I THOUGHT UpWork was ‘weeding out bad hires’? They allude to that anyway. It’s misleading.

In short… we saw interest drop off a cliff early May ‘23. We were Dead until Nov. ‘23, now things have picked up. Near (ATL, just south metro suburbs). My point, u may soon see biz picking up. ‘Some’ feel rates will start dipping @ May 2024. If that’s true-or before-economy should start running from pent up demand. (Many LL have found that tenants who sign a 5 yr. Lease are more successful than tenants who sign shorter, say a 3 yr. lease. I found this out myself. So, you have a chance! GL.

We have a tenant-brix&mortar-that NET PROFITS @ 43% (of sales) annually for 24 years. Customers have to wade thru many biz online nowadays. In a way, mirroring brix&mortar stores. Physical locations pull in passerby’s, are part of the local community, people ‘know where the merchant is’. Many biz online w/no, low revenues & have marketing expenses for their company from Google ads, or FB, etc. For me personally, I’ve always liked physical locations. GLTA.

‘Partnership’? As in 50% of company? Know the value of the company. Co/owner own any assets? Know this too. Have you seen the financials? (Definitely REVIEW them closely!). Do financials make sense? Get “in line” for these things in case things go sour. Chances are, sooner or later, there will be challenges w/your partner &/or biz. GL.

I SO agree! I’ve been saying similar things for awhile. ‘Govt.’/media should talk about that more. Teach ppl u slow ur spending will slow inflation, rates MAY not need to be raised so much, etc. the way the govt. attacks it hurts vulnerable people & businesses (esp. small biz). I hate seeing layoffs & int. rates that ripple higher costs for people. Black Friday, I’ve read poor sales but I’ve seen high sales mentioned more. & That’s modern media. U can skew numbers in a few ways. Bottom line is HOW r the real people doing? Best to all.

$1,600 for a mirror?! God bless you.

That’s what happens when media keeps talking recession, high interest rates, etc. ppl tightening up. Can’t blame the ppl. How r ppl getting higher rents?

I use taxi over ‘uber’ too.

How r u operating? A real taxi, uber gig, ‘rogue driver’??

If you both don’t already have resentment & trust issues, you WILL. Take bull by horns & wrestle the biz away anyway you can. Start new biz, take customers, etc. HUGE problem is nothing in writing. Even in writing there are problems but you get to refer to your agreement. Doesn’t mean you’ll follow it, but gives you a basis if u need court. I don’t know how people open biz with no papers? Is the biz even legal? I’ve learned over the years, but u still make mistakes. You should/will learn from this. I take it you r young? The positive is you r said to be successful. (I assume you have basic bookkeeping?). Best NOT to have partners. When you DO get papers together, TRY to put in writing any ‘exit procedures’. Buyouts, terms, etc. right now, this is basically a ‘rogue biz’. Eventually, there will be legal trouble. Tell your ‘bud’ you need papers drawn up to continue. Also, imo, he’s bullying you. Re: who works harder. Maybe both keep a work diary? GL.

I agree with you. OP may feel a guilty at first, but the relationship will get worse.

Curious. Are u a woman? I can definitely understand your angst if you’re a man. A buyer would probably be a woman. At least u know you CAN run a business! GL.

Drop ‘Unprofitable accounts’. Great point.

Prob. Nothing, unfortunately. Also, should consider a different biz, esp. if OP can’t sell.

In other words pivot? (a good idea).

Pretty normal.

I’d try to let it sit for now, ignore them unless the file suit. Even w/a contract, that doesn’t stop problems. Definitely better to have one. But can b a false sense of security. The parties have to abide be the contract. GL.

Get a freelance attorney.

We r gearing up to sue someone we hired. Worked for us 10+ years. Made mistakes, took $, etc. we r well documented too & we wonder WHY would they want to go court? But, I’ve learned court can be fickle (the judge). But, principle is also worth fighting for. GLTU!

Why the down votes? This is pretty common here. Always someone wanting dm for whatever reasons. Down voting is a bit harsh, imo.