The moment you invite an external partner into your business, you're handing them partial control of your brand's reputation. Yet too many founders treat the vendor selection process like a checklist item instead of the strategic risk decision it actually is. Here's how to approach it differently — and avoid the costly mistakes that come from rushing into the wrong partnership. Here's why vendor relationships go wrong:The team looks great on paper, but lacks context. Related: Don't Fall For These Tricks: 5 Things You Shouldn't Do When Selling a BusinessChoosing a vendor is a strategic decision, not a taskChoosing the wrong vendor doesn't just cost money — it eats time, erodes momentum and damages trust.