10 Things Every Couple Should Know When Running a Business Together

Posted on June 7, 2011 by julie No Comments

$500 and a truck.  That’s how we started back in 2001.  Well, there was a little more planning than that but that’s what it boiled down to.  When we started P.E.S.T., Inc. I was still gainfully employed at a law office (which I had been since the age of 14…gave up law school for pest control.  I think it was a good tradeoff but I digress…).  Andy’s job all through high school and beyond was in pest control, and he really wanted to start a business.  Being busy suits my personality so I was completely supportive of Andy following his dream of his own business and I was willing to help in the process.  Eventually I left the law office and now work solely in P.E.S.T., Inc. (and we’ve also expanded our family along the way).  As we’ve evolved, we didn’t really know what we signed up for but we’ve learned some things along the way about working together as a husband and wife team.

1.  Keep God first in all that you do. This is true for ourselves, our marriage, our business.  This sort of trumps everything else that I’m going to say but is paramount for us.

2.  Be willing to support your partner in whatever way you can to help them achieve their dreams. Andy supported me as I obtained my bachelor’s degree from Lipscomb University – emotionally, financially and in every other way imaginable so when it came time to start P.E.S.T., Inc. I committed to be there for him just as he was for me.  Little did I know how much a psychology degree would come in handy in running a small business…!

3.  Know when to take risks and when to be conservative. This comes naturally to us with our personalities but it makes for a good working relationship when we’ve had to make some big decisions.

4.  Trust your spouse’s intuition. There have been some times that I thought Andy was crazy on some decisions and I know vice versa him about me but some of those decisions have been our best.

5.  Make family time a priority. Family used to be just the two of us for the first four years of our business.  It was fun working late at the office and munching on take out pizza for dinner.  Now family time is split amongst our relationship and that of our two children.  No matter what though we find time  to nurture our relationship and of course devote time to the children.  You don’t get these years back and even though at times I’ve felt like I was sinking in work and not getting much done at the level I wanted to at time, I know I’ve made the best decisions for my family.

6.  Be in the moment when with your family. Whether it’s just you or if you have children, the phone call can wait and the email will be there later.  This is a hard one at times but make each moment count as a family.  Your customers will appreciate it and understand.  And even if they don’t, your family will and that’s what matters ultimately.

7.  Make each day fun. We’ve gotten through so many days with humor.  Most recently, I’ve made some changes in my office space.  Andy now likes to call it my “massage parlor”.  It makes me feel better being in the space each day but it’s also nice for a running joke too, even at my expense.

8.  Know your strengths and weaknesses. We each know a little (and sometimes a lot) about what the other does in our business but there are some things we don’t want to have any part of either.  This goes back to trust.  I know what Andy does well and vice versa.  Let if flow.

9.  Don’t let work interfere with home life. Or as is more often the case don’t bring home to the office!  If I’m upset with Andy or he with me, we work that out at home not in front of our employees.

10.  Remember what’s important. This goes to many of my previous points but there is life outside work even though some days it’s all consuming.  Even though today may seem like the hardest day ever and you want to strangle your spouse throw in the towel, it will get better.  But it will only get better if you remember your love for each other and what you’re committed to.  In the end, it’s just you two.  You are your business but your business is not you.  At the end of a long day, watch a funny movie or grab a nice, quiet dinner.  There is a separation between business and home even though each started with you and your spouse.  Remember to be kind, loving and compassionate to yourself and your spouse each day and the rest will work itself out.

-Julie Yant