Trading an ownership stake for services that you need for your small business just might make sense. Most entrepreneurs would bristle at the thought of losing any control in the company that they started and built. But it may just make sense if you are up against a wall, and need some expertise to help you grow. 

I spoke with a business owner today and he said that he had the capability to make 5000 pieces of his product a year, but he was only currently able to sell about 1000. Sounds like a marketing opportunity to me! So…should he trade me a piece of his underachieving company for my marketing knowledge? Stop and think about it for a minute….he has been stuck in a bit of a rut at 1000 units. If I can help him grow to selling 5000, wouldn’t it be worth it?

Maybe, maybe not…he might be perfectly content being his own boss, and making a decent living. But…if he wants to grow the business, he may need outside help. Most times, that doesn’t come cheap. Plus, he would still be able to be his own boss in the workshop, but may love the idea of having someone else worry about things that he is not very good at. 

Let me know what you think, and how you would handle the situation.