Partnerships
Ever wondered how businesses like law firms or accounting practices manage to combine different expertise under one roof? Partnerships are businesses owned by 2-20 people who pool their resources and skills together.
Getting started is straightforward - the partners create a deed of partnership, which is essentially a legal contract outlining who does what, how profits are split, and what happens if someone wants to leave. This document prevents arguments later and keeps everyone on the same page.
The biggest advantage is that you're not going it alone. Different partners bring different skills and ideas, whether that's technical expertise, marketing know-how, or financial backing. Plus, you can raise more capital than a sole trader since multiple people are contributing funds.
However, there's a major downside: unlimited liability means if the business fails, partners' personal assets (like their homes) could be seized to pay debts. The only exception is a sleeping partner - someone who invests money but doesn't run the business day-to-day.
Quick Tip: Partnership disagreements can slow down decision-making significantly, so choose your partners wisely!