About to incorporate, my father wants in.

[hibou]

To begin, I'm about to incorporate my business. Shit hit the fan in a good way. <p>My father, who owns his own company is very supportive of my whole endeavor. His company pays me a salary because I'm actually a director, even though I do absolutely nothing. I've used that cash to support myself and further my business.<p>My dad is starting to express his belief that he's the one personally funding me, even though I'm using my legally-earned salary money.He says he can pull the switch whenever he wants and cut off my salary. (all praise his mighty patriarch)<p>2) I told him at one point last week I was about to make a call to get the incoporation going.I just needed to call my lawyer and say "go". At that moment, he told me that maybe he should be a director of my company because he foresees putting in money in the future that he could potentially reinvest if things work out.(Wait, what) I asked him if that's what directors are for and he pleaded ignorance. I went to my office later. He shows up out of nowhere and then tells me that since I own 13% of his company, and that he sees no reason why he shouldn't be able to benefit from my probable success. (Because hey, I ASKED HIM to make me a director of his company and to give me shares, right? No. Never asked for a cent or any position in his firm)<p>Anyway, so I look at him and say "well shit, so now it's about reciprocating your generosity"? . He stormed out and told me he didn't know how to deal with my idiocy.<p>Apparently, I offended him . He then comes back and says, "you know what?! You're right, you own 150% of your company. Enjoy".<p>I mean, don't I? <p><p>I just can't figure out why my dad, who has nothing to do with software and doesn't even fully grasp what I'm doing, wants to be a fucking director of my corporation.<p>Do I owe him something?

[lnsignificant]

Tough situation, and you never mix money and family, but I would give him a piece. Not because he thinks he deserves it, but because it's a nice gesture and he's probably right that he will probably be investing into it. I don't envy the decision you have to make, but if your relationship with him before this was great, I would personally let him in.

good luck

[lnsignificant]

You could always grant him a piece, say 5%, with incentives that can be granted over time while certain company KPI's are met (you both could co-write these), pushing up closer to 10% in the event of some sort of fund raising he would be a part of. This covers a lot of your risk, and sets the stage for a solid working relationship. You need to manage both in this instance, which makes the relationship more complex, but could end up with you having your cake and eating it too.

[hibou]

Can this all be done at some later point in time?

edit: I just feel like there's a deeper, darker, emotional issue that needs to be addressed. My dad feels like it's my duty to include him because I've been spoiled all my life. I just see this as unfair. Also, I kind of want to do something on my own for once without having my father hovering above me.

[lnsignificant]

If he agrees to it. Just out of curiosity, why do you care if he's doing this for less than altruistic reasons?

[hibou]

I see, but at the same time the conditions can always be modified later on, can't they?

Also, our relationship is borderline enmeshed/co-dependent. If he gets on board my company, he'll be able to control my decisions to a great extent.

[NonEUCitizen]

You'll have trouble getting outside investors later if you mix it up with the other company.