Greetings and salutations from Scotland

[Cerberus73]

hi folks, well im a 33yo multimedia designer from scotland, i started off in the software industry when i was but a wee laddie, and did a second degree in multimedia design, which i graduated from last year.

since then ive been working freelance as a web designer mostly, but recently myself and two of my buddys from the design course decided to get together as a co-operative, having all done freelance for the past year, we felt it was time to get serious and start a studio. taking our existing clients with us, having complimentary skills, and sometimes having to turn down larger jobs whilst working individually, we feel this is the best route for us.

I would like any feedback on other forum members experiances of going into business with friends, and any pitfalls, or issues that have arose from this.

[balou]

Welcome Cerberus.

"Wee laddie" is just not said enough around here. :D I don't have experience of working with friends but it can't be a whole lot different from living with them. Just be prepared to risk losing them as a friend because it can happen.

[Red Kittie Kat]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/RedKittieKat/welcomes/teddies2Dw.gif


Welcome Aboard Laddie :D


Nice to meet you ;)

[DesignerScott]

"Wee laddie" is just not said enough around here.
I concur Balou
I would like any feedback on other forum members experiances of going into business with friends, and any pitfalls, or issues that have arose from this.
All I can say is that my toughest client/project was my own sister's wedding announcements. A little bit bad luck with the printer, and a little bit rough communicating with a "visually challenged" person, but the end result was still a meaningful and endearing design.
Oh and I'm still waiting for my friend to pay me for those graduation announcements. Grrrr.
Oh and welcome to the forum, it sounds like you will be a good resource around here.

[(gra-ph!c-D'sig-nah)]

WELCOME to the forum of forums!

[morea]

welcome aboard!

I have to agree with balou - if you're going to go into business with friends, it can be very difficult to keep the "business" relationship from interfering with the friendship...but I believe that with effort it can be done with some measure of success.

Be sure to spell out each person's rights and responsibilities in writing beforehand... that should help.

[Cerberus73]

yeah, we have decided roles for each of us, as said in first post, we have complimentary skills, ive been noninated as design director, as im the one that is best at the meeting and communicating with clients, as well as being a stickler for taking things in on time and budget... oh and my fetish for backup helps! many a time a backup has saved myself from doom!

then again i have already seen some of the downsides, as in one of my friends is pretty crap at timekeeping, she is invariably always half a hr late for anything, mind you she always shows for client meetings on time, its just any design meetings we hold she turns up late. i have had a word tho, and i hope its got through.

im more than prepared for the day i may lose them as a friend, as im a believer in the old addage, there is no such thing as a friend in business.. time is money! and know i cant cut them slack simply because there my buddy.

thanks for the intro guys, and the feedback.

[jimking]

Teamwork is the key. Have you guys worked together before? Is there one of you who has problems working with others. If you can put together a good tag team, the sky's the limit.

[Danger_Mouse]

Welcome to GDF.

Good Advice: don't go to bed with your GD partners, bad for business.

Well unless of course you're married to them. heh

[Samakimoto Graphics]

*Karibu* Cerberus73!

I'm in an investment club with a group of friends from college. It's been a year an no tiffs yet. It helps if you have a common goal as far as the long-term goes, your other life commitments may come into play- say, if some have kids, others don't, if kids are college age or still needing a lot of care- as this makes priorities change.

Like Mo said, have it all written down and clearly spelled out