Some couples say to me “I could never work with my spouse”, we would kill each other”. Yet over 80% of UK small to medium-sized businesses are family-owned, and most involve both life partners working together. For some, it may have been a deliberate choice to take a skill and work for yourself, rather than have a boss. Alternatively, redundancy, corporate bureaucracy or forced location moves are just a few reasons why people decide to start their own businesses.
In the journey of managing a business together as life partners, the most profound secret we’ve discovered is the art of balancing our roles. This doesn’t just mean dividing tasks in the business but also understanding when to be a business partner and when to be a life partner. For instance, consider the story of Alex and Jordan, who run a successful café. They have a golden rule: “At work, we are co-founders; at home, we are life partners.” This simple mantra helps them switch roles seamlessly, ensuring that work disputes don’t spill into their personal life and vice versa.
Looking for the golden rules to develop a failproof business succession plan? According to an article by Jason Arnold, found on the Inspire website, there are seven essential steps to success. And… – I’m throwing in an extra bonus rule at the end!
Being a business owner is unique, and being in a business partnership with your spouse is even more so. What is the crucial ingredient to thriving in this dual role? Understanding and honouring your values, as well as those of your spouse. This understanding is key to creating a successful business and a strong marriage.
Recently, I came across an intriguing survey entitled ‘5 things I find attractive in a spouse’. As I scrolled through the 25 responses, mostly from women, I found myself nodding and raising an eyebrow in equal measure.
There wasn’t any analysis provided, so I figured why not put on my detective hat and present you with my take on it? Not everyone provided a comprehensive answer or listed five traits, but for those who did, here’s a quick summary:
