Glen Kiddel is the Co-founder of VitaMan Skincare, a men’s grooming company, now operating in one of the fastest growing industries out there.
Most business partnerships rarely last longer than a few years. Why do you think your partnership with Clare has been so successful and what advice would you give to others?
My partnership with Clare was like destiny, we have an amazing connection where there is an unspoken link between us. Each of us would do whatever it takes to support the other through our business journey together. The amount of mutual trust and respect we have for each other is incredible, as is our growing admiration for each other. Maybe there is a spiritual connection. I have met thousands of great people over the last 30 years and I cannot think of anyone whom I would rather have as a business partner. The huge appreciation we have for each other just continues to evolve as we share the same dream - we do it as much for each other as we do for ourselves.
I think another contributing factor in our success is that we each brought a different set of skills and experiences to the partnership. My background was in health, fitness and natural medicine, while Clare was involved with make-up and beauty therapy training. Clare had a much stronger background in fundamental business operations while I was able to offer stronger sales and creative skills.
Finding someone as special as Clare was a gift. It’s hard to advise someone how to find the right business partner, you might just meet someone one day and find that there is an instant connection between you, as happened with us, or you might meet someone within your circle of friends. I truly believe that the right partner will come along at the right time and choose you.
Deciding to work together is a massive undertaking. Spending more than eight hours a day together, year after year, in the same room is more time than most married couples spend together! I know that our partnership has worked so well because we have supported each other on a personal level, which is crucial to maintaining stability in the business.
Knowing that your partner will cover for you when you have a family crisis or need time out, and that you will reciprocate when it’s their turn, makes the partnership stronger. [[Clare went above and beyond the normal call of duty when I lost my father to cancer]], and again when my mum had a sudden stroke. This support was huge, and I cannot express my gratitude strongly enough for what Clare did for me during those difficult times.
My advice when deciding upon a business partner is to discuss how you will deal with unexpected events and how you will support each other. You should also agree that disagreeing will be a part of growing and not let it interfere with your relationship. You must also feel completely comfortable spending long hours with that person.
At the end of the day, go with your ‘gut intuition’ when deciding whom you want to partner with, and make sure that you both understand that you will both have to do the hard work. If one begins to slack off, it can create animosity and a feeling of it not being a true partnership anymore. It’s crucial that you are able to talk through concerns and offer each other constructive criticism in the best interests of your business.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s success tip. Check back again next time for more great advice from the experts.
Until then,
Allan Poole
In 2006, Avril won the prestigious, much sought after Lifetime Achievement in Human Resources Award at the Australian HR Awards. She has been a finalist in the Best HR Director and Sydney Business Review Businesswoman of the Year, and nominated for Telstra Business Woman of the Year on four occasions. She now works in Sydney and owns AH Revelations. Avril continues inspire 100’s of business owners every year.