My Controversial Takes on What I Look for in a Business Partner

How many of you have ever chosen the wrong business partner? Maybe it was someone who, on paper, was perfect but was a pain to deal with. I've been there. I've learned the hard way. That's why I'd like to take a moment to give you some radical thoughts on what I've learned about choosing a business partner.

Choosing the proper partner is choosing a life partner—you'd better get it right, or it will cost you. Discipline, respect, and trust—these are non-negotiable. And what I am going to tell you is not arbitrary criteria. These are taken from real experiences, real failures, and things I wish someone had told me earlier.

Cheating Is a Dealbreaker

I don't care if the individual is committed to the business. If they're out there cheating on their spouse, girlfriend, or even lying to first dates that they aren't a 'one-night-stand,' I'm out. I've been with someone who had a history of cheating, and guess what? That lying carried over into our business relationship. It's not an isolated behavior. It's a pattern. If a person is at ease lying and manipulating in one part of their life, why should I assume they'll magically become honorable when money is involved?

Integrity matters. It's the foundation of any successful relationship. And let me tell you, if an individual is going to make their personal life crazy, that craziness will cross over into business. I've seen it myself, and I'm not going to do that.

Lack of Self-Control in Personal Health

This one’s going to ruffle some feathers, but hear me out. If someone is morbidly obese or consistently neglects their health, it raises questions about their discipline. Things happen—health issues, personal struggles—and I’m empathetic to that. But if someone’s lifestyle reflects a total disregard for their well-being, it’s a red flag.

I once worked with someone who had little regard for their health. I didn't think it mattered at first—here we are to begin a business, not prepare for a marathon. Eventually, I saw that their failure to discipline themselves, regarding health, carried over to how they approached problem-solving, meeting deadlines, and even making everyday commitments. Building a business is an intense activity that requires endurance. If you can't discipline yourself, then how can I trust you to deal with the demands of a partnership, much less a corporation?

Respecting Boundaries and Time

It's 4 a.m., my phone rings, and I'm not the type of CEO who gets up before 6 a.m. Most of those who say they do are full of crap. And, a potential business partner is calling me, waking me up, and inquiring about something that could have waited until morning. Then, when I responded, they asked me three times why I sounded sleepy. Spoiler alert: I was sleepy because they woke me up. Now, at that point, I might have said "fuck" or worse—I'm not doing this because I'm rude or unprofessional. It's because if you test my boundaries, ask me the question three times, and test my patience, I will assuredly let you know I'm angry. If an occasional use of strong language in this situation offends you, then we're not going to do a good job together.

Respecting boundaries is not about sleep, but an awareness of the other person's time, energy, and space. If you can't handle something as easy as that, we're not going to get along. Relationships are about mutual respect, and that starts with respecting each other's boundaries and empathy when crossed, no matter how small.

The Phone Rule: Be Available

Here's a tough one to swallow: if you need to turn off your phone during productive time in order to accomplish anything... I'M OUT! I've had relationships where an individual would silence their phone for hours—or all day—because they "couldn't focus." Let me be real with you: that tells me you aren't ready for the demands of leadership.

Boundaries also pertain to this. If you do have specific hours when you're not present, that's fine—be upfront about that. But shutting down entirely, suddenly and without warning, shows a lack of consideration and self-discipline. As a founder, CEO, or leader, you don't get to 'shut off.' You're working on multiple timelines at the same time, talking to people all over the globe, and handling unexpected problems. If you’re addicted to social media, texting your friends, or simply can’t focus with your phone on, that’s your problem to fix—not mine to accommodate. Being available and managing distractions isn’t just a skill; it’s a requirement to be considered at least an 'executive.'

The Bottom Line

These aren’t arbitrary rules. They’re rooted in reality. If you cheat, you’re dishonest. If you neglect your health, you lack discipline. If you don’t respect boundaries, you’re selfish. If you turn off your phone to be productive, you’re not prepared for leadership.

I’ve learned these lessons the hard way, and I’m sharing them because I don’t want you to make the same mistakes. Controversial or not, these are my non-negotiables. Choosing the right partner is too important to leave to chance. If someone doesn’t meet these standards, I’m not afraid to say no. And neither should you.