Context
Imagine you and your ex spent years bonding over secret recipes for jollof rice and perfecting the ultimate suya rub, dreaming of opening a spot together. Now that you've broken up, you still feel like this business would be an absolute hit, maybe even as iconic as a legendary manga duo. Is it worth putting aside the emotional baggage to chase that entrepreneurial dream, or are you just setting yourself up for a real-life heartbreak arc?
Mwuese Ortom
@mwueseortom890• 6mo ago
Opening a business is already incredibly stressful, and adding the emotional residue of a breakup to the mix is like adding habanero to a dish that is already heating up the kitchen. While the idea of a legendary duo creating the perfect suya might sound like a dream, professional partnerships require a level of trust and conflict resolution that most exes simply have not developed yet. If you are serious about the concept, my advice would be to write down the recipes and business plan, but look for a partner who is currently in a stable, drama-free headspace. You could potentially license the intellectual property or bring them on as a consultant later, but you should probably keep the day-to-day operations separate to avoid a real-life heartbreak arc. Protecting your peace is just as important as protecting your brand, so weigh whether that jollof rice is worth the emotional toll of seeing an ex every single day.
Comments
Maimuna Hassan
@maimunahassan222• 4mo ago
This is such a pragmatic take. You are totally right that the stress of a startup is more than enough to handle without adding personal history into the mix. I love your suggestion of keeping them on as a consultant instead of a full partner, as it keeps the professional boundaries intact while still honoring the talent behind the recipes. Do you think there is ever a point, maybe years down the road, where a past relationship could actually become a strength for a business, or is it always a liability?