Canuck Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 (edited) I always thought those "Office Christmas Party" etiquette stories were apocryphal. I am differently opinionated today. For the past several weeks, myself, a co-worker and a 3rd partner from another shop have been quietly doing our homework, running numbers and putting together a business plan to open a machine shop. As some of you are all too aware, I can't get the company I work for now to look after the work I've brought in so I thought maybe I'd step out and go it alone so to speak. As an honest man, I made sure that not only was the work I was pursuing not connected to client of my employer, but frankly not even in the same industry (IE - they're oil, specifically drilling, we're transportation and construction). We've kept a very low profile to avoid any conflict, especially seeing as at this point, it's all talk and nobody is ready to pull the pin just yet. Until Friday. My co-worker, in his infinite wisdom, had a few too many drinks, railed off on the boss and spilled the beans. Not even accidently - outright, an "oh yeah, well guess what?!" moment. Fucking Hell. A drunken tirade in a moment of stunning stupidy. Mid-afternoon I got a call from one of my co-workers "your partner spilled the beans last night". I called my partner - no answer - go figure. Hours later he called me to say "bah, it's not that bad - the boss didn't say much anyway". Today I got a call from the boss..."your alarm code has been suspended and your swipe key is disabled until I get to the bottom of this". Considering I am "the bottom of this", I offered to sit down with him immediately. Long story short, the outcome of the meeting (a very civil meeting I might add) was to the point: Option 1) - forget about starting your own business, work here and know that we'll never trust you again or Option 2) - pack your tools and hand over your keys now because we don't trust you. Merry Christmas to me. The missus is just super-pleased to be starting the new year off like this. Edited December 25, 2006 by Canuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Last Resort Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 Someone needs an ass kicking. Sorry to hear about this Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chfyellowhorse Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 dude, that sucks. Sorry to hear it. Let me know if you start your own shop and where it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airwolf Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 Shit man...that sucks bad. Learned something about that "partner" though..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 damn sucks is an understatement.....glad you found out about partner now though instead of after you had business going and he caused you to lose it or squandered your capital....fucker! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fungus Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 a wise old teacher I had used to say "loose lips sink ships".......good thing you found out about your partner early on......sorry to hear of all the shit your got though....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 First, while Christmas is but once a year, slobbering drunkenness knows no season. Canuck will decide whether it was a singularly stupid blunder or just garden variety stupid. Then, consider the employer whose gut is to deliver and/or ultimatums to a good man (men) who have delivered value to him. He deserves not only to lose that value but to get his paranoid conclusions realized. Kind of an O'Henryesque Christmas. Creates tension but tension is a force and force is energy. Good luck Canuck. Merry Christmas. (and fuck it, make that two pairs of caps. JW and you figger the price and tell me where to send the damn check. Let's get this party started.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colo.gw Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 might just be the BEST thang that ever happend for ya. GOOD ON YA............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunters Friend Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 might just be the BEST thang that ever happend for ya. GOOD ON YA............ I was just going to type this and GW beat me to it... again.... Keep your chin up. Solid business plan will gain financing pretty easy. In a year from now, you will look back and be thankful for the "opportunity" to step out on your own. Best of luck, Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badndn Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 (edited) sorry to hear about the problems. it probably will turn out to be a good thing. take some advice from somebody who has been self employed for almost 20 years...choose your business partners very carefully. choose the people with which you do business with with even more care. i learned this the hard way. everybody that comes along with money is not a good person to do business with. Edited December 25, 2006 by badndn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 If you need a CIO or IT manager, let me know. Your boss needs to understand you weren't using company resources nor client lists, and that your business proposal is obviously in a different field. Also, that you would not have just left him high and dry without giving plenty of notice. I would also make sure your boss knows that your 'partner' does not speak for you, and that he is definitely no longer in your business model. But then, all that is your choice and whether or not your boss believes it or not is up to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aikenscout Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 In the spirit of "there is a reason for everything".............. 1. He forced the issue, now you will do what you need to do. 2. You now know who you don't want/need for a partner. This alone will save you mucho pain and suffering. 