Question:
•If you were Kevin how would you initiate a conversation with Jeremy? What
would you want to learn? What would you say?
•What does the case illustrate about the risks of starting a business with a partner?
How might those risks be minimized?
•Do you think Kevin could make a go of the business alone? Should he try? Discuss
Summary
Black-Jack Antiques: Furniture and Restoration was started six years ago by two friends,
Jeremy Black and Kevin Jack. The business was started without a lot of the normal
paperwork such as a business plan or partnership agreement. Jack obtained the start up
loans and Black did most of the renovations and provided a starting base of customers.
Each had their roles in the business as well; Jack handled the sales and Black did the
restoring of the furniture (Daft, 2013, pg. 199).
Business enjoyed steady growth year after year. The business and friendship seemed to be
on good footing until the business partners’ wives had lunch one day. Black’s wife, Jenny,
let slip that Black was considering a job with a furniture design firm, and he wanted to sell
his share of the business (Daft, 2013, pg.199).
Jack was upset by the news of his partner’s change of heart. He delayed talking to Black
and sought advice from his father-in-law. Jack and his wife, Susan, discuss their options.
They have a lot of unanswered questions: will not having a partnership agreement be a
problem, why would Black seek other work, could the antique side survive without the
