Latest news with #businesspartnership
Entrepreneur
03-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Don't Let the Wrong Vendor Derail Your Business — Here's What to Check First
Think your shortlist of potential vendors is solid? Here's why you might want to double-check. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Choosing the right service provider — whether for UX design, software development or tech consulting — can quietly define the success or failure of your business. Your timeline, your budget, your product quality, your customer experience — all of it can hinge on who you bring in. The moment you invite an external partner into your business, you're handing them partial control of your brand's reputation. Yet too many founders treat the vendor selection process like a checklist item instead of the strategic risk decision it actually is. Here's how to approach it differently — and avoid the costly mistakes that come from rushing into the wrong partnership. Don't shake the first hand that reaches out Founders often make one of two critical errors when hiring vendors: rushing the process or delegating it too far downstream. Either one can lead to a domino effect of issues — missed deadlines, ballooning costs, unhappy customers. When a project fails, it usually comes down to one of two things: time or money. And both are directly influenced by the vendor you choose. Here's why vendor relationships go wrong: The team looks great on paper, but lacks context. Many agencies — even expensive ones — deliver generic solutions because they never take the time to truly understand your goals. Their scale doesn't match yours. Hiring a freelancer for a complex platform or an enterprise firm for a simple app is a recipe for misalignment. You never defined success together. Without shared KPIs or expectations, you're flying blind. No one's accountable, and it's hard to course-correct. Related: The Secret to a Successful Sale — Expert Tips to Navigate Common Deal Derailers Six things to check before you hire a vendor These six checkpoints come from working with clients who came to us after failed vendor relationships. Miss just one, and you risk months of delays — or worse. 1. Don't just glance at testimonials — verify them Look for recent, specific reviews on independent platforms like Clutch or G2. Better yet, ask for references and call past clients. A 10-minute conversation will often tell you more than a case study. 2. Scan the portfolio — but go deeper A pretty portfolio isn't enough. Look for projects similar in scope or industry, and ask to see live examples. Bonus points if their work blends disciplines (like healthtech + e-commerce) — modern products often cross sectors. 3. Look beyond the tech stack A laundry list of tools doesn't prove expertise. What matters is how and why they recommend certain tools for your challenge. Do they show deep understanding and provide context behind decisions? 4. Evaluate real-time communication, not just the pitch If the early calls feel vague, trust your gut. Don't just talk to the salesperson — ask to meet the actual delivery team. Gauge responsiveness, clarity, timezone overlap and cultural fit. 5. Demand thoughtful estimates, not quick quotes The best vendors won't rush a proposal. They'll flag risks, offer alternatives, and explain their logic. If they challenge your assumptions, that's a good sign — not a red flag. 6. Match budget to vendor profile Beware of bids that seem too low — they often come with hidden costs later. Similarly, if you're a small fish for a large firm, you might land in their "low priority" bucket. The right vendor aligns with your scope and growth trajectory. Related: Don't Fall For These Tricks: 5 Things You Shouldn't Do When Selling a Business Choosing a vendor is a strategic decision, not a task Choosing the wrong vendor doesn't just cost money — it eats time, erodes momentum and damages trust. Doubt isn't weakness; it's your best tool for avoiding misalignment. Be skeptical. Ask hard questions. Insist on clarity. And most importantly: don't settle. Your vendor becomes part of your company's story. Make sure it's a chapter you'll be proud of.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Luke Parry and Andrea Harris Jr. Team Up to Disrupt Digital-First Industries
NEW YORK CITY, NY / / June 17, 2025 / Influencer Luke Parry and entrepreneur Andrea Harris Jr. have officially announced a strategic business partnership that aims to reshape the digital landscape. With plans to launch a series of ventures spanning fashion, social technology and influencer marketing, the duo intends to capitalize on some of the fastest-growing sectors in today's economy. The collaboration marks a significant milestone for both Parry and Harris Jr., combining creative influence with operational expertise to build what they describe as "a portfolio of brands designed for the future of consumer behavior." A Digital-Era Alliance Parry, known for his cinematic content, emotional storytelling and influential presence across social platforms, brings a powerful cultural pulse to the partnership. Harris Jr., a strategist and product developer with a background in early-stage startups and brand architecture, brings the operational clarity and business infrastructure necessary to scale quickly. "We're not just launching products-we're launching ecosystems," Harris Jr. said. "Everything we do is designed to connect, convert and cultivate long-term consumer relationships." The partnership will center around three key verticals: fashion, dating and digital influence. Each reflects both the cultural relevance of their personal brands and the broader economic trends fueling growth in these industries. Targeting High-Growth Markets The fashion sector is expected to exceed $1.2 trillion globally by 2027, with significant growth coming from direct-to-consumer models, gender-fluid design and sustainability-focused brands. Parry and Harris Jr. intend to leverage this momentum by launching a fashion brand that centers individuality, self-expression and eco-conscious production. "The fashion industry is overdue for reinvention," Parry said. "Consumers want transparency, story and design they can see themselves in. We're going to deliver that." Equally high on their agenda is the dating and relationship technology space, which has seen explosive demand in recent years. According