Starting a Business with a Spouse

1. Are you and your spouse actually ready to start a business?

Your company won’t be successful if one partner is all in and the other is on the fence. Before starting a business with a spouse, take a step back to analyze the situation. Is launching a business something you are both passionate about? Understand the complete picture by discussing the pros and cons of starting a business together. Bring your concerns to the table in the beginning. How will this affect your personal life and marriage? You should both really want it in order for this adventure to work out.

2. Discuss your vision for the business

If one wants to build an empire and the other wishes to work just enough to earn a reasonable salary, you’re bound to get frustrated. Face this challenge head-on by sitting down with your partner and envisioning the business’ future. Create a detailed business plan, which outlines the development of the business, provisions for unforeseen obstacles and both broad and specific goals. This way, you’ll always share the same perspective.

For example, decide how many customers you wish to acquire, and how quickly? How will you market your product/service? What do you hope to achieve within the first year? Where do you envision the business 5 years from now?

Don’t discuss the company’s vision once and consider yourself set for life. Over the course of the business, new challenges and decisions are bound to come up. When you’re just starting a business with a spouse, you’re unlikely already deciding on whether or not to hire employees or open a second store. These issues develop over time and require an updated vision statement.

3. Create a financial plan

Money is the number one cause of divorce and cash flow the top challenge for new business owners. How much of your personal finances are you willing to risk? How will this venture impact your lifestyle? On average, it takes between 12 to 18 months for a startup to start making a profit, so what will you live off?

You could start saving for an emergency fund, cut living expenses, have one partner keep a part-time job or create some combination of these. Be extra prepared for financial ups and downs, especially if you have children. Clarify what each of you is willing to risk for the sake of the business and respect those financial boundaries.

4. Engage in different activities

Spending day and night with your partner can be nice, but it’s ok to want a break from working with your spouse. Set time aside for the things you enjoy – whether it’s dining out with a friend, hitting up the gym or walking your dog in the park. It provides you both with the opportunity to add some balance to your busy lives. In addition to “me” time, you’ll come away with something new, different, and totally yours to talk about that doesn’t involve the business.

5. Build-in time to reconnect as life partners

Don’t allow work to consume your relationship. You’re life-partners first, then business partners. Declare certain times of the day, for instance, dinner time, as off-limits for business discussions. You stress enough at the office, so once the day is through, you and your spouse should transition to focusing on home, family and enjoying each other.

Invest a little extra in your marriage by occasionally taking each other out on dates. You’re married to the best person in the world, remind them of that!

6. Know your personality types

Assess the strengths and weaknesses of both you and your partner. Perhaps your spouse is an early-riser and enjoys socializing with everyone in sight. Maybe you prefer working later in the evening and actively avoid small talk with others. Accept differences and focus on complementing each other.

7. Define roles within the company

Now that you’ve assessed your personalities, define your roles based on your strengths and weaknesses, or even just preferences. Is one of you terrible at math? Does one pay attention to detail and the other to the big picture? Make it clear who is responsible for what. Write detailed job descriptions that clearly outline duties and expectations.

Once you’ve outlined the expectations, trust your spouse to do their job. Don’t turn into a micromanager. It signals to your partner that you aren’t confident in their abilities. You’re married and owning a business together; don’t let it become a power struggle! It puts both the business and, more importantly, the marriage, at risk.

8. Address differences and resolve disputes

Strong communication is key to every aspect of your relationship. Giving your partner the silent treatment not only destroys productivity but also causes marital problems. Instead, hold weekly meetings to review the company’s performance, address problems and plan for future improvements.

Give praise where praise is due, but don’t be afraid to provide constructive feedback if necessary. Honesty is important to a successful business partnership with a spouse. The company is a team effort, so don’t be a solo player.

9. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Just because you’re working with your spouse, doesn’t mean all business operations should strictly be between husband and wife. If necessary, bring in an employee to assist in certain areas and help take the pressure off you and your partner. As you grow, you’ll likely need to hire more staff, which is a good thing!

10. Be nice to each other

Running a company is mentally and physically straining. Customers will annoy you, finances may get tight and you’ll probably need to pull some incredibly long hours. Remember that you’re on each other’s team. Kindness is essential to ensure the survival of the business… and your marriage.

11. Reap the rewards

You have a unique relationship if you’re lucky enough to own a business with your spouse, so appreciate it! A business partnership with your favorite person can be intense, but also extremely rewarding; you get to share the passion for the business with the one you love.

Celebrate your successes together. Toast to the important milestones, laugh about an unreasonable customer and cheer when you exceed the month’s expected revenue. Moments like these make you remember why you went into business with your spouse in the first place. Revel in your success, you deserve it.

Starting a business with a spouse sounds like a dream come true, but many couples refrain from the idea due to financial risks. Factoring helps transform your dreams into reality by improving your cash flow. This method of alternative financing helps keep your business afloat by purchasing outstanding invoices and advancing the cash, so you maintain a stable company and a happy marriage.