I'm thinking about asking my former employer to invest in me. He recently told me he is phasing out of the business within the next three years and plans to sell his business (which is way out of my price league). I can't think of a better business relationsonship I'd rather have than with the man who has taught me everything I know. I have spent the last year gathering what I can but still have a long way to go, money being the restraint. I do not plan on starting to big. I work 4 10's a week as a machinest so I have evenings and threeday weekends for treework. There are two tree services in the area, around 200 sq. mi.'s. One including my ex boss, the other mainly concentrating on commercial work. I have obtained a 12 acre commercial lot with a big pull barn, a 95 dodge 2500 4x4 V10 pickup, an 84 dodge 4x4 3500 dumpbox, a 94 jeep cherokee (not sure if it's going to be of any use, but its my everyday driver so it stays), already had climbing gear and saw, an 18 ft. 5500 lb. car trailor, and a 2500 lb. 12' by 6.5' utility trailor. So I'm left with needing a chipper, stumper, a decent sized chainsaw (maybe two) and some little things. So long story short here are some of my questions. Has anyone gone into an investment situation and if so what where some of the stipulations. I was thinking something like 7% return on a 10 year plan. With an exit clause for him after 5, if 75% of his original investment hasn't been fulfilled he gets what was purchased with it. My other qustion is how much am I looking at needing to get rolling. I figured a small chipper, bc625a or similar. At least one year of general liability. and the aforemention items. Any insight would be greatly appreciated for at most times I am lost but still holding on to the dream. And if it helps my former employer grosses around $130,000 to $180,000 a year. Which is really good for the area.