Business Partners: How Do You Find Good Ones?

by Julianne Hiltbrunner.
(United States)

Gemstone Cuff Bracelet

I have been making custom sterling silver jewelry for 7 years. Most of my customer “google” certain words and come upon my website or blog. Usually the customer wants a custom jewelry piece with hand engraving.

Hand Engraved Peace and Love Ring

I have some cast designs that I hand carved but many of my custom orders are hand built and soldered. I would like to focus on designing and have someone else help me build this into a profitable business, and a business that will outlive my ability to hand produce each jewelry piece. I used to meet a lot of people on Twitter and had a good flow of sales rolling in but, now that Twitter is so heavy business traffic I don’t make many sales this way anymore.

Peridot Basket Setting Ring

It’s great when orders come in but need many more orders. I’ve been trying to think of ways to get more business coming in. One thing that might help is to find a business partner. I don’t know the first thing about finding a like minded entrepreneur with which we can make this business grow.
I’d love to hear ideas and experiences… the upsides and the downsides of having a business partnership.
Thanks,

Julianne Hiltbrunner
Silversmyth
Silversmyth at Facebook