DiscoverJust Grow With It with Natalie BarbuHow to Find the Right Cofounder (and Spot the Red Flags Early) ๐Ÿšฉ
How to Find the Right Cofounder (and Spot the Red Flags Early) ๐Ÿšฉ

How to Find the Right Cofounder (and Spot the Red Flags Early) ๐Ÿšฉ

Update: 2025-10-08
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65% of startups fail because of co-founder issuesโ€”donโ€™t let yours be one of them! In this episode of "Just Grow With It," I share my personal journey as a founder, the hard lessons learned about co-founding, and actionable advice to help you find (and keep) the right co-founder for your business.

Weโ€™ll cover:
The pros and cons of having a co-founder
Where to find the right co-founder (even if you donโ€™t know anyone)
How to know if your co-founder is โ€œthe oneโ€
Red flags to watch out for
Navigating equity conversations and vesting
Legal tips to protect your business
Whether youโ€™re just starting out or looking to restructure your founding team, this episode is packed with real stories, practical tips, and honest advice to help you build a strong foundation for your startup.

Timestamps:
00:00 โ€“ Why most startups fail: The co-founder dilemma
00:18 โ€“ Welcome to Just Grow With It
00:36 โ€“ My co-founder story: The early days of Rella
01:15 โ€“ Do you really need a co-founder?
02:20 โ€“ The pros and cons of co-founders
03:55 โ€“ Emotional support and shared responsibility
04:50 โ€“ The cost of giving up equity
05:50 โ€“ Control, decision-making, and team dynamics
06:30 โ€“ Picking the wrong co-founder: Why itโ€™s so risky
07:13 โ€“ Where to find your co-founder: Networks, events, and online
09:48 โ€“ How to know if your co-founder is the right fit
11:00 โ€“ Red flags: Communication, trust, ego, and motivation
14:16 โ€“ The equity conversation: How to split and vest
17:05 โ€“ Legal musts: Vesting, agreements, and lawyers
18:49 โ€“ Final thoughts and community shoutout

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How to Find the Right Cofounder (and Spot the Red Flags Early) ๐Ÿšฉ

How to Find the Right Cofounder (and Spot the Red Flags Early) ๐Ÿšฉ

Natalie Barbu