Business partnerships, investment ideas
 

I'm looking for ideas/experiences/knowledge here...

I am in a partnership much like many lawyers, doctors, financial professionals etc. I get my entry ticket/qualifications after the appropriate training, exams, previous experience as an employee. Then I buy into the assets of the partnership (who agree they want me through a typical advert/interview process) and share the profits. So far, so predictable. Real autonomy, control over your own destiny, tax advantages etc.

My wife has so far worked as an employee, collecting experience and qualifications along the way and is wanting to make the step from junior towards senior management. With the skills she has she could be an asset to many companies. She has experience in pharmaceuticals (development, manufacturing and sales), and has a passion for manufacturing, but she made a quick transition to specialist papers and could switch to other roles well with transferrable skills. The trouble is, the local opportunities are scanty with nearly all sectors in decline and we do not want to move. For example, much big pharma marketing/management stuff is SE England based.

We have no idea how you find out about opportunities to invest in and join small local companies where you take up some type of directorship or profit sharing arrangement. She isn't ready for directorship in a medium or large company at this stage though as she needs more experience managing larger numbers of people. Through her previous employment she was in touch with the local business gateway which sounds a good place to start. Obviously relationships need to be built up, instant profits do not arrive, investment and risk are clearly required, but with some assets behind us I think there may be possibilities. We have no particular ideas for a brand new business at this stage, hence the thought of hooking up with entrepreneurs who would benefit from capital and skills.

As I say, any experiences/tips would be very interesting.

John I can't really offer any advice as I have never done it but I wish her all the best, anyone who wants to do better for themselves deserves to make a success of it. :)