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10 List for Couples in Business Together
1.
Choose a venture that both of you are passionate about.
For a business to be successful and fun, both of you need to be really excited
and feel drawn towards the idea. Reluctant tag-alongs can dampen enthuisasm and
drain energy.
2. Divide tasks according to your skills and abilities.
Take the time to really learn what each other's talents are. Don't expect each
of you to do all things well. Figure out who does what best and define tasks around
those strengths.
3. Respect each other's differences.
Each
of you is a separate being with your own style and way of doing things. There
is no one Right Way to get the job done. This individuality needs to be acknowledged.
4. Develop a business team.
Have others
available to you for assistance, expertise, and support. A good accountant, lawyer,
business coach, etc., can provide valuable information and ideas that will save
you much time, effort and money in the long run.
5. Schedule regular business meetings.
Even though you may have access to each other nearly all the time, regularly scheduled
meetings give you a planned structure and focus to discuss your ideas, challenges,
and concerns. It's important to have time when you can be fully attentive to each
other without distractions.
6. Communicate well.
Just because you're
partners in real life, and may know each other very well, don't assume anything
about what either of you thinks or feels about running your business. Talk, talk,
and talk some more. Ask questions to learn more, and don't be afraid of discovering
new things about your partner or yourself. This is half the fun of being in business
together!
7. Create balance in your life.
No matter
how much you enjoy working together, don't overlook developing your personal life
as well. It's important to have time to rest, play, get grounded, be with friends
and family, and nurture your couple relationship in ways that keep you emotioanlly
connected. Burnout is a mojor cause of both business failure and relationship
break-ups of couples who work together.
8. Build reserves.
As part of your business
financial plan, build in expenses to allow for the two of you to get away from
the business at the same time on a regular basis. Whether you find competent help,
or can close your business for periods of time, you need to have the time to have
a life together apart from the business.
9. Show your appreciation.
Most poeple
value being appreciated at work even more than making extra money. Be sure to
let each other know how much you appreciate each other's contributions to the
business. Making this a daily habit would likely incrase the positive feelings
between you and your productivity by 100%.
10. Have fun.
You went into business together
to create a valuable service or product, do a good job, and make it profitable.
Don't take yourself too seriously and ruin the fun of it. There will be everyday
hassles and challenges. Keep them in perspective. If your business stops being
fun for you, it probably won't last long anyway. And then what will you do? Work
for someone else?
Linda Davies and Gloria Bailey are co-directors of Women's Therapy Associates in Hartford, CT. Linda is also a personal and relationship coach. For more information, contact Linda at (508) 255-4913 or rainbowcoach@capecod.net.
