NFIB

When Your Business Partner Is Your Spouse
03/ 12/ 2004


Couples who work together know that being married and in business can be great or lousy. And sometimes it's both in the same day. If you're navigating the tricky path of marriage and business, Edith Helmich has some thoughts for you to keep things harmonious.

A "mom and pop" business is more than just a figure of speech. Census figures do not keep track of exactly how many of the approximately 14 million Americans working full-time from home-based businesses are married couples, but estimates are that husband-wife business partners are on the rise.

The rewards and satisfactions that result from a husband-wife business include channeling business profits back into the family, negotiable fringe benefits like vacation and sick days, and built-in commitment and loyalty to the company.

If husband-wife partnerships sound like a rose garden, it is wise to remember that rose bushes have thorns. Some of the advantages can easily turn into disadvantages unless both partners are aware of the pitfalls and temptations of this business arrangement.

With many husband-wife home businesses, little thought is given to roles or job descriptions; each partner does a little bit of everything. In the worst case scenario, lack of job expectations results in unfinished tasks or disagreements about who should have done something that did not get done. Each partner does not need to know every tiny detail of the daily business operation, but there must be a sound general understanding of what is going on, what is new, and what is coming up. Most husband-wife teams agree that it is important to talk out a breakdown of responsibilities and accept that -- in certain areas -- one or the other is responsible for seeing that the task is done.

The majority of home business partners agree that the effort required for a successful business was far more than they anticipated. Long hours and hard work often leave little time for relaxed communication even when husband and wife are working together. Taking and giving constructive criticism should be an ongoing process that occurs without disagreement or argument. Setting aside a time each day or each week to discuss minor problems allows a more casual approach to problem solving and saves time in the long run.

Most couples spend a good part of their waking hours apart at separate jobs and come home at the end of the day. When working hours are spent at home, it is important to separate the business time from the personal family time. Conscious efforts -- such as keeping regular working hours and letting an answering machine pick up business calls in the evening -- are necessary. The temptation to make a home business a daily, round-the-clock preoccupation can be hard on a marriage and family life.

To counter the constant togetherness, most husband-wife teams agree that everyone needs a little space. Free time to spend with the family and on non-business interests and friends is important. Equally important is time spent together in social activities -- where the business is not discussed at all. A well-balanced life with multiple support systems results in greater personal happiness and, ultimately, to a more successful business as well.

Husband-wife teams can honestly say that they love their partners. Having someone you love filling a multi-dimensional role of boss, employee and partner has obvious advantages: that is why thousands of couples continue to choose a business partnership with their spouse!

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