Your advice please!

This is a very bad Idea.
Only you know how to run your business.
This looks like a whole lot of problems waiting to happen.
I am working for someone outside of the meetup.
But I do it pro bono ...becuase we can maitain that relationship.
Even though he has offered money...I have refused....so that there will not be any money issues that come between us.

This is a bad Idea.

You shouldnt stop.....have them organise...and make signs around town >> YouTube "Freedom to Fascism"
Make people think that there is an underground movie playing on line. The fight is not over...make use of the resources that you guys have...this movie more than anything wakes people up.
There is much work to do....but dont mixed it with your business.

Here's an article with great advice about your situation.

http://www.nolo.com/artic...

I would just say check your motives and go with your intuition, but always CYA.

As a business student, I constantly work with teams for business projects- often with friends. I've also worked with family, and with friends.
I'm not yet a business owner, but I'll give you my advice.
I don't know the nature of your business. Perhaps these "leaders" can be exceptional additions to your crew. Do you feel comfortable standing back and supervising, or are you more of a hands on boss? Libertarians tend to like freedom to achieve, and it is often best to give them a task, and let them accomplish it on their own, with minimal supervision.

As for the problems you've discovered this far, I sense a lot of hesitation.
Step back for a bit, and try and forget about the friendship you've developed. Would you, as a business owner, trust them to run your operation? Do you feel they represent the values and image you want from your firm? Are they capable and able to learn from you? Sometimes immature employees have a difficult time going from teacher to student.
You mentioned your worry about them taking what they learned from you and running off and starting a competing firm. There is a legal disclaimer known as a non-compete agreement. (http://www.nolo.com/produ...)

Remember also that they could bring a unique perspective to your firm. An inventive and creative employee can have a lasting positive effect on your business strategy and significantly improve your productivity by looking at your job from a different angle.

THE most important thing to do is sit down with each one of them, separately, and talk about all the problems and worries that you might have with employment. Decide on a resolution, and put it in writing as part of the contract. This written contract solidifies both your expectations. It also can help keep the friendship when things go wrong.
NEVER hire a friend without a solid contract.

Hope I was helpful! Good luck, and let's hope Ron Paul gets elected so the coming recession won't last long!

it seems to me that your subconscious is screaming "DON'T DO IT!!!" and you are looking for confirmations from other people. That's the impression that I got from reading your post.

The Rand Coporation did a series of studies based on the scenario presented above in the 1960's they concluded that of the 12 scenarios presented with all other minor possible permutations considered that the scenaio led to a 99% possibly of thermonuclear war and a 1% possibly that the scenario would help get Dr. Paul elected.

As if you have your answer. You know these fine fellows, and they do not really operate in methods you are totally comfortable with. This is your business. If you have doubts, follow your gut.

There is always the "no compete" paragraphs that can be signed. But I wouldn't count on that. But competition usually doesn't hurt a business as much as it helps it. You have a big, big advantage being established first.

If you didn't say to yourself, man, I wish I could hire this guy, then he probably is not for you.

Okay, here's my take, as I have always been able to mix business and friendship successfully. Are they honorable? Can you trust them? A person CAN be a freedom-loving Ron Paul supporter and still not be any of these things. But if so, just how MUCH can you trust them? You have not said what business you are in, but depending what it is, arrogance can be an asset or a hindrance. Take that into consideration. The alcohol thing is a non issue as long as it doesn't affect his work, and if he is your friend then you should have an idea about that. I have successfully blended business and friendship throughout my life, and the most important question you need to ask yourself is can THEY do that? Mixing business and friendship is something that cannot be done unless both parties can do it. If, when you begin doing business together, they cannot accept the business hierarchy, that fact will make itself known in a hurry. The business hierarchy and the friendship dynamic must be held in a delicate blend and not everybody can do it. But when it happens, it definitely takes both parties agreeing on the parameters. Perhaps a trial run might be appropriate. Good luck.

