[scandox]

When I was about 27 and had my own business I sat next to a billionaire at some charity dinner (in Ireland this can happen fairly easily - not because of the number of billionaires - which is low - but because of the tiny social scene).

Anyway he asked me about my business. Then he said: "Do you have a business partner?".

I said "Yes I do".

He said "Get rid of them".

[gtf21]

What is this anecdote supposed to tell the OP? I can only assume that the intent is to imply a link between this man's advice and his wealth, but data isn't the plural of anecdote.

[scandox]

Well I'm just relaying the advice of a somewhat successful man, which I didn't take. But to expand I think what he meant was if you're confident that you can do it and you mean to do it, then don't halve the responsibility. Take it all.

[gtf21]

I really don't agree. I'm pretty confident in my ability to do what I do, but having a cofounder has given me a useful critic (amongst other things). Having gone through this stuff, I would have wanted to have done it on my own. *

> just relaying the advice of a somewhat successful man

This is a fallacy. Unless it's backed up by really good reasoning, I wouldn't take someone's advice seriously _simply because_ s/he has been successful at _something_. There are too many factors at play and way too much context to make it meaningful unless it obviously translates to the situation at hand. I can't think of a plausible reason why having a business partner is, 100% of the time, a bad thing (which is what is suggested in this anecdote).

* caveats: "having a cofounder" is obviously not a panacea, and may not be a good thing if you don't have the right relationship (which seems fairly clear from the OP)

[scandox]

I'm not arguing. I'm "relaying". He's more successful than I am. He gave me the advice. Looking back I regret not taking it for a variety of reasons. Everybody's going to be different.

[insulanian]

Agreed​ - business partner usually implies compromises.

[gtf21]

Yeah and compromises/disagreements sometimes mean the difference between barking up the wrong tree and seeing the flaws in your own argument.