A Family IT/Tech Business??

adzoox writes "As I have just hired on my girlfriend to help out with some secretarial work in my Apple consulting, sales, and technical service business, and considering having my brother work with me soon; I'd like to know what the /. readers think about family in the 'Tech Workplace.' Obviously things aren't hectic like a restaurant, but my father and friends have all warned me against mixing business and pleasure and family. Do any of you have successful family owned IT businesses, eBay businesses, or programming/software consulting engineering businesses and what's been or secret to success? If not successful what unique problems did you encounter? How can I make it successful? And most importantly how do you handle authority (tardiness, work ethic, and workplace codes) with a girlfriend?"

Interesting concept

[Timesprout]

As I have just hired on my girlfriend to help out

I'm thinking of hiring my gf so I can fire her and outsource her responsibilities to 10 women in India.

Re:Careful planning

[SpaceLifeForm]

Well, you could always spank her before it gets to that point.

Then again, that might be her plan.

Re:Plan on getting her a ring...

[LostCluster]

Yes, but seeing that he gets along with his brother well enough to hire him, and is willing to consider the business advice of his father, I don't think his family is the kind that's shown on Jerry Springer.

Doin' the Secretary...

[Saeed al-Sahaf]

Well, I guess at least you can have sex with your secretary on your desk, and it's not going to be a problem...

Re:Careful planning

[Anonymous Coward]

If you marry her without a prenup, she will suddenly get ownership of half of the business. If that's okay with you, then you really don't have a problem. However, if that scares you at all, you need to make it clear that she's being paid as an employee and that's all she's getting out of the company.

This calls for sensitive handling.

Will you marry me? (You realise you'll still only be an employee, right?)

Re:third time lucky

[kfg]

If you really like your girlfriend, I suggest you practice on other less critical members of your family...

Void where prohibited by law.

KFG

Re:girlfriend ? hah !

[larry bagina]

that reminds me. Thursday night I have a date with a hot 19 year-old girl. she's bringon along her 18 year-old bisexual sister (they want to have a threesome). Anyhow, what do you think would be the best linux distro to install for them? They need to type papers, im, web cam support is a must, etc.

Title?

[The Ancients]

As I have just hired on my girlfriend to help out with some secretarial work...

To simplify it for you - you've just hired the new Managing Director.

..k

Re:Setting your own hours

[frostman]

Actually, I have found that I do set my own hours.

It's just that they are "the waking hours." As long as I set them to that, though, it's my choice.

How do you handle authority with a girlfriend?

[craXORjack]

And most importantly how do you handle authority (tardiness, work ethic, and workplace codes) with a girlfriend?

Bare-bottomed spankings come to mind.

Re:girlfriend ? hah !

[Anonymous Coward]

what do you think would be the best linux distro to install for them?

Hrm. I suggest making your own, genthree.

Re:Careful planning

[rixstep]

Having your g/f as a business partner: I dunno.

But sex at the office is always great.

Re:Setting your own hours

[edb]

Yup, owning your own business means that you have the ultimate in flex-time.

You get to pick which 20 hours a day you work.

Wow...

[Anonymous Coward]

An entire thread without one apple bashing comment. Slashdot is slipping.