I'm going to take 10 Minutes from spending time with my kids and try to give you a real answer: 1. Owner perspective: I have a successful business with X agents bringing in business for me. The split I have with them gives me a little padding to cover my expenses, and some profit on top of that. I run it the way I like it, I've built it, I am happy. 2. Your Perspective: I'd like a greater participation in your business. I want to be your partner. In exchange for equity in the business I'll offer X,X, and X. There is no downside to you because it's all gain. Don't you agree? 3. Owner: Yes, that sounds really great, but I'm kind of happy with the way things are right now. No reason to rock the boat and I've never really liked working with partners. Tried that once and it didn't work out. 4. You: I can understand that. Why don't we do this; Give me 90 days of a higher split. Don't give me any marketing, support, or leads. Give me a prorated cost that the expenses of office space, insurance, phone lines, and internet would cover and remove that from my new proposed split. If at the end of that time, I can prove to you the benefit of this new arrangement then let's sit down and work something out. If I can't prove to you the benefit in 90 days, then I'll go break out on my own. Fair enough? Now listen Champion because this part is important. Do NOT do this unless you are willing to leave. If you are not willing to leave at the end of an unsuccessful trial period then you lose credibility and prove that you have zero leverage in the negotiation. Secondly, the telling him you leave part is important because it will make him truly understand that he might lose you regardless of how things turn out. This is solid advice based on real world experience and 30 years of negotiation. You have to be willing to walk away, otherwise don't even bother negotiating because he's got you by the balls. Good luck...
I don't care if Champion writes 200k a month. What a pain in the ass he must be in the office. I left my corporate job to start my own agency so I don't have to be around idiots all day long. Good luck my friend!