Hey Designers! So I’ve been at my current design studio for a little over 10 years. It’s a small studio—2 partners, now 3 additional designers, not including me. I’ve been asked a few times over the years if I’d be interested in being a partner but have turned it down.

It’s recently come up again (potentially 5%). I still need to sit down with them and learn more, but I’m not sure I see the benefits(yet)? Any thoughts from those who’ve done this before? Thanks so much 🙏

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A small design house like that isn't going to make any equity worth it. I'd take it only if I knew I was willing to bust my ass on growth over the next 5 years.

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Great point! Didn’t really even get into the the whole worth it size/equity size yet. Plus about growth, too. Thank you!!🙏

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You would know the growth potential more than us, but Equity at a small company that will never go public or sell has no purpose. Depends on what you’re looking for though.

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That’s what I’m feeling. Like, if it’s just to say ‘hey, I’ve worked so hard over the last 10 years so now I own 5% of a couch!’ Then doesn’t feel too beneficial yet - tho still need to talk more about their plan, too.

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I think that there is always a positive to owning part of the company, even as little as 5%, it really depends on the terms of your deal. If you can leave eventually and retain your shares, it’s 5% of profits you don’t have to work for in the future.
Will it be the next Amazon and you’ll retire a millionaire soon? Who knows? But it gives you a motivation to help them grow and push others to grow as well. You can learn a lot from being part owner of a company, and even if you don’t get to vote on company initiatives, it sounds like they value you and your work. If you’re in the US and this an LLC, you’re not on the hook for losses unless they’re asking you for capital. If all you are contributing is time and work, you were going to do it anyways, so I see no loss.
And to the point that it’s too little to be meaningful. Jeff Bezos “only” owns 15% of Amazon. It’s impressive now, but it was probably not attractive when he was selling books out of a garage. Hindsight is always 20/20.

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Wow, this was a whole different perspective 😳 thank you so much!!!! Definitely good questions to have on hand when we talk more. My fears were the whole liability issues and such and feeling like then I can’t leave / it’ll be difficult to, because although I’m older (31 now) I’ve still got a lot more time and not sure if I’m gonna stay here or not (as they are in 40&50) and yea! I’m in the US and it is an LLC. I greatly appreciate this so much!! 🙏🙏

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What have they offered? And why have you turned the offer down in the past?

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Right now just 5% - but I’d have to buy in and pay taxes on that and I’m not too fond of it.

That’s part of why I’ve turned it down before (though they didn’t pitch a % before), and also because I don’t want to added stress of owning (albeit a sliver) of a company. Unless it could really be a smart of beneficial move for me.

They want you around. But they don’t want to have to pay a higher salary. They would much rather have you be a partner at a small percentage and pay you a little more at the end of the year then up your salary to hold you in place. There’s some benefits to that, because it means you get to have a say in how things are run in the firm. Minority stockholders have more power than a lot of people think. But, unless being in management is your goal, it’s kind a hard to see a huge amount of value in this.

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Thank you so much! Helpful points to think about for sure! 🙏😁

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Will they show you the books before you commit to anything like this? Consider looking for corporate jobs and find your true value. No offense, but 5% of a small studio seems like a naive play to keep you onboard forever at no risk to the cashing out owners and unlisted investors…especially in an economy where losing a big client in the wrong market could sink everything. I need to watch Madmen again.

I definitely want to ask to see, especially from all the comments/info sent on this, including yours. I wouldn’t want to commit to anything without knowing that part first, especially since, to me, we’re small, but when all is said and done, we may have a larger pool than I think (though not corporate big)

And yup… That’s been my hang up each time - keeping on board forever… 😳

Thanks so much for this! 🙏

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