Looking for opinions

[Atomic]

I'm ready to leave the business my Dad and I started and am currently a partner with my older brother, as my Dad passed away almost 14 years ago. It is an incorporated business.It started out as a regular machine shop, now we do all kinds of custom machining, prototypes, automated machinery etc.I do 95% of the tooling and machinery design and detailing, from initial customer contact to finished product, all of the quoting and most of the office duties.My brother looks after some of the machining duties, I assign the work and look after ordering material and components etc.My question is this:I informed my brother this week that I no longer wish to work here, as we just don't get along. (There is a lot more to it than just that).I am still going to see customers, quoting work and trying to schedule delivery dates, but since I won't be here when some of these projects require design and finish detailing, should I be feeling guilty for leaving?There isn't anyone else that can take over my position, we've gone through five designers in the last six years, none of them are willing to work with my brother.I don't want to tell our existing customers that I am leaving yet, as there are some legal things that have to happen first.I haven't found another job yet, or applied for anything, I'm afraid that once the word gets out that I'm looking, it could have a negative effect on the business.There are opportunities out there for me, some are fairly close to where I live and work now.Any comments?

[drunkenmaxx]

i say hire someone and train them thuroughly on how to do your job. it would take off a lot of workload from your shoulders. sounds to me like you have a pretty lucradive business going, and it would probably be difficult to make the kind of money you do now working for someone else, as opposed to being the big dog.

[northvibe]

I say you need to do whats best for you. Just make sure if you leave to do so on a good note with everyone. Im sure people understand if its known that working with your brother is hard. If you stay could you hire someone to help out like drunken said?

[scherry2]

buy your brother out or fire him. since he is only doing 5% of the work. as a rule of thumb: never work with a relative or inlaw. they always hold your personal relationship over you. and in a business world that is downfall #1.my $.02

[ZubenElGenubi]

Quote, originally posted by scherry2 »buy your brother out or fire him. since he is only doing 5% of the work. +1. That was to be my suggestion. Offer him a year's salary on top of his investment in the company, regardless of his contributions. You don't want to burn that bridge.Quote, originally posted by scherry2 »as a rule of thumb: never work with a relative or inlaw. they always hold your personal relationship over you. and in a business world that is downfall #1.This is anecdotal and you can find extreme examples of success and failure here.It wasn't clear whether you wanted to leave because you don't like the work or the environment. If the former, then you should offer to sell your share of the business to your brother, then consider closing the doors if he's not interested.

[Atomic]

As far as the money thing goes, in the last two years, both he and I have redeemed close to $20,000 each from our RRSPs when we have had cash shortfalls, in order to make payroll, and payroll tax deductions.It doesn't look like I will ever get that money back.There are weeks (like this week) when I can't cash my paycheque, because we are so tight with our operating line of credit with the bank.But the employees get paid (that's important to me, not him), and they get their raises, too.I don't have the cash or financing ability or even the desire to buy him out, this isn't the same company my Dad and I started in 1978.If it was my choice, and I have tried to discuss this with him, that I think we should close, and sell the equipment.I could go and work for someone else, not have the financial headaches and worries, and make more money than I am now, (I am making less than the skilled trades guys) which seems completely backwards, but it's just the way it is in this small business.I would lose the autonomy, and I wouldn't have the same type of freedom that I have now, but then again I might NOT have to work 12 hours a day, five days a week, and every Saturday just trying to keep up.I agree with the "Never work with a relative", as in my case my brother is a total type 1 personality, and is never wrong, and when he is, it's my fault because I didn't give him enough information.As an example of his behaviour, any time we get a cash job for doing walk-in jobs etc, (usually in the $100 or $200 range), we split the money evenly, no matter who did the work.He neglected to give me a share for a large fireplace surround he welded for one of the local native tribal rooms, and instead purchased 3,000 shares in an internet data sharing company, with all of the shares in his name.When I confronted him on this, he went ballistic, and said it was none of my business he spent his money and I should mind my own business.Even now, he is machining motorcycle parts that he sells on the net, using material that the company pays for, and the shop CNC machines.That also is "none of your business, and it shouldn't concern you what I do in my own spare time". My brother and I don't socialize, and he burned that bridge a long time ago.The work I enjoy, a lot. Figuring out problems, designing stuff and then building it is a real challenge, and great fun for me.It's the environment with him that sucks.The employees we have now are good guys, and that is one of the difficult things about leaving, since I strongly believe he can't run the place without me.I feel a sense of loyalty to them, yet my own sense of well-being, and my psychological and physical health should be a priority.

[SeattleJeremy]

This is going to sound harsh, and I apologies up front for that.Is there anyway you can fire your brother? Only doing 5% of the work is one thing, but not getting along with employees and Stealing from you is really big! Maybe if you didn't have that black hole of an employee your business would make more money.

[Atomic]

I will transfer my shares in the company to my Mom, she has all of the controlling shares from my Dad.I have to find out how much I am going to have to pay to clear my portion of the debt, and the lawyer's fees for the share transfer and my resignation as a director.For something that should be SO simple, it's turning out to be a lot of crap to get through.The family conflict aspect is negligible, there is only me and him and our Mom in the business.My wife and two kids (23 and 16), feel this will be a good thing for me and us, as I seem a little lighter after making this decision.I hope to be gone within two months or so, how the business does after that won't be my worry.Thanks to all for the input.

[slvrvibes]

Good luck and I hope it all goes well.

[Atomic]

I start a new job on Monday Nov 13.I'll be doing CAD design only, straight days, no weekends (for now), and I'll be gone from the stress and blood-letting occuring here.I think my dad would understand and approve.It's difficult to go, but staying would kill me, physically and emotionally.My wife is very happy, my 23 year-old daughter started to cry (tears of joy) when she was told. My son is also happy, both for me, and the fact that he just started working at a part time job.

[BlueCrush]

Congrats and good luck, from a fellow cad designer/draftsman.

[Mrizzle05]

^^ ditto.Congrats and hope all goes well.

[zionzr2]

Congrats on the new Job.Best Wishes!!