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Comment by aisengard | Hacker News Reader

Mixing money and family/friends sounds like it will end horribly. What happens when you don't break even and you need to fire people?

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I provide good references, connections to other employers, and generous severance to help soften the landing. I have done this before at a business in my early 20s during M&A events.

All employment is temporary. Remember, my goal is to operate a business to spend time with those whose company I enjoy, not to be ridiculously successful.

You've done this before with friends and family?

I have hired and fired family before, yes. The example I mentioned was not that case though, although it was where I learned how to treat someone humanely when letting them go (through a manager who turned out to be the best manager [and eventually business partner] I’ve ever had).

I would say, just brief them at the start "I might fire you tomorrow, go in expecting that, we'll set you up something else if I do. Don't rely on this." Kind of like the way you lend money to friends.

That said, you probably shouldn't lend money to friends.

Not sure why you're being downvoted. I like your approach.

If you can give some of your less fortunate friends/family a job and break even at the same time, it sounds like a win-win for everyone. Certainly if they are currently unemployed.

Thanks. Exactly my thoughts.

You shouldn't really even do business with friends.

You connect to people in other departments, not direct managers/employees.

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