to Statista, the global online dating market is projected to surpass $12 billion by 2030, fueled by younger users seeking more personalized, secure and experience-driven platforms. Parry and Harris Jr. plan to launch a new dating app that focuses on compatibility, conversation and community-pushing back against the often impersonal swipe-based culture of traditional apps. "We're creating something that fosters genuine connection," Harris Jr. said. "This isn't gamification. It's human-first technology." Influencer Marketing 2.0 In addition to launching consumer-facing products, the pair intends to build out a new model for influencer marketing-one that prioritizes authenticity, long-term partnerships and co-creation. With global influencer marketing spend projected to reach $32 billion by 2026, they see an opportunity to set a new standard. The partnership includes plans to develop proprietary tools that connect creators with brands through transparent, equity-based relationships. "We understand this space from both sides," Parry said. "We've been the talent. We've built the content. Now we're building the infrastructure." The goal is to support emerging influencers while also helping legacy brands connect to new audiences more effectively. Designed for Longevity While the ventures are still in early stages, both founders emphasized that the long-term vision is to build enduring brands-not momentary hype. Each business under their collaboration will follow a phased launch strategy, with beta testing and community involvement playing a central role in development. The duo has already begun assembling a cross-disciplinary advisory team of technologists, designers and brand operators. "We're playing the long game," Harris Jr. said. "This is about solving real problems and building value at scale." Consumer-Centric, Value-Driven Whether in fashion, dating or digital influence, the partners share a deep focus on user experience, ethical practices and cultural relevance. They aim to build not just brands-but belief systems that consumers can trust and participate in. By staying agile and focused on underserved markets, they believe they can create category-defining experiences that resonate with a new generation of consumers. Looking Ahead As anticipation builds, Parry and Harris Jr. will spend the next several months developing brand strategy, platform infrastructure and early partnerships ahead of phased launches beginning in 2026. Public announcements and product previews are expected later this year, with early access opportunities available to subscribers through their forthcoming platform. "This is the future of brand-building," Parry said. "It's bold. It's personal. And it's just the beginning." About Luke ParryLuke Parry is a digital creator and cultural voice known for his emotional storytelling and distinctive visual style. His content has garnered a loyal following across multiple platforms, and he is widely regarded as one of the next-generation leaders in content-driven commerce. About Andrea Harris Harris Jr. is an entrepreneur, strategist and advisor with a background in building scalable businesses across technology, fashion and consumer marketing. He specializes in brand incubation, digital infrastructure and venture growth. Contact: Jake Bodiford mgmt@ SOURCE: Harris & Parry LLP View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Times of Oman
15-06-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
President of Cyprus receiving PM Modi reflective of strong ties: MEA
Larnaca: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Cyprus on his first visit to the Mediterranean country on Sunday. Upon his arrival, he was received by the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called the "special gesture" reflective of strong mutual ties. He provided details of the interactions which PM Modi will hold in Cyprus. The details were shared by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a video message on X. "Our ties with Cyprus is historic, warm and enduring. Today, on arrival at the airport, he was received by the President of Cyprus. This is reflective of how strong our ties are. This was a special gesture from the Cyprus side," he said. He informed that PM Modi and President Christodoulides would address a business roundtable to discuss ideas for strengthening the India-Cyprus business partnership. He noted that the business partnership would explore newer areas of engagement such as "data, innovation, digital payments, shipbuilding, ports". "Prime Minister will receive a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace after which he will have delegation level talks and press engagement and thereafter he will depart Cyprus for his next destination," he informed. Signficantly, MEA Spokesperson informed that the President Christodoulides will host a banquet luncheon in honour of Prime Minister, "Today in the evening he (President Christodoulides) is hosting a private dinner for Prime Minister." Prime Minister Modi on Sunday received a heartfelt welcome from the Indian diaspora in Limassol, as he arrived in Cyprus as part of his three-nation tour, including Canada and Croatia. PM Modi was seen being greeted by the diaspora with bouquets as he arrived at his hotel and the Prime Minister also engaged with the diaspora, exchanging greetings and acknowledging their support. It is the first-ever visit by an Indian PM to the Mediterranean nation. His arrival is being described as a historic moment by both Indian and Cypriot diplomatic sources. In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi thanked the Indian community for their affection. He wrote, "I thank the Indian community for the affection. India will keep working to deepen ties with Cyprus in the times to come." PM Modi, accompanied by a large delegation of around 100 officials, is visiting Cyprus at the invitation of President Nicos Christodoulides. The visit holds significance as Cyprus has been a consistent supporter of India's positions on Kashmir, cross-border terrorism, and reforms in the United Nations Security Council. Cyprus takes over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union from January 1. The visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of the two countries to deepen bilateral ties and strengthen India's engagement with the Mediterranean region and the European Union.
