5 tips for starting a business with a partner

Starting a business on your own can be difficult. Sometimes finding a partner with the right skills set is a necessity. If you’re about to partner up, consider the following…

Read more: Top 10 most entrepreneurial states in America

1. Find a partner at your own speed

If you’re going to have a partner, it’s key that you have the right one. When you sign up at a free site like FounderDating.com, they’ll screen potential co-founders to make sure they’re not looking to poach your talent and suggest matches based on complementary experience, skills and expectations.

2. Consider working with a start-up accelerator

There are organizations around the country providing professional development, networking, training, consulting and other opportunities for entrepreneurs. Visit GlobalAcceleratorNetwork.com to find one near you.

3. Find capital online

Peer-to-peer lending sites like Prosper.com and LendingClub.com can help when you’re looking for start-up capital. With sites like these, you’re borrowing money directly from individuals, not banks, at an interest rate determined by your credit.

Crowdfunding is the latest wrinkle in bank-less borrowing. With crowdfunding, you let others know about your business idea online with an appeal for funds. Kickstarter.com is the most popular crowdfunding portal, but if you don’t get 100% funding for a potential project, you get no money at all. IndieGoGo.com, on the other hand, allows you to get whatever money is pledged even if you don’t reach 100% funding.

Read more: Best websites to get a small business loan

4. Consider the freemium model

Freemium has been a very hot word in recent years. Under a freemium business model, especially when you’re talking about a technology-based business model, you give away something for free and then require customers to pay for an upgrade if they want more of what you’ve got.

For example, The New York Times reported a couple of years ago that the iPhone game Temple Run wasn’t getting a lot of downloads at 99 cents a pop. So the makers started offering it for free. Almost overnight, it had more than 40 million downloads. As the game makers discovered, when the game was given away for free, people ended up spending money to upgrade to a premium pay version over time.

5. Don’t ignore your retirement planning

Nearly a third of all entrepreneurs aren’t saving anything at all for their retirement, according to a new survey from non-profit The American College. They’re too busy pouring every penny back into their business, thinking that will be their big score. Maybe, but maybe not.

Here’s an alternative: As a self-employed person, you have access to a simplified employee pension (SEP). The paperwork to set up a SEP is simple, and you can even open one at a low-cost investment house like Vanguard, Fidelity or T. Rowe Price at no cost.

SEPs work like a traditional IRA or 401(k), with a current year tax deduction. Withdrawals are taxed at retirement. SEPs also offer flexibility because you can put in from zero in a year to as much as $53,000. That’s helpful during the feast or famine start-up years. Don’t miss this opportunity to save for your future!

Read more: Clark’s Investment Guide

Want more money-saving advice as you start your entrepreneurial journey? See our Business & Entrepreneurs section.