me and clears my mind but helps me think better too. Knowing that, I’ll often hit the road and 2 hours later can often see my problems in a different perspective or I’m more able to leave it and relax for the night and come at it from a better angle the next day. It works for me.

My point, solo ownership needn’t be so lonely or depressing. It’s about finding a balance for yourself just as much as finding a balance in a partnership.

There is no right or wrong answer is there? Although, I have heard it is harder to break up a partnership than a marriage.

I nearly invited a developer into my new startup, but Im pleased I havent. He has shown me that we have different approaches to work and although he works hard, his priorities are elsewhere. For me, it was better to learn this upfront than after contracts were signed.

I agree with you about the lonely road to hoe…it is hard to keep motivated and focused, but at least In marching to my own beat.

I have taken on one mentor and am always on the look out for others; I think they are a happy compromise.

I’d like to contribute something but you’ve balanced the two perspectives beautifully.

I’ve seen the insides of both approaches over the past fifteen years.

First as an early minor shareholder in an ICT business that expanded to 7-8 significant contributors and grew to a value of $10M over ten years.
Yes, we had our fallings out.

And lately through a couple of years as founder of my own start-up. I’m blessed with a very supportive and patient angel investor but would most certainly take on the right co-founder.

The right people working together always get a better long term result.