Need investment to grow — should I take on a partner (equity share) or take out a loan?

We took a loan. 200k credit 5 years, 18% interest... It was heavy but we kept control of the company. We paid off the loan after growth. If we had taken a partner, the equity would have remained, feeling a bit regretful.

But what if the partner's network actually generates profit? A loan is just money and interest.

We've heard this a lot, but it never happened like that for us. Solutions that work at a small scale collapse when you grow; I learned this late.

When making decisions, write down the worst-case scenario too, not just the best. Of course, it varies if your situation is different.

Just a heads-up. The answer varies greatly by industry; there is no one-size-fits-all rule.

If you don't write this down from the start, it leads to arguments later. Just leaving this note, it might be useful.

I'd appreciate it if you shared the outcome. Any unwritten clause becomes a point of disagreement later, as both sides remember it differently.

If it's your first time start small; scaling comes later. like if I were you, I'd go this route.

There's a part I don't understand. Changing habits is harder and more expensive than setting up a system.

Just because everyone does it doesn't mean it's right. This is my opinion, I'm not claiming it's absolute truth.

Good call starting this thread. The biggest time-waster for us was not knowing who had the final say.

That's all sorry if I went on too long.

looking at it as a process, the picture changes then tbh hasty decisions become decisions you have to fix six months later.

solutions that work at a small scale collapse when you grow; I learned this late.. but btw this is my opinion I'm not claiming it's absolute truth.

Quick summary for newcomers: Mistakes made on the taking a partner or taking a loan side are usually reversible but expensive.

If you post the result here, it will help others too.

This thread is archived. Start with a small trial; don't commit to everything at once.

Of course, it varies if your situation is different.

If you're going this route, sort this out first. like if it's your first time start small; scaling comes later.

Most time waste accumulates in tasks waiting for approval. I mean proven by experience.

I have a question dont want to go off-topic though... Finding a new customer is more expensive than keeping an existing one.

If you post the result here it will help others too.

You're right.

I feel the same way. The answer varies greatly by industry; there is no one-size-fits-all rule.

Proven by experience.

Let me write how it's done in practice. When making a decision, also write down the cost of reversal.

Trying to do this alone is the most expensive way.

My questions are cleared up, thanks. When you try to change everything at once, nothing settles.

Everything goes well for the first three months; problems arise in the fourth. That's all, sorry if I went on too long.

I'm curious too.