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my co-founder wants a 75/25 revenue split… is this fair?
Posted by on April 21, 2026 at 7:40 pmhey, I opened a new social media marketing agency with a friend of mine back in 2025
a few weeks ago, the agency started to get some traction and we already have 8 customers so far that we're creating Instagram content for their brands
the work split it's dead simple, she records and edit the videos- because she has a ton of experience doing that, and I find and book meetings with the leads
however, she claims that she deserves more (75% for her and 25% for me), because "she's doing most the work" and getting leads it's just "send messages"
basically, I get customers, she does the job… so, what do you think about those percentages?
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1 Reply
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If you tell her no, she will probably start her own company and steal those customers from you.
When starting a company always have a contract in place. Even if it’s your own family members.
If you outright say no, she will quit or look to quit soon and start doing extra work without your knowledge on the side. I would agree to increase her a little bit but to 60-65%. And then I’d get an actual contract written and notarized.
Also, after only a year, she’s already asking for 75% revenue control, if she agreed to 60 or 65%, she will ask again for 70-75% maybe months later. But eventually she will ask for more. Thats why you should have a contract.
To be fair, she is doing most of the work as the talent and you are basically working as an agent. And typically agents take 10-15% in the market.
But that’s the best advice you’re going to get.
Again, whatever number you guys agree to, she will eventually ask for more. She is doing the majority of the work
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as a “founder” is she going to continue doing “all the work“ in the future? What happens when you scale and hire employees?
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No, that’s not fair at all. Backend work is a lot of “free” time working as an entrepreneur. Scouting and negotiating and you don’t get every gig you pitch…
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Absolutely not fair. I run an agency as well and getting leads is just as hard as the actual work. DOn’t start a business with this person. Get out now.
Running a business together is like a marriage. You will regret this. I’m sure I’m coming off as dramatic, but if this is how you start, it is going to end even worse.
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If you can consistently bring in clients, you have leverage, don’t undervalue that or you’ll regret it later.
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I don’t think that’s fair, without you bringing in the clients, would she even have work to do? As the business grows her roll will change as well to overseeing rather than the grunt work.
Idk to me founders together is a partnership and should be 50/50 split of revenue and then you’re both invested in getting the business up and running. Maybe you take some of her work like scheduling?
It would leave a sour taste in my mouth, do you even want to continue this business with her? She sounds greedy and entitled. It’s not like you’ve come on to help her business, you did it together.
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This is not the correct approach. You own the company 50/50 and split company profits 50/50. But there’s plenty that happens on the P&L before profits. Find a way to compensate fairly and list it as EXPENSES. She needs to be paid for her work (by the hour or any other measurable unit), as well as you do (by lead, for example).
Simplifying: Revenue – expenses (each gets their own compensation based on amount of work being done) = profit (split 50/50 or reinvest in the company)
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As a business, if anything, getting leads is significantly more important (and harder) than doing the grunt work.
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This does not seem equitable at all. Offer her to buy you out and watch the business dry up. Lead generation is the driving force behind revenue. She’ll eventually learn how valuable it is if she’s forced to fail at it for a while. I feel like, without experiencing this, she wont value what you bring to the table.
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