Scenario 1: You work for six months and then take on Bob and give him 20%.
Scenario 2: You and Bob start working together from day one and it's a 50/50 split.
The same person in an even slightly different situation can behave wildly differently.
It's quite possible that Bob will feel awkward and detached. Never really able to commit, and always feeling that deep down it's really your company. The last thing you want is a co-founder with a morale problem, especially one lurking beneath the surface.
This is the kind of problem that happens when you're trying to have your cake and eat it too.
You are absolutely right. It won't work in every situation, and I've offered advice many times for 50/50 splits. I don't think it's one size fits all. All I'm trying to say is that one should really consider all the options. If there is a real possibility you can get some traction on your own in that first 6 months, I think in many cases you should go for it.
Scenario 2: You and Bob start working together from day one and it's a 50/50 split.
The same person in an even slightly different situation can behave wildly differently.
It's quite possible that Bob will feel awkward and detached. Never really able to commit, and always feeling that deep down it's really your company. The last thing you want is a co-founder with a morale problem, especially one lurking beneath the surface.
This is the kind of problem that happens when you're trying to have your cake and eat it too.