Your Business Partner may determine your business success

Apple, Facebook, Instagram, and hundreds of incredible brands started with two people who shared a common goal, and they both said "yes" to each other. Two dreamers that got dressed as a queen and as a superhero, to pursue a vision of a brighter future; or two guys in a garage drinking a beer and talking about "this thing that could change other people's lives". By all means, I am not saying you definitely need a partner to succeed, however, when you work with a real Business Partner everything changes, yes it can be what tips the scale between making it or not.

There is something symbiotic about two people working on the same project, focusing on the same goal, and becoming passionate about the same milestones. Suddenly, there's this feeling that you're not alone, that someone got your back so you can be human, and allow yourself to have good and bad days. Someone to catch you when you hit the floor, and complement your gaps including all the balls your accidentally dropped while your business was running.

As a business owner, I've got to say that the best decision you can ever do to move your business forward is find the appropriate Business Partner.

Since I can honestly say that it's the hardest thing to do, I decided to share with you my top 5 list of attributes to find the perfect Business Partner.

Consider this like a "checklist" if you are looking for one, or deciding if the one you have is THE ONE. This list will be defined as phrases you need to keep your eye/ear up, in order to identify them...and if you hear them...bingo! Check-mark it! (Collect all five! You need them all.)

1. "What are we trying to accomplish?" Please pay attention to the pronoun used here, it's a "we" not an "I". Look for a partner that uses the word "we" to find out what's missing, what needs to be done, what can the company do to be better, and most importantly when it's time to reach a goal; And the word "I" when it's about holding ourselves accountable for what's being done and what needs to be fixed to improve. Seek for a partner that puts his/her/their name after yours in a signature, that is ready to represent your name, brand, and slogan without you even in the room. Someone who is constantly calibrating the compass with you, as a team.
2. "What can I do for you?" NOT said as the typical courtesy question to send the message that someone else can help you, but with the real intent of making it happen. This is a question of sacrifice, a question that needs to be made with our egos aside. I'll never forget the day my Business Partner sent me a message at 2:30 am: "What are you doing awake?" and I replied, "working". Her answer wasn't "go to sleep", it was "what can I do for you, so you go to sleep and rest?", so I said "It's 2:30 am!" And she replied with the same question asked before. Oh! wow. That night I didn't ask for anything, but that question, at that time, changed many things for me. Look for someone who will work not the same hours, or on the same capacity, but with the same commitment and professionalism as you.
3. "How much are we paying for this?" Yes, you need someone to feel comfortable talking about money, all the time...it's a business! Find someone with whom you can discuss costs, value, price, discounts, percentages, gains, assets, capital, and everything related to the finances of the business. Another thing that let me with my mouth open was the day my Business Partner said "I know we lost money with this Project, I know our debt is big and I also know you didn't ask me to sign any papers to force me to pay or respond for this debt you have. However, we are partners and I am not asking you, I am telling you, I will pay half of your debt as I honor your work and value our business." Life-changing right?
4. "I've got you" Just like that exercise where people are in a circle and then you close your eyes and fall backward with your hands in your chest, trusting someone is going to catch you... yes, that's the feeling I'm talking about, and not one time, but EVERY DAY! Look for a Business Partner that says your name if he/she joins the meeting before you, that covers for you when you are in a meeting and have to excuse yourself for a minute, that responds to that email that you won't see on time, that protects your reputation with a sword and a shield no matter if what was said is true or not, that got you when you mess things up and understands you are human. Find a business partner that has the initiative to identify your gaps, your faults, and weaknesses, not to criticize them but to complement them with his/her strengths WITHOUT being asked to do it.
5. "What are you talking about? Of course we're ok! We are always ok!" There is nothing more draining than working with people who are constantly in the need of knowing that you trust them, like them, appreciate them, value them, and respect them. Look for a Business Partner that knows all this already, someone who understands your sense of humor, and not necessarily that laughs at your jokes, but that knows you are joking when you are. A person who knows that what you said or did had the best of intentions and that even when things don't land as smoothly as you'd like to, your partner will use that amazing filter called "friendship" that puts everything in the right perspective, in the right time. Once I heard "Don't waste your time giving explanations to everyone. Your friends don't require them, and your enemies don't understand them." Look for someone who travels light, and in a high frequency.

BONUS points for you if you find a Business Partner who speaks the truth, behaves with integrity, and feels the light of goodness as you both jump into the cliff, to build that plane that will take you up in the sky. Transparency and honesty are the foundation of any relationship. Where there are truth and hope, anything can be handled.

Working with a Business Partner also includes someone who will understand that you are both very different, but won't ask you to change to be the other one. Find someone who respects your personal life, that asks about your children by name, your dog, your cat, and your plants, that worries when you are worried, that is happy with your joy. Someone willing to bring you happiness, wealth, and growth. A partner who is willing to tell you things as they are, in your face, in the most assertive and caring way. A person that doesn't ask "What can I do to make you feel better?" but shows up at your door with chocolates and flowers, and a chicken soup.

Look for a Business Partner that doesn't say things but DO things.

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To you my dear Business Partner, my Queen Angelica Ogando, gracias infinitas por tu cari?o y tu paciencia, gracias por existir. Thank you for believing in me, for trusting me, and for making Yoshida Academy the best organization in the world.

Happy Birthday!