when we mixed family and business… and almost lost both
Three years ago, my cousin and I started a small landscaping business.
We trusted each other completely. No contracts, no written agreements — just two guys hustling.
At first, it was great. We split the work, we split the money.
Then busy season hit. He wanted to reinvest everything into new equipment; I wanted to keep a portion as profit.
Arguments started. Texts got tense. Thanksgiving was awkward.
That’s when I realized the golden rule: If you mix family and money, you need to protect both.
We sat down with a lawyer, made an LLC, and agreed on an operating agreement that spelled out how profits, losses, and decisions worked.
Now, the business is steady. We still argue sometimes, but now it’s about marketing strategies, not whether I’m “greedy.”
If you’re going to make money with family, treat it like a business from day one.
Contracts aren’t cold — they keep the warmth in the relationship.
#Finance #MakeMoney #FamilyWealth #BusinessWithFamily