www.paulforronpaul.com

In life, you have friends. In business, they are associates, whether friendly or advisarial. Don't confuse the two as business isn't always friendly. As a successful business person you probably already are aware of this. If you need their frienship, fine. If you feel that they could be an asset to your business, then have them apply for the job as you would any other employee. You MUST draw the line in the sand though, that as employees their input will be valued, but the final decissions are still yours to make. As far as their gaining knowledge about your business, that is almost inevitable. I'm no attorney, but what about some sort of 'disclosure agreement' and of course you could always have them sign a 'do not compete clause' for say 5 years after they should leave your employment. Your first concern should be whether they would/could be an asset or a liability. As far as any sort of test, to me, a supposed situation that they would have to provide a solution for would be best. If they answer to benefit themselvevs, you know the answer. An answer that would benefit your company would possibly be okay. However, an answer that would seem morally justified, even if it doesn't benefit the company, would, to me, be a much better indicator of their charactor, and where their convictions stand. Is this not, if anything, that we have learned from Dr. Paul? I'd like to think that moral character still stands for something. I hope this helps in your difficult decission. We are not free if we aren't willing to defend Liberty, Patriot4Paul. Are you hiring???

If you are going to hire them, go through the hiring process as any other job would do. And if you are going to continue the professional route, then that may mean if the job isnt getting done, you may have to fire your friends. which means your friendships with them could get awkward. You need to trust your gut. And I think by writing this post, you may have your answer. If you thought hiring your new friends was such a good idea, and you didnt have any doubts..then I wouldnt be writing this response because this post wouldn't exist. Your friends shouldnt be hurt, its business...

Law of Relativity.
Never hire or go into business with Relatives or Friends (or friends of relatives or relatives of friends).

As a rule of thumb, that is a GOOD RULE.

There are always exceptions, but in my experience (and I've screwed up plenty) if your GUT is making you cautious, you should listen to it.

Help them find other work, but don't hire them.

Partly depending on the type of business you're in.

Is it highly specialized?...then maybe some sort of non-compete agreement. At a minimum, you'd want a confidentiality agreement with ALL of your employees. Otherwise, they could simply learn your systems & processes, then hire out to your competition and teach them how YOU became so successful.

If those young people are willing and able to lead, then maybe you put then in charge of something.....Sales maybe? Certainly that type of position could likely be independent contractor status rather than employees.

I'm of the opinion that I need to be an expert at what I do, I hire experts for other specialized things. I HATE paperwork, so I hired someone else for that.....This person LOVES paperwork and is actually much better at it than I. Don't be afraid to hire someone else to do those jobs that you don't like or at which you do not excel; however, that hiring should always be done so that you free up more time for you (the owner) to generate more income.

Don't let the age gap scare you....What young people lack in life experience, they may make up for in other qualities like enthusiasm, a certain lack of fear, etc.

A person's short-term enthusiasm for a political campaign may not give you an accurate read on that person's long-term prospects as an employee. That being said, if you are running a truly successful business, then you should know that there is ALWAYS room for true talent. I'm not looking to hire anyone right now, but can think of at least one person that I would absolutely make room for if she came to me looking for a job....She's that good. Never pass up talent.

At the end of the day, you have to trust your gut. I know that's not very scientific, but you've worked with these 2 people and gotten to know them on some level. My guess is that you have an opinion, you're just not trusting your instincts.

If you decide to seriously consider hiring these folks, do it right. Get the resumes, check those references. Make it very clear that it's a 90-day trial run so that you (and each of them, individually) can make sure it's a good fit. At 90 days, you sit down, you hash it out and you either move forward or they move along to their next job. Also, if you cut them slack just because you know them on a somewhat personal level, you're not doing them any favors.

Bottom line: you're in business to make money....If you want to do charity work you need to go on down to the local charity and volunteer your time and money there. Decide if hiring either/both of these people will help make your business more successful or not. If its a big 'ol maybe...then they probably aren't right for you.

I run a small business and have employees. It's not always easy, but I wouldn't do anything else....I am blessed to do the work that I love. Don't know if my comments are at all helpful, but please take them in the sharing spirit in which they are offered.

Good luck to you.

I need to bump this as I really need still MORE advice and suggestions on this one. PLEASE!

Don't mix business and friends. I have tried it a few times and I am sorry to say they have not turned out well. IMO
If you have to let them down, be honest, they will appreciate that a whole lot more and will respect you for it. Never hire for "guilt," it will bite you in the butt.
I think if they asked you for work, they have to be prepared for a "no."
Oh, and if you do consider hiring them get a resume and keep it very professional, check refferences ect..--stay in charge.
Just because they support RP, does not mean that they are "saints." (I'm not:))

There is always the risk of your employee taking the training and experience you gave him elsewhere. It goes with the territory. As far as you becoming the man in charge goes...due to your past experience with them...let them do what they do on idea creation etc, but make sure you get the final call. Thats about it on my end.