The Power of Partnership: How My Husband and I Thrive in Business Together

When people hear that my husband, Jim, and I work together, they often ask, “How do you make it work?” The truth is, working with your spouse can be incredibly rewarding if you have the right foundation. For us, it’s been a journey filled with mutual respect, complementary strengths, and unwavering support.

1. Respect Above All The most important element in our working relationship is respect. No matter how much we may disagree on a business decision, we always respect each other’s opinions and perspectives. This isn’t just about being business partners; it’s about being husband and wife first. We’ve learned that disagreements are inevitable, but respect is non-negotiable. It’s the glue that keeps everything together, both at work and at home.

2. Embracing Our Unique Strengths One of the reasons we work so well together is that we’ve identified our individual strengths and weaknesses. Jim is a visionary—he’s the one who often sees the big picture first. But we both dream big, and that shared vision drives us forward. I’m the operator, focusing on the day-to-day execution and keeping everything running smoothly. We’ve learned to stay in our lanes, trusting each other’s expertise. We only cross over when one of us is particularly passionate about something, and even then, we approach it with collaboration in mind. This division of roles allows us to be more effective and prevents us from stepping on each other’s toes.

3. Champions of Each Other Another key to our success is that we are each other’s biggest cheerleaders. Jim is my number one fan, and I am his. We encourage, inspire, and motivate each other daily. Whether it’s celebrating a big win or offering support during a tough time, we’re always there to lift each other up. This level of support not only strengthens our bond as a couple but also fuels our drive to succeed in business.

4. Balancing Work and Home Life Jim and I are constantly talking about business—we absolutely love it. We often joke that our business is our baby since, where we have 5 children between us, we don’t have biological children together. It’s a passion we both share, and it’s woven into the fabric of our daily lives. However, we understand the importance of balance. There are times when one of us needs a break, whether it’s a night off or a weekend away from business discussions. This is where our respect for each other really shines. If one of us needs downtime, the other understands and patiently waits until we’re both ready to dive back in. This mutual understanding helps us maintain a healthy work-life balance and keeps our relationship strong both in and out of the office.

5. Overcoming Disagreements Disagreements are inevitable when you’re both deeply involved in a business, but we’ve found a way to navigate them that works for us. If we disagree on something, we take the time to gauge how strongly each of us feels about the issue at hand. We’ve learned that it’s best to go with the person who’s more passionate about that particular subject. This approach ensures that the decision is driven by genuine conviction rather than just a desire to win the argument. It also reinforces our trust in each other’s instincts and keeps our collaboration smooth and productive. By respecting each other’s passions, we turn potential conflicts into opportunities for growth.

6. Constant Communication and Goal Setting We set clear goals and constantly communicate to ensure we’re on the right track. It’s essential for us to be on the same page, both in our business ventures and in our personal life. Regularly discussing our goals keeps us aligned and helps us navigate any challenges that come our way.

Working with your spouse isn’t always easy, but when you build a foundation on respect, recognize each other’s strengths, and become each other’s biggest supporters, it can be incredibly fulfilling. Jim and I wouldn’t have it any other way. We’re not just building a business together—we’re building a life, and that’s something truly special.