fbpx
Potentash
  • Relationships
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Dating
    • Sex
    • Parenting
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Food + Beverage
    • Fashion
    • Interviews
  • Fiction
    • Poetry
  • Skin + Beauty
    • Skin
      • Skincare
    • Hair
      • Haircare
  • Wellness
    • Physical Health
    • Emotional Wellness
    • Mental Wellness
    • Social Wellness
    • Spiritual Wellness
  • Business
    • Business Finance
    • Personal Finance
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Investments
    • Personal Investments
  • Entertainment
    • Internet
    • Events
    • Music
    • Books
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
Potentash
  • Relationships
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Dating
    • Sex
    • Parenting
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Food + Beverage
    • Fashion
    • Interviews
  • Fiction
    • Poetry
  • Skin + Beauty
    • Skin
      • Skincare
    • Hair
      • Haircare
  • Wellness
    • Physical Health
    • Emotional Wellness
    • Mental Wellness
    • Social Wellness
    • Spiritual Wellness
  • Business
    • Business Finance
    • Personal Finance
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Investments
    • Personal Investments
  • Entertainment
    • Internet
    • Events
    • Music
    • Books
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
Potentash
No Result
View All Result
A two faced man Image from: https://ideas.ted.com/dont-get-fooled-or-conned-again-here-are-the-5-tactics-to-look-out-for/

A two faced man Image from: https://ideas.ted.com/dont-get-fooled-or-conned-again-here-are-the-5-tactics-to-look-out-for/

Belgian Man Conned Over 40 Million By His Kenyan Best Friend – Here Are Tips For Getting Into Business Partnerships With Friends

Sabella Ombati by Sabella Ombati
August 16, 2022
in Entrepreneurship
Reading Time: 8 mins read
30 2
0
38
SHARES
211
VIEWS
FacebookTwitterWhatsApp

On July 25th, 2022, a man named Jan Proost narrated a story on the Lynn Ngugi show about how a man who claimed to be his closest friend betrayed his trust and conned him. Jan met William Murage in Belgium in 2012. The two worked together and ended up forming a friendship. Along the way, they decided to venture into business together.  

Jan assisted William in buying leather seats and gym equipment from Belgium, which they would import to Kenya and sell at a shop that William opened. Convinced by William, he also helped him to construct apartment buildings in Kasarani. Jan fully trusted in William, so he had no issue lending him money whenever he needed it or funding the projects they had together.  

They had agreed that the money earned would go to a joint account and that they would split the profits. However, as time passed, Jan noticed that the money in their account remained the same despite sales being done. Since he was in and out of Kenya frequently, he had entrusted William to deal with their projects.   

Things started escalating when Jan would ask about the money, and William would snap at him. As time passed, William asked Jan to move out of the apartment he was staying in, and he moved one of his relatives in. The apartment that he helped him to build.   

When asked why he put so much faith in William, he said his friend had assured him they would benefit from their projects. He was also always on top of things, especially when acquiring the necessary legal documents for their business. Jan knew that the process was hectic and long, especially for him as a foreigner, and since William knew a shortcut, he decided to let him get the documents his way.  

To be able to get both sides of the story, Lynn spoke to William on call, and he denied everything that his friend had said. He insisted that the business was his as well as the apartments and that the only money he owed Jan was a personal loan of 6 million. Since Jan let William handle nearly everything, the only substantial evidence he had was phone call recordings of their conversations.   

Eventually, after many unfulfilled promises, Jan took legal action, and William agreed to pay him 100k every month to clear the loan. However, this didn’t seem to satisfy Jan since he had invested so much in their business and the construction of the apartments. Additionally, he had given William money to acquire land in Nakuru, which did not happen.   

According to Jan, he had spent over 40 million on the projects, and William was the one enjoying the fruits of his investment. A man he had trusted so much as his friend had conned him and left him struggling as he was thriving. 

Jan finished by saying that he had chosen to share his story with the world to prevent other people from going through what he went through. He also did it to try and get back all the money he had lost.  

How this Belgian man was conned over 40 million by his Kenyan Bestfriend… 

Here is a list of things you can do to avoid this incident from happening to you.  

Make Sure That You And Your Friend Are Compatible Business Partners  

When choosing a business partner, especially a friend, you should consider whether the two of you can effectively run a business. Some of the qualities that make people good friends may not be the qualities that make people suitable business partners.   

Consider asking yourself these few questions before entering a business agreement.  

  • Do you share the same goals?  
  • Have you dealt with conflict before? If yes, were you able to reach a mutual understanding?  
  • Do you have the same work ethic?  

