Looking for a Business Partner? Some teen BIZ Experiencess say success runs in the family--so consider bringing them on board to help with your business.

Being a 'trep is an exciting adventure. It starts withrecognizing a money-making opportunity and creating an innovativebusiness concept. Then comes research, planning and lots ofdecision-making.

One of the most important decisions you will make is whether torun the business alone or find a partner or partners to share thework. So where do you start looking for those special people?

From the moment Chad Kennedy decided to start TeenScene, an online teen magazine, he knew it would take awhole staff of dedicated people to accomplish his goal. "Wehope to be the number-one teen Web site by early 2004," says16-year-old Kennedy, who has operated his site from his home inWheatfield, Illinois, for the past three years.

Realizing he needed help, Kennedy's first step was to call afamily meeting. Five people showed up--two cousins, his parents andhis sister, Trish. "I wanted a print magazine, but since I hadno funding, an online magazine was my best choice," saysKennedy. "My family thought it was a great idea, so we spentmost of the first meeting discussing what to put on the Web site.Then we decided how each person would help and how we wouldstructure the staff."

Kennedy's teenage cousins and sister volunteered to startwriting articles. His parents would act as "soundingboards" for ideas. Kennedy, everyone agreed, was the editor inchief who would handle the responsibility of enlisting more staff,overseeing the writing and launching the Web site when it wasready. Everyone would report to Kennedy with their assignments.

Planning for the e-zine began in late 1999. On May 10, 2000, thepremiere issue went live; now the site attracts 150,000 uniquevisitors each month, and it takes 16 people to do all the work.However, Teen Scene remains a family-operated business withall staff positions on the business side of the magazine filled byfamily members.

Avoiding SiblingSquabbles
Although many young BIZ Experiencess like Kennedy choose familymembers for business partners, working with a sibling or a parentisn't always easy. Nick Skolness, who several years ago foundedGourds Galore with his sister, Lindsay, has this advice for otherfamily business owners: "You can't fight while you'reworking," says Nick, 15, whose Lakewood, Colorado, companysells home décor items made from gourds. "It's justnot the right place." Disagreements should be settled inprivate after the work is done, he says.

A strong friendship is necessary to do business together, addsLindsay, 17. "You can't let little brother-sister thingsget in the way."

Alicia and David Templin, another successful brother-sisterbusiness team, agree with the Skolnesses. "We have learnedthat we always need to be there for each other," says17-year-old Alicia. She and her brother, David, have operated anaward-winning graphic arts business in Arlington, Texas, for morethan four years.

David, 15, believes they work well together because eachrespects the other's strengths and abilities. "When wework at parties, I do the face painting and clay, and my sisterdoes caricatures of the children." Although they often enterthe same art contests, competing against one another for prizes,Alicia and David help each other by brainstorming ideas together,offering advice and support.

StructuringSuccess
Kennedy believes the key to successfully working together withfamily is a solid structure. "Every person on the magazinestaff has a specific job description that tells exactly what theydo," explains Kennedy. "I e-mail or call them, explaintheir responsibilities, and give them a list of deadlines." Tomake sure everyone understands the structure of the staff, Kennedyposts the staff box on the site where it is easy to see.

"I enjoy talking with my sister about new ideas and plansfor the Web site," says Kennedy. "I believe we are righton track for achieving our goals for 2004, and I'm glad myfamily has been with me all the way."

Are you looking for the right person to help launch yourventure? Don't forget to consider the fact that success justmay run in your family.