Forbes
01-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
NYC Tech Week Offers Lessons For Creating Successful Startup Partnerships
It's Tech Week 2025 in New York City and is the place for startups, companies and venture capitalists to network during hundreds of privately hosted events across the city. New York Stock Exchange's Celebration of Entrepreneurs event with Stifel on June 2nd will be a hot ticket. The event is honoring New York-based entrepreneurs and investors Kass and Mike Lazerow. The Lazerows are the husband-and-wife duo behind the successful startups Buddy Media and as well as investing in more than 100 startups like Liquid Death. The Lazerows spent the last year capturing their secrets of success in their book Shoveling $h!t: A Love Story About the Entrepreneur's Messy Path to Success. I had the opportunity to interview the couple prior to the event. It's no surprise that one of their secret weapons is building strong partnerships. The duo is not the first married couple to have a successful partnership in business and in life. The comparison between business and relationship partners is an apt one. Both require partners to get along with each other, learn how to manage stress and tough times, and hope for a successful and fruitful future. And both can get messy sometimes, as the Lazerows humorously and candidly detail in their upcoming book. Below are the lessons they shared on a critical question: how to choose the right business partner. Whether you are an entrepreneur or an established company seeking a strategic business partner to grow your business, the advice below will help you find partners that can guide you to new heights. There are several important elements of a successful business collaboration, including the concept, business plan, and cash flow. For Mike, one element stands out as the most important factor. 'The most important decision that a founder makes after they decide to start a company is who they start it with,' he shared in the interview. The Lazerows are passionate about this answer based on multiple experiences. Mike shared an interesting perspective: you often don't understand the importance of this lesson until you make the mistake of not getting it right. Mike recalled teaming with visionary artist Jonathan Cramer. Mike and Cramer were friends outside of business and Mike was excited to support his friend's business venture. Jonathan and Mike teamed up to bring Jonathan's concept, known as Shape Matrix, to market. But despite the momentum and investors, the commercial applications they'd developed never took off. Mike believes that the relationship between the co-founders—and their different visions for the partnership—was the main reason the startup never flourished. Mike is a serial entrepreneur, and Jonathan is a gifted artist. 'Let's just say we were not the most compatible co-founders, and the company suffered because of it,' he said. They approached the partnership from different perspectives, and as Mike now recognizes, they should have talked more deeply to ensure that they were both on the same page. The good news is they recognized this and were able to part ways amicably – something that does not always happen. Starting a business as the sole founder is an excellent approach for many entrepreneurs. In fact, companies with solo founders often survive longer and generate more revenue than businesses launched with multiple founders. But not all entrepreneurs have the skills needed to go it alone. While solopreneurs have more freedom, they're also left to do more by themselves, and risk and responsibility are entirely on their shoulders. It can be helpful to share the entrepreneurial burden—especially if you make a wise choice for your business partner. It's no surprise, then, that some of the world's leading companies have multiple founding partners. Microsoft and Apple, for example. Or Cisco and Clif Bar. But before taking the leap to starting a company with another co-founder, the Lazerows stress the importance of asking a series of questions: By asking the right questions, partners can make sure they're truly aligned and avoid potential issues. That's not to say that co-founders should be carbon copies of each other. While co-founders should have things in common with each other, such as values and respect, they should also possess complementary skills, perspectives, and strengths too, as Kass says, to 'fill in your gaps. Simply put, business partners should understand their strengths—and play to them—while allowing their collaborators' talents to shine. Kass compares partners leading a company to guiding a boat. One partner is at the front looking for land, while the other is trying to get everybody to paddle at the same speed and in the right direction. Kass stressed that successful companies have teams that don't worry about each other's work. 'There's this implicit trust, which I think is massive, and the leaders of the company specifically know what they don't know,' she said. She continued, adding that successful entrepreneurs 'recognize they know what they don't know and are not intimidated by working closely with partners that know more than they do.' This helps avoid micromanagement which is often a cause of tension and frustration. For Mike and Kass, ensuring alignment of vision and values is essential to help business founders create a successful partnership. They stress spending lots of time asking questions like 'What do you want to accomplish together?' and 'What are the principles that you hold dear?' Culture—a team's shared beliefs, customs and behaviors—is another must-have, noting you can't spell culture without 'cult.' 'When you're running a company, how you create and disseminate the values and morals of the company, not just the mission, but who we are as people and who we're going to hire, that cult. I always say you're building a cult in the culture,' shared Kass. Building a successful culture is a sign of accountability, a shared work ethic, and similar values and has been linked to success. Starting a company can be messy. But as Kass and Mike Lazerow know very well, picking the right co-founder can make the journey much easier.
