The Founder’s Zodiac – Find a Compatible Business Partner Based on Your Sign

Summer stargazers, welcome. We are still here, caught in the middle a global pandemic. We’re trying to get back to normal. As life progresses, we see the strength of the human spirit in those who are able to move ahead or change their course. Even now, new ideas are emerging. Is it time for you to take action?

This month’s installment of The Founder’s Zodiac is about business partnerships. Should you Launch your Idea Alone or with a Co-Founder? Where and how do you search for business partners? Based on your Founder Sign, which partner is best for your big idea? Take our compatibility quiz and find your perfect match. All stars are aligning!

Because of their optimism and growth mindset, mountaineers are ideal business partners for many signs.

The Mountaineer is our feature sign for this month. This natural extravert thrives in company with others. Mountaineers are ideal business partners for all signs, even other Mountaineers, due to their optimism, social nature, and growth mindset.

How to find a business partner

Sometimes, co-founder relationships arise out of friendships or romance partnerships. Other times they are strictly business. Here are some places you might find them if you’re trying to start a company with a partner.

• Your professional network.Are you familiar with someone who has the same qualities as you? To show that you are open to networking opportunities, reach out to others and keep your LinkedIn profile up to date.
• Your school or alma matter.It could be a sign of how compatible you are to co-founders if you have a working relationship with former classmates. School is an ideal place to start small businesses if you are still in school. What is the best way to test your ideas and partners compatibility in a group project.
• Meetings and conferencesIf you are aMountaineer?TrailblazerOrFirestarterThis is the ideal environment for your personality. For potential co-founders in your industry, attend events both digitally and in person.
• Friends of friends.Take a step beyond your professional and personal networks. Are there people you would like to meet? Ask for an introduction. Ask for an introduction.
• Apps for networkingThis is a great way to meet potential partners and co-founders outside of your existing networks, but it won’t happen until in-person events are resumed.CartographersAndOutsiders. You can start by using networking apps such as Shapr and Bumble Bizz to meet like-minded people. There are many social media platforms that allow you to find business partners, such as Facebook’s entrepreneur communities.

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What should you look for in a cofounder

Consider the advantages of having a partner instead of launching and growing your business on your own. Are you able to do the work alone? Do you lack experience in certain areas or perspective? Are you able to work with others? It is important to understand the level of partner you are looking for. Do you want an equal collaborator? Or someone who plays a more behind-the scenes role?

Respect, trust, and communication are the foundation of business partnerships

Respect, trust, and communication are the foundation of business partnerships. This foundation is essential for building a partnership that can withstand the inevitable bumps along the way to success.

This is not dissimilar to romantic relationships. Although there is no evidence to support this, it’s not impossible to see how attitudes and similarities can be used to create romantic relationships. Studies generally agree that opposites attract and that relationships that last are more likely to be successful due to the similarities between the partners. You can choose to use the “opposites attract”, or the “birds-of-a-feather” approach to finding a partner. But it is important that you understand the pros and cons of each.

Opposites attract

ProsPotential for complementary skills and perspectives, greater pool of ideas, greater coverage of different aspects of business

ConsPossible disagreements over brand direction or vision, friction from opposing views on how to run the business day-to-day

 

Birds of feather flock together

Pros: Greater chance of agreement on the overall plan and vision, communication styles, and similar motivations

Cons: There are potential for missed opportunities. Not enough “devil’s advocate” to identify weaknesses in the plan, gaps between skill sets, and strengths.

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Test of compatibility between business partners

Which signs make you the most compatible for co-founders or business partners? We need to get to know you a bit better. To find your perfect match, take our 2-minute compatibility test. Then, read on to learn how to make a partnership work based on your personality type.