This could be a bit of a long read, sorry if I bore you and get longwinded. I've been known, from time to time, to talk a little.....Anyway, I digress. As most of you know, I work part time in an archery shop. I knew going into it that the owner couldn't afford to pay me anything monetarily, but my payment comes in different forms. I'm 100% fine with that. With the knowledge I've gained, and the friends I've made......that's good with me. So anyway, a couple of months ago my best friend called me. He says he's opening a gun store and would love for me to go into business with him and I could handle archery equipment. I am in a position that I COULD do so, but.......there are some obvious ethical issues here. So, I decide that I'm just not going to go against my friend (who we will call Tom, the archery shop owner) and compete against him. My other buddy understood completely and no hard feelings. Well, the gun shop buddy (who we will name Jerry) moves ahead with his plan. He secures a building and begins the paperwork. And over the months of these happenings, he and I have been discussing many things. While he's decided to not be an archery shop, he does want to carry some small archery items. Mostly bowfishing stuff, but he will order whatever anyone wants. I was becoming more and more uncomfortable with all of this. All 3 of us are friends, though Tom and I are much closer than Jerry and Tom. So I tried to talk Jerry out of all things archery, out of respect of the friendship. No go. He's gonna do it. His shop is VERY small and the overhead will be minute. So he won't stock much at all, and in the grand scheme of things will be no real competition to Tom. Oh, did I mention he wants me to work for him? Only in this case, there would be a paycheck involved. We're not going to get into all of this but.....as an example......2 years ago one of Tom's dogs somehow was locked in the shop and tore the door up pretty bad. That door is still not fixed. Not properly, anyway. He's secured it, but it looks HORRIBLE. I understand there is money involved fixing it but get this.....Tom is a carpenter and built the building he's in. He has a woodworking shop and all the tools he needs to repair that door. The building, in general, is in shambles. It's disgusting, really. I do what I can but......it's not my business and I don't get paid anyway. The point being, he doesn't care enough about his own business to repair his front door. I can't tell you how pissed he is at me right now. I've been up front with him and my intentions, and have pulled no punches with him at all. I've been completely honest. It's a damn shame. His business could be incredible, and he just doesn't care enough to do it. The guys that work there (without pay) work harder and care more than he does. (Understand I'm not saying any of this to be disrespectful, or even hurtful. But it is what it is. I think it's tragically sad. We're friends and I want to see him do well.) Now, also understand that I get the conflict of interest. But like I said, archery is going to be an extremely minor sale. Our main focus is antiques, firearms and fishing equipment. Yeah, we'll have a little hunting stuff in there and Jerry will order whatever anyone wants that he can get. I can't, and won't, type out this entire spectacle but while I'm certainly not perfect, I am trying really, really hard to handle this with integrity and respect. Seriously. This is a business move for me and has nothing to do with Tom and I, as friends. While right now my pay will be small with Jerry's shop, it's more than I make in Tom's and I know the long term goals of Jerry. There will be, in the future, more cash involved. And I need the extra income to get my family into a better home, and provide a better life for my kids. It's a done deal, I'm gonna make the move. I just hope, that when we inevitably part ways, that we can still be friends as I will still be getting the majority of my archery equipment, especially my bow, from him. I know it's a very delicate balance, but what do you guys think? How much of a difference is there between business and friends?
You'll have little chance of remaining friends..Also with a dealer discount, I bet you'll be ordering your own bow and accessories. I'd be a little worried about Jerry's diversity, it sounds more like a flea market than a sporting goods store I'd visit. (by your description) Antiques?? Firearms is a tough business. Most (knowledgable) folks know the worth of guns to the dollar. To make money you have to move volume. I hope Jerry can stay in business long enough to show a profit! Did you ever talk to Tom about a paid position or even a stake in the business? It's a conversation worth having before the relationship is really tested with your departure.