Communicate About Your Goals And Expectations  

Once you have established that you and your friend can work together, talk about what you both expect from the business. Think about your vision and establish a timeline for reaching your key goals. From time to time, sit down with your partner and review what you have been able to accomplish. This helps you keep good track of what is happening.   

Take Part In The Steps Required To Start A Business  

Always be present during the startup process, no matter how long it takes. Don’t give in easily to shortcuts since the legal documents you acquire are vital and may help you prove your presence in the business if such a case arises.  

Have A Witness Present During Important Decisions  

 Always having a third-party present when making significant decisions about a business is essential. You can choose to have a lawyer or anyone you trust oversee and ensure both parties sign all the necessary documents.   

Communicate Openly And Effectively

Venturing into a business with a friend can be tricky. You are never sure of the outcome, so to be on the safe side, you should always be keen on their moves. If the other party makes a move that does not sit right with you, point it out; if the money doesn’t seem to add up, inquire and follow up. If you don’t agree with your partner about a decision, they have made for the business discussion and come up with a solution that works best. 

You should also find a communication system that works best for both of you, it could be daily catch-up meetings and monthly meet-ups for full updates.

Keep Track Of Profits And Investments  

Money can come between a friendship as well as a partnership. Open a business account you both have access to, then agree that there will be complete transparency regarding finances. No partner should be allowed to remove funds from the business without the other partner’s consent. This will ensure that both of you maintain the trust needed to run the business. Each partner should also have a record of all the sales and profits made daily.   

Separate Business From Your Friendship  

Drawing the line between when to be friends and when to be business partners is essential. Whatever happens to your business should not affect your friendship and vice versa. Remember that business is never personal. Set time apart to deal with business and time to hang out and relax. This will help nurture your friendship and maintain a healthy business relationship. 

You should check out

Entrepreneurship: Tips For Running A Business With A Friend

He Lost His Laptop Because His Friend Was Hypnotized. Scam Or Genuine, What Do You Think?

What Must You Know When Starting a Business?

Share15Tweet10SendShare3Pin3
Previous Post

Kenyan Born Photographer Polly Irungu Lands Top White House Job As First Photo Editor In US Vice President’s Office

Next Post

6 Main Benefits Of Using Accounting Software

Sabella Ombati

Sabella Ombati

I am a media practitioner who is passionate about creative writing and content creation. During my free time I love to engage in outdoor activities or create African paintings.

Next Post

6 Main Benefits Of Using Accounting Software

Please login to join discussion

Recommended

Wambui Bobo Is Changing Lives One Facebook Post At A Time

April 7, 2020
1.2k
Pumpkin seeds. Image from https://greenblender.com/smoothies/9363/health-benefits-of-pumpkin-seeds

8 Amazing Health Benefits Of Pumpkin Seeds

August 5, 2020
692

Popular Stories

  • Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/happy-ethnic-woman-sitting-at-table-with-laptop-3769021/

    The Beautiful Intern Was Shaking Things Up At Work And I Was Jealous

    15 shares
    Share 6 Tweet 4
  • She Was My Childhood Best Friend But We Were Also Rivals. Our Relationship Went Downhill When I Fell In Love… With Her Brother

    14 shares
    Share 6 Tweet 4
  • My Boss Set Me Up With A Client Who Made My Life Hectic

    548 shares
    Share 219 Tweet 137
  • 11 Life Hacks For People Going Through Tough Financial Situations

    212 shares
    Share 85 Tweet 53
  • Single Lady In Nairobi: I Settled For The Wrong Guy Because My Clock Was Ticking And It Cost Me!

    1840 shares
    Share 736 Tweet 460

Potentash Blog

Potentash

Potentash is an award-winning lifestyle blog. We publish lifestyle content that intersects with health, women, beauty, travel, business, relationships, finances and entertainment.

Explore

  • The Singlehood Series
  • From Stairs To Ramps
  • Man Around Nairobi
  • Pearls And Heels
  • Personal Finance
  • Food + Beverage
  • Editor’s Pick
  • Reviews

Get the Potentash Newsletter

  • Newsletter Archive
  • Subscribe
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2023. Potentash, In Partnership with Decima

  • Login
No Result
View All Result
  • Relationships
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Dating
    • Sex
    • Parenting
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Food + Beverage
    • Fashion
    • Interviews
  • Fiction
    • Poetry
  • Skin + Beauty
    • Skin
      • Skincare
    • Hair
      • Haircare
  • Wellness
    • Physical Health
    • Emotional Wellness
    • Mental Wellness
    • Social Wellness
    • Spiritual Wellness
  • Business
    • Business Finance
    • Personal Finance
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Investments
    • Personal Investments
  • Entertainment
    • Internet
    • Events
    • Music
    • Books

Copyright © 2023. Potentash, In Partnership with Decima

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Linked In
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In