> someone who I would almost certainly spend little or no time with outside of work
That might be your experience, but the best cofounder for me is one I can share everything with. At work or outside, we're always in sync. I don't know how you would pull through difficult moments with an ice wall in the middle. Being able to see the worst of each other is how you really know somebody.
> Finding someone who deals with stress in a healthy way is huge.
For me, I like the separation. I really appreciate being able to have a bad day at work but a good day at home. When you're starting a company, it will consume your life. It will also alternate from thinking you're on top of the world to feeling worthless.
When you're starting a company with someone, you're going to spend tons of time together and share personal things anyways. In some ways, I think it's hedging the emotions and keeping things about the business. I think you can work with someone and become friends. I've failed and seen others fail trying to turn a friendship into a business.
Yeah totally agree on the reverse direction. It is very rare to have a friendship that also becomes a business relationship, at least with my network. You just become friends for very different reasons.
That might be your experience, but the best cofounder for me is one I can share everything with. At work or outside, we're always in sync. I don't know how you would pull through difficult moments with an ice wall in the middle. Being able to see the worst of each other is how you really know somebody.
> Finding someone who deals with stress in a healthy way is huge.
Agree.