Forbes
28-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Should You Work With Your Friends?
Dmitry Mishunin founder & CEO at HashEx Blockchain Security. "Don't work with your friends" is a saying that has almost become a cliche at this point. This is the "I told you so" after any disappointing business endeavor between friends. It doesn't matter much whether the experience was a big project or an hour in the roles of employer and employee. This would be the end of the story, but there are more than a few examples of married couples or best friends successfully running a business—like Jessica Livingston and Paul Graham, the spouses who founded Y Combinator, and David Karp and Marco Arment, the friends who founded the blog platform Tumblr. Situations also exist where successful business partners become friends. Why do some people end up with a disappointing or even devastating experience, while others reap all of the perks while strengthening their relationship? What is the difference between the two situations? First, I want to separate the conversations about psychological types. Yes, all people are indeed different; some are softer, some are harsh, some are patient and others are explosive. However, even the most patient people lose it. Why do you decide to build a business relationship with another person? The most trivial and often true answer is that you have the goal to hang a shelf and you find someone who can do a quality and affordable job. Now, let's complicate it a little bit. You want to step away from your company's management and are looking for a COO. It has to be someone who is trustworthy, responsible, a hard worker with good time management skills, educated, smart with experience in the industry and so on. When a business relationship is built on friendship, the motivation is entirely different. You have a complex task that you can only entrust to a friend. A friend will do a good job, offer a good price and won't lie or cheat you. Does any of that sound familiar? There's a difference between the two cases. Both are focused on personal qualities. Responsibility and expertise are present in both and yes, they are important for a job well done. In the first case, we are analyzing a specific person and determining whether they possess the required qualities. We complete an assessment. The second case is built around an imaginary concept of a "friend." A friend won't let you down, and that's it. You can trust a friend. When a friend turns out to be less than experienced or irresponsible, our expectations clash with reality. It hurts us. It's a painful experience. We start blaming our friends for all that goes wrong, and our project ends up in shambles. Let's roll back to the beginning of this business-friendship. You have to know your friend well enough to understand whether they have the required qualities or not. It sounds simple, but let's take a look at my own experience. One of my close friends was a good programmer at a big company. He wasn't happy with his salary and wanted to launch a pet project. Around the same time, I had a startup idea, and the prototype looked like a one-man job. My friend's name was the first one that came to mind. We shook on it: I would take care of marketing and the product part and he would do the coding. We started, and weeks went by. On release day, I anticipated the rocket that would fly us to the moon. I opened the app and saw a very raw prototype. It looked even worse than our first pen-and-paper sketch. Half of the features weren't ready and the rest hardly worked. I had no desire to continue the project, and the relationship took a massive hit. Looking back, I only knew my friend was a good programmer from his own words. We'd never worked together before and I had never seen any results of his work. I just believed him when he said it. I also knew he wasn't happy with his income, but I had no idea what salary he'd be comfortable with. Additionally, while I knew of my friend's desire to launch a pet project, I didn't even know whether he had any free time. I expected him to give his all to our project, but he had a demanding day job. He coded for our project in his free time, hence the result. In contrast, there was another time when we were looking for a project manager (PM) for one of our new and complex products. We wanted to find someone who could, in time, grow to become the CEO of the project, and my partner brought his friend's resume. She had a degree in math and led a department of over 150 employees. She had a great interview and her test task was stellar. She got right into the core of things from day one and gained the respect of the team. Friendship had nothing to do with it. Instead, the employee was chosen for their professional qualities. If you want to have a productive collaboration, you have to assess your friend like you would someone new. You need to review the qualities of the person rather than a virtual "ride or die" friend. Working with someone you know well isn't necessarily a bad thing, but even the people we know and trust have to be scrutinized when it comes to matters of business. The working environment has a very different dynamic, and maintaining it is often the key to a successful venture. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
