Will you invest to your friend's business?

@reco13 (605)
Philippines
March 16, 2011 4:10am CST
recently, a friend of mine put up a business and asks me to invest some money in the business. I declined her offer and she got mad. I know she has the reason to get mad and I understand her but she should have also understood my reason. I am not willing to invest on business I/my family was not the one who put up. This is because if the business failed, I can't blame my friend. What about my money? It's gone with the business. I also do not want to trust other people when it comes to money. Cause however close friends you are, when money is involved, everything is possible. This includes breaking the friendship. I hope you understand what I mean. How about you? Share your experience...
3 people like this
16 responses
@cloud31 (5809)
16 Mar 11
You made the right decision,if I were you, I would definitely do the same.Those kind of situation will cause some disagreement sometimes can ruin friendships. When money is involved it easily turn up friendship into hatred and dishonesty.I seldom talk about money to friends as I'm aware of its cause and outcome.Money sometimes is a root of evil.Most friendship turns sour when money is involve. I have an experience its not about a business but to lend out some money to friends its hard to ask them back.So I just wait for voluntarily time for them to pay back as once I ask them,that makes them think wrong about me.So isn't money is difficult to manage when friendship is involved? So if possible I don't want to speak about money with friends. Have a nice day...Happy myLotting!
@reco13 (605)
• Philippines
16 Mar 11
Yes, that's right. I have also tried lending money many times to different friends and all of them have broken their word when it comes to paying back. This made me learn my lesson.
@cloud31 (5809)
16 Mar 11
Thank you ..
@ebuscat (5935)
• Philippines
17 Mar 11
For me not to invest so that you relationship would not brake up because good not to invest the person you know time will come they feel lack of respect.
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
17 Mar 11
Hi. reco13. If I feel as if the business is going somewhere, I would invest in it. If I feel as if my friend is getting themselves into a bind or a jam, I may decline from investing into their business. Some friends would rather see a business booming before they put any money out. Your friend should not have gotten mad about this. I guess she wanted your moral support and she felt that you were not giving her any since you declined to invest into her business. But that is a friendship for you...
@junrapmian (2169)
• Philippines
17 Mar 11
You are right, sometimes long time friendship are broken because of money matters. Just tell your friend that you are not ready yet to venture into a business and you don't have enough capital for it.
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
17 Mar 11
Well it really depends if the project is feasible and profitable. If not, any friend of mine cannot require me to invest in his business. I think your friend shouldn't be angry with you because that is your decision and she should understand that it is your money. It is your call, not hers to make.
• China
17 Mar 11
I don't understand why your friend got mad. You have right to accept or decline her offer, but i don't think it should influence your friendship. For me, business is business, friend is friend, they have no relationship. When my friend ask me to invest, i should consider whether this investment can brings profits. If it is profitable, with no doubt i would invest. And before i decide to invest, i have to discuss with my friend who ask me to invest and make some contracts to assure my money's safety as possible.
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
16 Mar 11
I agree with you, one of the best ways to lose a friendship in to go into business with them and also to lend money...one should never lend money you can not afford for it not to be returned...I think you did the wise thing.
@myempress (185)
• Philippines
16 Mar 11
Sometimes I hear that people when they have a business idea, they ask friends and family for capital. I say this is a bad idea. The reasons are simple. No business plan is bullet proof. And to be exact, before you start your business, this plan is untested. You don't know if it works. If your friend asks you to invest on her business, you are more likely to give it to her. However she may put you at risk of losing your money and each others respect. A bank of investment capitalist will review her proposed ideas in much more strict way. Maybe you as her friend often don't have the experience to review her stuff. You have the right to refuse her proposal, so i'd say there's nothing wrong with what you did. She will understand it later on.
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
16 Mar 11
Money can really break a lot of relationships, friendships included. As much as possible I wouldn't go into business with a friend. I don't want to risk our friendship. Although I haven't personally experienced going into business with a friend, I've heard a lot of stories of friendships turning sour because of failed businesses. But on the other hand, whom would you entrust your investment to? A mere acquaintance or a friend? Big dilemma.
@damned_dle (3942)
• Philippines
16 Mar 11
Business is business! Well, it really depends on what kind of business, and if it looks like a nice business, then sure, I would! But I won't do it just because she/he is my friend.
• Philippines
16 Mar 11
I think what you did is only right. Who would invest on something you're not sure tht'll truly return your investments. That's just like giving away money. And let me tell you, money is very important. I'm sure every single person knows that. What your friend is offering is very risky. If your investments were'nt returned as thy promised with profit, you will only have conflict in the end. A person can't be called a friend if he or she is only taking advantage of what you have for his or her own benefit.
@SIMPLYD (90721)
• Philippines
17 Mar 11
Why would your friend get mad at you if you don't like to invest in her business? Whether or not you invest , her business should be able to stand alone, if it is really that profitable, don't you think so too? You are right, it's your money so you should be so discerning on what and where to invest it. I think just like you too. When it comes to money , i don't want to trust other people because anything is possible.
• India
17 Mar 11
yes what are u saying is right when we friendship with others they got business even they put ours towards the business if the business gains there is something to do if the business falls what they do they do anything just they fight for the money. If we make friendship only for friends not for the money in friendship if the money is involved it causes a great disasters. In my life i never trust a friend infront of my friend also beacuse money makes things it ruing our lives. In the mean time i am my friend got some business and we doing th business i invest some amount of money towards that business and he is also invest towards that business but the give me only 30 percent share and then totally 70 percent share he took away. At that time i am asking time what about the 20 percent money he tried to tell me i am doing work hard but u are only invest the most but u are not doing workhard so this percentage for u and the reamining for me he said like that at that time i never talk about money and whether they are asking to me if we do certain business we got plenty of money through partener ship partener is the main problem through friendship in the mean time all people are seeing thinking the friendship towards the money.
@Tzakgr (46)
• Greece
16 Mar 11
I would invest only if he was a good friend of mine and knew him many years and if there were a future on his business..Thats what i could do...
@jaiho2009 (39141)
• Philippines
16 Mar 11
I do. I trust my friend and i knew my friend well,so i don't have any doubt investing money with her.
@damned_dle (3942)
• Philippines
16 Mar 11
Business is business! Well, it really depends on what kind of business, and if it looks like a nice business, then sure, I would! But I won't do it just because she/he is my friend.