So what are you saying now? You're not going to give me the money? |club|

What are his reasons for starting up his own paysite? Is he strictly looking for independence? If not, how much do you value the potential of his ideas? Enough to work with him in a partnership, knowing you'll be responsible for a good portion of the work in the end?

Personally, I've always valued good ideas above most anything else. But maybe that's cuz I don't think of myself as having the most dedicated work ethic. |loony| However, I know most of my ideas to be bad ideas. In order for me to know the difference I have to share my ideas with people I trust - the kind of people who have a work ethic higher than my own.

Maybe a situation where the two of you pit each other's strengths/weaknesses against each other might prove beneficial for both of you.

Sure I'd return the favour of assistance and contacts/whatnot. But not money, I consider that kinda rude. Esp if the reasoning behind asking for a loan/funds was because you were helped.

-N

Agreed.

While there are plenty of things you could do for the person who helped you out, I personally would probably draw the line at money. Under the circumstances you described, that is.

If I thought the person was a ball of fire, with a program that would rake in the cash, loaning money might be a consideration.

If he is an ideas man then I would consider this:
Its people that make a succesful business not ideas. A hundred people can have a great idea but only one exceptional person would succeed.

If this guy has problems seeing things through then the WORST thing you could do is give him an easy ride by giving him the money. It takes away all the pressure because if he fails he loses your money not his. If however he has to raise the capital himself there is a much better chance he will see this through to the end and motivate himself a lot more. And you can always be there to offer a helping hand in the tough times. I have not been in the business long but I know starting an affiliate program would be fucking hard and that a helping hand would be worth its weight in gold.

From the amount of help you have given back to the adult WM community you need not feel guilty about not giving this guy money. The adult WM community is getting harder and harder to break into for newbies and if it was not for the help and advice of people like you so many webmasters would have failed. I have so many of your posts bookmarked and a few saved radio shows of yours too. You've already helped me quite a lot and I'm probably one of atleast a few hundred.

Think of all the webmasters you have helped over the years and what they would say if you asked them for a substantial loan for a questionable business idea. I could imagine getting a free linkback off many of the people you've helped would be hard enough!

Just a quick question that no one seems to of asked. How much where the buisness contacts worth? Did they single handidly catapult you to sucess? was this something that really only that person could do?

Where those contacts worth $10,000 or however much he is asking? Is there another way to repay him? Why not show him a few of your contacts that could potientially make him the money he needs? 10k is a big investment, did he try the bank, why didn't they loan it to him?

I'm a bit shrewd when it comes to deals, and even more when it comes from friends. I've always been over generious, and try to give back twice that of which was given to me. I do, however, like to know who i'm getting into bed width and why. I always ask myself 3 questions. What would he do if the situations where reversed? What do i have to sacrafice for this? and what can i give back thats in the same realm of what he gave me? It seems that the last questions answer would be to find him some contacts, and help him get his idea off the ground. 10k doesn't get an idea off the ground, hardwork and dedication do. 10k just mearly buys the resources in which to start.

Personally, I am extremely loyal to my friends. There is nothing that I generally wouldn't do for them and in the biz sense I will provide my services, contacts, references, equipment, tools, whatever.... no problem, no questions. BUT, if cash is involved the answer is generally no without the caveat of my having a percentage and if its major cash or the major portion then I have to have the major percentage... bottom line. Generally, if the person is that "on fire" then he shouldn't have a problem of getting cash and is just being lazy.

I also always remember this: friends screw you much less often but it always hurts more! |cry| IMHO