Have I done anything wrong?

[Surefire]

Recently I'm having a bit of trouble with one of my business partners\friends, I don't feel I have done anyhting wrong, but I'd like the opinion of people from the outside just in case I am being an ass and can't see it!

Background
We used to work together for a software development company, but both left around the same time. I fancied doing my own thing, so I asked this guy if he fancied setting up our own company. He was in and we split 50/50. Since then he has done no work for the company as he is too risk averse to give up his job. However he hasn't taken money from the company and has only used it to get perks such as tax free purchases which he pays for, which I have been fine with.
I have arranged and worked on a few contracts I have set up, and paid myself accordingly.

The issue
Recently I arranged a new contract which I thought was going to make about $24,000 over a month and asked this guy if he wanted in. He said no because he was busy with his job and he was going on vacation for a week during the period. Again this was fine.
During this time I took on the contract but during the course of it, it came to be worth around $100k. When the guy came back from his vacation he was asking about things and we were chatting and I mentioned this. He said I cut him out of the deal and he would have been in if I had told him how much it was worth. He now ignores my calls, messages, IMs and any other communication and won't speak to me.

I admit I told him the contract was worth less, but this is because thats what I thought it was worth at the time I started it. I also don't see how I cut him out as he said no to it, and was on vacation while it was taking place.

Is he just upset that he missed out and is acting like a child, or have I done something wrong?

Sorry for the long post if you made it this far, I guess I am also venting a bit!

[iacas]

Is he just upset that he missed out and is acting like a child, or have I done something wrong?

It all depends on the paperwork/contracts the both of you signed. Is there any? If not, there's no "co-partnership" for him to be in or to complain about. You're working on your own.

People tend to frame things so that others agree with them, and you left those sorts of details out, which leads me to believe there's a contract.

[Long_Ball_Bogey]

I'd have to agree with iacas here. You present a compelling argument, but your "partner" isn't being heard here. At any rate, you need to sit down with this guy face to face and decide where the "partnership" is going from here. His avoidance could be a sign that he's contemplating some type of legal action. --LBB

[Surefire]

Based on the replies so far, I feel I should add that contractually and legally its all wrapped up. There is no legal dispute as to any of the proceedings.

Although most of the background was business in my example I am really looking at the personal side of things. The other guy accepts he is owed nothing through the current situation, but feels he would have wanted to be in and so the paperwork would have been different if he had known that more money would have been made.

I can see why he is disappointed at missing out, but this is only with hindsight, he had no problem being out when he didn't think the reward was so great. I should also add, at the start I tried to talk him into being in, but he really didn't want to be in.

Also he was on vacation during the project. So I couldn't contact him and let him know it was suddenly worth more and does he want to fly back and now join in.

Its possible he will just think it over and decide next time not to shun work, and we'll be back to normal, which will be great.

My issue is I don't really want to lose someone who has been a good friend, and I don't like being told I cut him out, when I wanted him in. Maybe I could have tried harder to get hold of him when the value of the contract increased.

I realise naturally I am going to frame the story from my point of view, as this is the only one I have. This is why I ask for other peoples opinions. My first post was a bit of a rant, but really I would like to see if there is another way to look at it, ideally my buddies way, but he is hard to contact right now! Once I can do this I can get an idea of what my buddy is thinking and I can attempt to resolve things.

[microcrayfish]

I'd ask how long have you been running the company? You say he's done no work for the company, but is that because you've only been operating for a short time and he hasn't found the time yet or have you been going at it solo for a while? If it's been a long term situation where he hasn't done any work for the company then I don't see why he should be complaining that he's missed out this time, why suddenly show interest when there's more money involved? On the other hand, if you're new to this then he could feel that he should have been involved with such a big contract in the early stages of the company.

Now I have no business experience and don't know your friend so this is just what I think may be a plausible situation. YMMV.

[Pat007]

Something like this happened to a few members at my course. They were best of friends for 20+ years, started a business, and all hell broke loose. As it turns out, one guy bought out the other after a big contract.

I guess this is just another example of why you shouldn't mix friends and money.

[Long_Ball_Bogey]

Give it some time & he'll be open to talk. He's probably just brooding over missing out on the money. Once you guys sit down, I'm sure there'll be no real damage done. Best of luck. --LBB

[Rugger]

Recently I'm having a bit of trouble with one of my business partners\friends, I don't feel I have done anyhting wrong, but I'd like the opinion of people from the outside just in case I am being an ass and can't see it!

How long has it been? Maybe he's just busy or there are other circumstances you aren't aware of.

Other than that, maybe he felt like you were gloating?

[Surefire]

Good point actually. I have kind of assumed the worse. It could be me being childish thinking he has a problem with me, when he is in fact just busy.

Its out of character for him to not communicate, but its also out of character for him to act like a child. Giving it some time could definately be wise.

Lets see what happens.

[michaeljames92]

The guy doesn't deserve anything. How can you be blamed for the worth of the deal becoming 4 times greater? remember he was the one who said no when you asked him, it is just his fault that he missed out. Tough biccies i say.