How To Choose The Right Business Partner
Choosing the Right Business Partner
Getting into business is exciting. You’ve got the idea, the plan, the drive. And naturally, you start thinking... who can I do this with?
Most people prefer not to do it alone. You get to share the journey, the stress, the wins. It just feels better to have someone in the trenches with you.
But the wrong business partner can hold you back before you even get started. A lot of people team up with a mate or a family member because they get on. And while that might make things feel easier short term, it’s not always the right move. Business needs more than just getting along. It needs complementary skill sets, trust, alignment — just to name a few.
That said, if your friend’s got the same goals and the same drive, it can work. I’ve seen it work. The point here isn’t to knock that idea. It’s just about increasing your chances of success. And in my experience, the best way to do that is by selecting a strategic partnership.
The Early Days
When I first left my 9 to 5 as an estate agent in 2023, I was fired up. I jumped into property sourcing, full of energy, excited about the possibilities.
I started messaging mates and people I worked with at the time to partner up. They were interested. The idea of sourcing serviced accommodation opportunities for investors, earning a finder’s fee, sounded like easy money.
We were already talking about rewarding ourselves with business flights to Dubai at the end of the year. Makes me cringe looking back.
But it didn’t really go to plan.
One of them dropped off straight away. Another gave it a go for a week then called it quits. I’d already left my job by this point so I had no choice. I had to go all in and back myself.
One thing about me — if I commit to something, I’m all in.
That decision changed everything.
I focused on building up my skills. Sourcing, negotiation, sales, dealing with landlords and property owners. I learned the serviced accommodation model inside out. And I stayed consistent.
I contacted over 10,000 landlords over a course of 18 months. Took daily rejection and just kept going.
I can now easily analyse a deal in under 20 seconds. Give me a postcode, asking price, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and a few photos showing the condition, and I’ll know with 95 percent certainty whether it’s a deal worth doing or not. It’s like a muscle. The more you train it, the sharper it gets.
That consistency is where I started to become valuable. I learned the objections. I learned what deals worked. I became someone that people trusted and respected in the space.
How ZEN Stays Came Together
Mac and Maggie were new to the serviced accommodation model and were looking for their first deal. I’d just sourced a high quality 4 bed house in Gloucester and posted it in one of the sourcing groups on Facebook.
They messaged me, asked the right questions, and we moved quickly to get it over the line.
And they didn’t just run it, they smashed it. Their attention to detail, the setup, the design, the systems — everything was done properly. That single unit ended up doubling the projected profit using the luxury model approach. Feel free to check out my other blog on Luxury Model vs Budget Model — it explains exactly what I look for and why the higher end model often wins.
That was the start.
Over the next 18 months, they went on to buy four more property deals from me. Five in total.
We weren’t planning to team up. But we had the same mindset on business principles, the same work ethic, and we just got on. We found each other funny, had similar energy, and found it easy working together.
Eventually Mac made the decision to leave his 9 to 5. He had a top level role in Wi-Fi consultancy but wanted freedom. With their second baby on the way, both he and Maggie wanted to build something of their own and step into property full time.
They asked if I’d consider partnering up to build something bigger and go at this full-force. We all saw the value in each other and backed what we each brought to the table.
That’s how ZEN Stays started.
After 12 months together, we now run a six-figure (soon to be seven) business. We’re finalising the purchase of our first property in the Cotswolds, estimated GDV £1.2 million. We’re operating at a high level with a very lean team. Tight systems with everyone pulling their weight.
Why It Works
I’m not great at design. I’m pretty awful to be honest. I’m also not the most organised person in the world. Spreadsheets, backend systems, attention to detail - that stuff doesn’t come naturally to me.
But Mac and Maggie are the opposite. That’s their strength. Mac’s brilliant with layout and design, especially the guest experience side. Maggie’s solid with numbers, structure, and compliance. Together they handle everything I don’t, which frees me up to stay focused on what I am good at - sourcing, sales, negotiations, and building relationships.
Focus on what you’re good at. That’s what makes a partnership efficient. It’s not about doing everything yourself. It’s about doing your part really well and trusting others to do the same.
Over the years I’ve had plenty of people approach me wanting to partner up, which is a great sign you are doing something right. When you stay consistent, deliver results, and show up every day, that naturally attracts interest.
But not everyone’s cut from the same cloth.
Some of these people didn’t align with how I work or what I value. They were cutting corners, doing things on the cheap, chasing quick wins with no regard for quality. And that’s just not me. I believe in building something long term.
We’re value-driven - in how we source properties, in the way we treat landlords, in how we design properties, and in the guest experience we create. Every detail is thought through because that’s what leads to consistent results. Reputation travels. You want to be known as someone who does things right. That’s how you get long-term rewards, strong relationships, recommendations, and opportunities that others don’t.
Game recognises game. And quality attracts quality.
Same Goals, Same Direction
Skills are one thing. But if you’re not aligned on where you’re heading, there will be no longevity in the partnership.
If one person wants to scale fast and the other wants to take it slow, or one sees the business as a short term project and the other sees it as a long term legacy, that’ll create problems.
Have these tough conversations early with any potential partner. Don’t leave it until you’re already deep in and things are tense.
Final Thoughts
If you’re thinking about partnering up, ask yourself:
Do they bring something different to the table?
Can I trust them to deliver?
Are we aligned on values and long term vision?
When it works, a partnership can take you further and get you there way faster. You share the highs and the lows together.
But it only works when it’s built on:
Trust and transparency
Respect
Complementary skill sets
Shared direction
Pro tip: Put in the work first. Become valuable. And the right people will find you.