I fear you are correct. And in the context of this forum, it's difficult to convey the full picture. So I totally get your skepticism. You'll just have to believe me when I say that's not how his store is going to be. There will be a learning curve to be certain, and it won't be perfect. But I have every confidence that it will be successful. In fact, we have had that discussion in the past. He wanted me to buy into his business a year or so ago (Tom) but I didn't, and still don't, feel it would be a profitable investment. Again, there is just too much going on to cover in this context. And I see your point about the discount, but as I sit here, right now, I have every intention of getting my bows from Tom, especially given he can sell dealer only bows, which I really like. I'm willing to pay a little more for the bow I want rather than the one that'll cost me a little less because of the convenience. Ultimately, and admittedly this may be a very naive statement, but I'm still hopeful the 2 stores won't be competitors and I'll be able to do both. And, if I ultimately do have to part ways, I really am trying to do this very respectfully in the effort to retain the friendship. Also know that the situation does upset me some (not anger) because of all of it. I've gone back and forth quite a few times. And if we were only talking about a tiny amount of cash, I would say it's just not worth it. And while initially the cash flow will be small, it's going to grow. And, since Jerry and I are best friends, I'm very obviously going to be in his shop frequently. And that, alone, could easily be enough to become an issue. And even if I weren't working for him, if he needed help I would give it. And to the point of a paid position, it's just not possible. Have I discussed it with him? No. But even if it were possible, I don't think I could accept. There are 3 other guys that work there, and unless he paid them all I wouldn't be comfortable with it at all. I'm no better than any of them, and I expect no special treatment. He just can't do it.
I understand and obviously you are closer to the situation than any of us. I hope your decision works out for all involved. I've been in a similiar position..loyalty to a friend vs moving on..and I stayed, passing up some pretty good perks along the way. I sleep well with my decision. But everyone has to weigh thier particular situation independently. Good Luck.
-Man, that's a tough one, I've been in a similar situation. I started working with a friend of mine who started a construction company, he needed the man power and I was willing to help him out, hoping that the pay would go from mediocre to something better. As his business progressed into something profitable, I never got a pay increase, and wasn't going to. I felt taken advantage of by trying to help someone out, and washed my hands of it. Long story short, we're still good friends, after some strong words everything worked out. It's a little different in your case, especially with "Tom." If he doesn't care enough about his business to make it presentable to the public and more profitable so he can afford to pay the people who help him out out of good will, it's his loss. Good help is hard to find, and he's not doing anyone any favors. If "Tom" is pissed at you, especially after you were up front with him from day 1 and didn't try to hide anything, that's really childish on his part, no matter how good of friends you are. Any real friend would understand that if you have a chance to make money somewhere else, especially with a family to provide for, that you need to do whatever is best for them. Personally, it sounds to me like "Tom" was taking advantage of you, and knew it, but I could be wrong. I would have made the same move, but the friendship aspect of it definitely makes it a tough ethical decision. I hope everything works out for you. my .02
What exactly are you supposedly "loyal" to/for? Look.....everybody brings something to a relationship. How any "friend" could get mad at you for bettering your situation.........is beyond me.
First of all I dont' understand this..... My loyalty and perhaps friendship might end right there. Also friendship and business are on two different planets. Business is business. It's that simple.
Mo- You have been loyal and worked for the guy for some time without a paycheck under the terms that allows him to remain in business. Sadly, the shop has turned into a an unsightly mess and it sounds like his business sense is not growth orientated. With that being said you have done him a favor and likely he has done you well. You now have a chance for a little money and need to provide for your family and have an opportunity. If he doesn't understand this it is a shame. You guys are purposely trying not to directly compete with him and it sounds like you are bringing a newer shop that will be more orderly and likely successful. If the guy can't run his archery shop without paying people now, how much longer will he be in business? To date, you have looked out for his interests and tried to ensure he stays in business. He needs to understand that you have a chance at more than he can provide, and in turn your two shops can feed off each other to increase business. The only thing that should upset him is that he will need to find another to take your place under his payment terms
Yeah, you guys are thinking the same line I am. I've questioned a few things over the last week, and I'm sure that within a short period of time, all will be answered.
Family comes first. I'm sure it's hard to part ways, but If your friend doesn't understand, what kind of a friend is he?
I have seen this shop Diamond Donny works at.... It is a dump. You could tell at one time it was a very nice building though. I am sure you know my opinion even with out giving it.
Yeah buddy, I sure do. In fact, I think we've discussed it before. Well before this new venture even began. I had the chance to really sit and talk with Jerry today, as we were getting ready for the grand opening this saturday. I now have a much better idea of what he wants, not only for the business, but from, and FOR me. It's really nice to be associated with somebody that actually has my interest in mind as well. I'm just not used to that. So, this decision is really pretty simple. It just comes down to how far I want to take this. At some point in the future, there will be a full service archery shop involved with this, but that's down the road a couple years. I'm getting pretty excited about this now. It's gonna be really, really good. And, I'm working on building our facebook page and when I have that complete, my facebook friends will be able to sneak a peek at what we've got going on.
