Running a business with your spouse – without the marriage ending

Finding the right people to work with in business is crucial to your success, so working with your partner can give you an ideal workmate who is as committed to success as you are.

Running a business with your spouse is rewarding, and the tips below should help to ensure an easier ride.

(1) Set visionary goals for the future

If you can picture the success you want to share with your spouse in the future, it will always help to negate any negative energy that comes from spousal disagreements in the now. 

(2) Operate and implement division of labour

Define your roles and respect your spouses’ working style. As much as you may not agree with how your spouse deals with an issue, avoid complicating and debating things. Keeping your roles simple and separate is the key.

(3) Have lots of fun together

This is so important because when you are both working under diverse pressure you have positive memories and rewards to look towards. Take the time to laugh, to go to the movies and to take time out.

Keeping passion alive is important both to your home life, and for the overall health of your business. So have fun as a couple, and have away days for business planning. Remember that branding starts from the inside-out.

Read more on business and relationships:

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• Want to supercharge your firm’s productivity? Encourage office romances
• London actress tries to find love by crowdfunding via Indiegogo

(4) Agree when to start your business day

It is when family talk ends and the business world starts. Obviously, you need to make allowances for social breaks, but have clear start and end times and stick to them. This will prevent business from overtaking your world. It can happen easier than you think, so be mindful of this.

(5)  Agree on how money should be spent, before it’s made

Not having a financial strategy is a recipe for disaster, especially when your business partner is also your life partner. Make clear distinctions between business finance and your household finances. The good thing is that managing your business finance should give you better systems of financial control in the home.

Money is one of the most fundamental reasons for relationship issues, so it’s important that you take care of the pennies and the pounds.

Sam Onigbanjo is a business consultant and he runs one business with his wife.

This married couple seeks enterprise bliss with the help of vodka.

Image: Shutterstock

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