Retail manager owns business with brother, demands to buy him out when he starts micromanaging: 'He's been really disrespectful'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Jul 15, 2026 9:15 AM EDT

Can business and family ever be a good mix?

The unfortunate truth about working with your relatives is that learning to balance your professional relationship with your personal one is a job in itself. Some families manage to keep on top of their work and make a great team, but others struggle to make the transition from being related to also being coworkers or co-owners. There is no telling what arguments could be had once you have the same workplace.

A common issue that arises when a family works together is a power struggle. One person believes that they have more authority than another, even if that isn't technically true, and they start trying to dictate how everything should happen. It is understandable to find this annoying in any context, but especially if you have supposedly started a business together. While it is difficult to make things 100% equal all of the time, the least you can do is attempt to communicate fairly and make sure that everyone involved has a set of responsibilities they are happy with.

It is easy for resentment to build when somebody wants to take charge in a way that feels unfair. It can lead to some drastic consequences.

 

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  • A retail worker smiles and crosses his arms in front of a display of bulk food containers
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A retail worker smiles and crosses his arms in front of a display of bulk food containers

  • A retail manager was getting increasingly annoyed at the behavior of his brother, who co-owned the store with him. He was the one who managed the day-to-day functioning of the store, while his brother had a more hands-off approach to the business.

    In recent times, his brother's attitude towards the store had changed, and he was increasingly critical of the manager, as well as monitoring him more closely. It got to a point where he couldn't take it anymore, and while business was slow, he suggested that he buy him out and own the store all by himself. Neither his brother nor his family was happy with this idea.

  • Am I wrong for telling my brother that I'll buy his part of the business or I'm out (I'm the one who knows how to run the business and how things work)?

    so me and my brother bought a business together and we both own 50%. The thing is, I'm the one who runs the store, deals with the employees, customers, bills, and pretty much everything that happens day to day.
    via safo996
  • For the last couple of months, he's been acting like he's my boss. He calls me telling me what to do, tells me I need to wear my uniform, and keeps checking the cameras even though he's almost never at the store.
    via safo996
  • A retail worker writes on a clipboard while looking at shelves of groceries
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A retail worker writes on a clipboard while looking at shelves of groceries

  • He's also been really disrespectful to me. He yells at me, talks to me like I'm below him, and more I'm the youngest brother, so sometimes I feel like he thinks he can treat me however he wants.
    via safo996
  • The business has also been slow lately. He has helped with some money, usually around $200 for bills, but I decided not to pay myself so we could still pay the employees and not cut their hours. After dealing with all the disrespect, I told him he either needs to sell me his half or I'm leaving the business.
    via safo996
  • He got really mad and said I was leaving him alone, not caring about his effort, and not valuing the money he put into the business. Now my family is mad at me and some of them are not talking to me
    via safo996
  • Cheezburger Image 10647251200
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A retail worker holds two bags of product in front of a shelf of groceries

  • SaltyBlackBroad Buy him out, and next time you have a partner, either don't have a partner or one of you needs to be 51%
    via SaltyBlackBroad
  • Gemfyre1 Nta. He can take it or leave it. You don't need his disrespect.
    via Gemfyre1
  • WonderingMe Why did you get into business with a golden child man baby?
    via W0nderingMe
  • AsherTheFrost NTA, but if the business is doing so poorly that you've had to forgo your own wages to make sure the employees get paid it doesn't really sound like it's worth buying your brother out. May be better to just give him your half and leave to better things.
    via AsherTheFrost
  • shoulda-known-better Sell your half to someone else if he won't buy you out It's a partnership... You can't continue if that's not how it's treated by all involved simple as that.. Golden boy or not he is partner in business not above you
    via shoulda-known-better
  • Truescent11 Whatever you do, wait until you're cool, calm and collected. No rash decisions.
    via Truescent11
  • BipolarPrime Here's how I see family and business: If they don't own part of the business, and they don't know anything about the business, then they need to stay out of your business. Business and family don't mix.
    via BipolarPrime
  • SpiteWestern6739 Nta, but hopefully this has taught you a valuable lesson about going into business with family
    via SpiteWestern6739
  • TheDinoSir2012 Nta - You have recipts with hours logged. Pretty sure showing one partner with 500 hrs and the other with 5 would shut the family up. And if not it's not family worth keeping
    via TheDinoSir2012
  • WhiskeyCity502 NTA. Stroke your brother a check, pick up his key and change the passwords. Good luck.
    via WhiskeyCity502
  • kah43 NTA. Working with family is almost always a nightmare.
    via kah43

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family drama retail worker business store
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