Who it's for
Business partners who want to build something together — and grow stronger doing it. Starting out, years in, or ready to take things to the next level.
You're building the foundation
You trust each other, which is a strong place to begin. Now turn that trust into a plan: who's contributing what, how decisions get made, what each of you expects, and what happens when the business changes. Build the structure while the relationship is strong.
You're ready to grow further
The business works, but your arrangement may still live in a handshake, a few old emails, or assumptions you've never compared. Nothing has to be broken. Align now so a new opportunity, a changing role, or a bigger decision creates momentum instead of friction.
You've hit a rough patch, and you want to fix it
You've built something real, and lately it's been harder. Maybe the work feels uneven, money conversations got tense, or you've drifted on where the business is headed. You still want this to work. That's the best time to sit down, say what each of you actually expects, and reset the plan together. If someone has already decided to leave, that's a job for lawyers. If you all still want to make it work, start here.
Every kind of partnership
Friends and family
Trust is already there, which is why so much goes unsaid. Protect the relationship by putting expectations in writing.
Spouses and couples
Keep business decisions and home life from blurring together with clear roles and money rules.
Trade and service partners
Contractors, agencies, clinics, studios: agree on who brings in work, who does it, and how it's paid.
Adding a new partner
Bring someone new in without leaving them to guess at years of handshake deals.
Two or more partners
Every partner answers for themselves, and questions about each person's role and contributions are asked individually.
First-time founders
Starting something new? Settle ownership, roles, and decisions before the first big test.
It works best when
- Both of you actually want to do it. One person dragging the other gets you nowhere.
- You're willing to write down what you really think, not what keeps the peace.
- You're prepared to find out you disagree about something, and to work it out.
When this isn't the right tool
Stay Partners works when everyone wants to make it work. That might be two of three partners, not necessarily all of you. If someone has decided to leave, or there's a dispute over money, each of you needs a lawyer. It isn't legal advice.
Your MOU today. Your operating agreement is coming soon.