I really think you guys and what this sub encourages are awesome. I really admire entrepreneurs, but have realized I would like to get out of this as it’s not something I want to do. I started a super early on startup with another friend. At first I thought Id like it, but realize I don’t have the passion he does.
We’ve been working for months. He clearly lives and breathes for this startup. Working around the clock. He’s talking about jumping ship from our full time jobs to do this. If he had a as passionate replacement for me, I’m sure they’d make much more progress. I don’t want to quit my job for this. I’m stressed out of my mind though that I’m going to lose a friend as my skillset is important. Any recommendations on my best attempt at leaving amicably? I’m tired of losing sleep over this and continuing on. How do I approach this and bring it up?
Tell him what you just told a bunch of strangers. Your relationship means more than the business and you’d like to find a way to get out and be the best of friends after.
The real question here is the financial side. If you want to get paid to leave early or bought out for an unreasonable number, yeah, that’s gonna sting. I think you should make bigger concessions than you think are fair, or even leave it up to your friend to decide if or how much this will cost him / her. If it were me, and the friendship was that important, I would think walking away with little to nothing would be the right thing. Anything above $0 is a win for you if the friendship remains intact.
Fwiw, while some may encourage you to continue, that’s actually how friendships end. It’s a good thing you recognize this now and you ought to have the courage and fortitude to address the problem now with your friend. Failure to do so will generate feelings of resentment because he knows he’s doing more and that’s cancerous.
Fix it now. Fix it generously. Retain the friendship. You can do this.