3. The need has been around for years. Warpath has gone south, TH not making anything anymore, leaving no one for doo dads. I and many others have said it before. Someone with some talent and a CNC machine can corner the market and do very well. Air cleaners, primary covers, gas caps, shit, a tach just went for $570 on ebay, shift linkage, etc, etc. You could be the man. You would have the entire IMC market, with the potential of the someday Stellican market. I hope it's a plus, a kickstart to get moving and setup. Get with JW, he needs a doodad man, especially for the peepee. No worries mate, I think the future is bright indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hasbin Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 I have on more than one occasion stated "fuk-it" I was looking for a job when I found this one. I never have looked back Best of luck in your new venture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maldev Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 Sounds like your partner simply changed the timeframe in which you have to do everything. It's happened to me as well. You still have everything you need to go out on your own that you did yesterday. Drop the loud-mouthed partner and move forward. You know that if you put out a great product, you'll receive plenty of support from the members of this forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maninbox Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 Sorry that this set of events happened to you, Canuck, especially considering all of the valuable information you have shared with the forum as a professional machinist. I sincerely hope that the old proverb that says "all things happen for a reason" will apply this time too. I believe it will and I also believe that you will make good things happen out of this. The same qualities that have made you one of the top contributors to this forum will carry you to new accomplishments. My hats off to you. MERRY CHRISTMAS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POWER STROKE Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 (edited) I hereby offer my as yet recieved "Pindick of the Year " award to your hopefully former partner. Whata' schmuck! Merry Christmas Canuck. Edited December 26, 2006 by POWER STROKE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary2Wheels Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 C....my old man had a saying,'play your cards close to the vest....'. Good advice,but tough to do.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micmac Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 Sorry Andrew, Not good especially whith a new kid and all. I believe one door closes and two more open. Someone whith your talents will do fine, especially in that Alberta economy! I read in McLean's they were hiring convicts in construction at $18.00 per hour. At least you learned about the other guy before it was too late. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homer Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 situation sux.. but seems like he was thinking some other work--work that could support his family and his biz...Indian stuff certainly couldn't do that--not for years to come, if ever. you're obviously a smart fella, and I think you'll come out ahead in the end. best wishes on your up coming decisions... I seriously know what you're going thru, as I am still in a bit of a work pickle myself... eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 if you get it going with cool quality stuff you will have us to get your sales started..... If I remember right others started by focusing on Indian riders and it expanded to much more such as Hacker Labs, Warpath, Tomahawk, Horndawg, Hegwar Glass, etc.... others also benefited though not started with primarily Indian rider support such as Chilhowee and HighRoller Custom seats... you build a needed quality product and you will have loyal customers and friends....good luck buddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Te Heuheu Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 Tie him up and set him on fire. Grab a stick and some marshmellows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefLoneWolf Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 Someone needs an ass kicking. Sorry to hear about this Andy I Agree!!!! Sorry Canuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted December 26, 2006 Author Share Posted December 26, 2006 Thanks for all the encouragement folks. Maldev and Pop (as usual) hit the nail on the head - the timeline has been pushed forward is all (but the floor still ain't getting poured until the end of February. As for the correct course of action to take with my partner - my first reaction is to cut all ties with him - his presence is not a lynch pin in my success. On the other hand, I picked him for a reason. I'll spend the rest of the holidays with my family, give the whole thing some sober second thought and make a decision based on the best interests of my business, not my ego. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eraserhead Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 Ego or not, ya gotta have trust... Good luck with your decision Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefinder Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 As for the correct course of action to take with my partner - my first reaction is to cut all ties with him - his presence is not a lynch pin in my success. On the other hand, I picked him for a reason. My advice? (which ain't worth much) Few highly motivated talented people have gotten rich working for someone else....Most get rich when they work for themselves. As far as your "partner"....if you decide to keep him around, make sure he is a "junior" partner. You do not want this guy who obviously has a big mouth making equal decisions for the new company. Make sure that if things go south because of him, you can get rid of him, even if it would require a buyout. Oh yeah, I have tried to place an order with Warpath for a couple of years now...I'm ready to spend, just need a vendor. Good Luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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