Need advice for recruiting a managing partner

**EntrePR** · 12-29-2006 10:56 AM

Here's the situation. My father, who has been a general contractor for 35 years is interested in starting an alternative energy company in Maui, where he has lived for the past 20 years. Electricity rates are triple what they are in many parts of the nation, and there is a lot of money flowing around that small island. (I'm not looking to evaluate the validity of the business at this point, but if anyone has any comments I would love to hear them). I have another friend on the island who is a very good electrical engineer and would be more than capable of managing the complicated electrical instillations.

The problem is, both of these guys are relatively business inept. I believe they need someone with solid general business knowledge and excellent customer relations skills to be the face of the company. I'm not confident that this can be hired, so a partnership is probably in order. That partner, of course, would have to be located on the island, which is why I'm not it. (the snow sucks out there)

My question is, where would you look for that third partner? My only insight at this point is to look for early retirees who desire an escape from the corporate world and the mainland but do not want to just sit on the beach for the next 40 years.

Any ideas? Anyone want to move to Maui?

**stand856** · 12-29-2006 11:06 AM

See if anyone on that island or region has a similar type of business, either to learn from or join in as a partner, solar and wind power are becoming much more popular nowdays, so it would be a great place to do business in.

**EntrePR** · 12-29-2006 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by stand856

See if anyone on that island or region has a similar type of business, either to learn from or join in as a partner, solar and wind power are becoming much more popular nowdays, so it would be a great place to do business in.

Right. So, the thing I didn't mention about Maui. Almost everyone in business there sucks. There is so little competition that you just don't even have to try. Also, I think there might be something to do with the humidity. I felt like I lost 40 IQ points within a month of moving over there. (one of many reasons I am now in the mountains)

So, it's a great place to do business in, but the business over there are the last ones you would want to partner with. There are a couple alternative energy companies on the island, but the focus mainly on solar hot water heaters.