Most people want partners in their personal lives, and many businesses start with some form of partnership structure. Yet so many personal and professional partnerships disintegrate, sometimes quickly. That’s one reason why our own partnership seems so amazing, even miraculous, to people who know us. “How do you do it?” they constantly ask. “How have you spent so many years living and working together 24/7 without killing each other?”

A general business/how-we-did-it-book, Smart Partners outlines the methods and thinking we’ve used to achieve financial success while also keeping our personal partnership alive and interesting. Drawing on our unique experiences both personally and professionally, we present principles for building, sustaining, and growing not merely serviceable relationships in business and life, but true partnerships.

"Want to be a smart partner? Then follow the stories and principles in this book. You'll learn how to pick the perfect partners, make your partnerships work, and create success in your business and personal relationships."
—Gavin Newsom, Lieutenant Governor of California

"Burba and Hayes share their decades of experience in making partnerships work for them in their business, as well as their personal lives. Smart Partners is a must-read."
—Jason Collins, Former NBA player

"I have had the pleasure of watching Jim and Bob develop an amazing business by not only working hard, but by making very smart decisions about collaborations. Smart Partners is a must-read for every entrepreneur who dreams big."
—Chip Conley, Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy, Airbnb, Best-selling author