Why I Said “Not Yet” to a 50/50 Deal

For seven years, my shop has been my second home. Every day, the sound of the machines reminds me that I built this from nothing. I still remember the first month, wondering if I could pay the rent and buy groceries. As a single mom with four kids, this business is more than just a job—it’s the safety net I wove with my own hands to keep my family safe. My kids have grown up in the back room of this shop, doing homework on packing crates while I worked late into the night.

Lately, I’ve been dreaming bigger. I want to grow my business and reach more people. I want to move from just getting by to truly succeeding. I want to leave something behind that my children can be proud of, a legacy that shows them what hard work and grit can accomplish.

That’s when I met him.

He was smart, kind, and he really seemed to “get” me. We talked for hours about life and the future. He didn’t just see a woman; he saw a builder. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I didn’t have to carry every single bag by myself. I started to imagine what it would be like to have a partner to share the wins and the losses with.

One night at dinner, while the kids were at their grandmother’s, we talked about my plans to grow the business. I told him my dreams and the risks I was worried about. I shared the numbers I usually keep locked in my desk. He listened closely, nodding at the right times.

“I can help you,” he said, reaching across the table to take my hand. “I have the money and the skills to make this happen fast. We could be an unstoppable team.”

I felt so relieved. A weight started to lift off my shoulders. But then he told me his condition.

“If I help, we have to be partners,” he said. “Legal, 50/50 partners. We do this together, or not at all.”

Suddenly, the mood changed. The air in the room felt heavy. My “Boss” brain, the one that has handled seven years of taxes, bills, and hard work, woke up. My “Mom” brain, the one that knows this business belongs to my kids’ future, felt a deep sense of worry.

I looked at him—a man I really liked—and then I thought about the seven years of sweat, tears, and missed bedtimes I had poured into those four walls.

“It’s about being committed to each other,” he explained. “If I’m putting in my time and money, I need to own half. It shows we are in this for the long haul.”

That night, after the kids were asleep and the house was finally quiet, I sat at my kitchen table with a notepad and a cup of tea. I realized this was a huge decision. It wasn’t just about a business deal; it was about protecting everything I’ve built for my family.

I started asking myself some hard questions:

• If we break up in a few months, does he still own half of my kids’ future?
• Is this a gift of love, or is he trying to take over the value I’ve created over seven years?
• If he really cares about me, why does he need to own half of my company before he has even worked a single day in it?

I realized that after seven years of being the boss, I couldn’t just give away half because I was tired or excited about a new relationship. If he really wanted to be my partner in life, he would respect the work I did before he even knew my name. My business isn’t a hobby; it’s an asset with a seven-year history.

The next time we talked, I was ready. I sat him down and spoke clearly. I told him I valued his help, but my seven years of hard work had a value that couldn’t be ignored. I suggested a different plan: a “earn-in” partnership. He could earn a share of the business over several years by showing real results and hitting specific goals. I also insisted that we needed a legal plan for what happens to the business if our relationship ends.

I learned that the strongest thing a woman can do is protect what she built when things were tough. A man who truly loves you won’t ask you to give up your power or your children’s security just to prove your love for him.

I am still going to grow my business. But I’m making sure the foundation is built on a fair contract—one that honors the seven years I spent building this for my family and ensures that my kids will always have a home in the kingdom I created.