How to Work with Your Spouse successfully.

There’s no question that running a business is a daunting task. But when you have do it as a couple, there’s a special dynamic at play. But even at that, there are about 6 million couplepreneuers here in the U.S. alone who are succeeding working together, people like Bill Gates and his wife Melinda, they are an inspiring example of couplepreneur. They have shown that you can be successful as a team, even when one spouse has different skills or interests from the other. Twenty-six years into their marriage, they co-founded the world’s largest private charitable foundation, I’m talking about the “Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation”. But you know unfortunately, in May 2021, Bill Gates announced their divorce, they believed that they could not grow as a couple in their next phase of life. And that is life for you!


How coupleprenuership can work. Do you know who is a couplepreneur?

Anyways, CouplePreneurs are people in a committed relationship, they co-mingle their personal and professional lives together, they jointly own a business, and they also operate it together. Couplepreneurship is a growing phenomenon in the world today.

Now, 7 rules to run a successful business with your spouse.

Rule number 1. Set clear boundaries. You see, the more precise you can express your boundaries, the more likely your boundaries will be respected. You have to determine who is in charge of what, a kind of division of Labour. I must add that separating your responsibilities within your business will save you a considerable amount of stress in your relationship. And most importantly, listen to this now, you should be able to tell the difference between your bedroom and the boardroom.

Rule number 2. Leave Arguments at Home. For you to have a cordial working relationship, you have leave fights over the dishes and kids at home and focus on work. In fact, before you think of starting a business venture together or even working as colleagues, you need to develop your conflict resolution abilities as a couple and always address conflict as soon as possible.

Rule number 3. Learn to Play Up Each Other’s Strengths. Appreciate each other’s strength. If your spouse is better at making sales calls than you are, let them work their magic. Or probably you’re better at keeping the books, then assure your spouse that you can handle it. The best partnerships are made of two people who recognize each other’s strengths. In addition, make sure you celebrate each other's accomplishments.

Rule number 4. Have time away from each other. It’s healthy to want a bit of a break, so try and set the business up so you’re not working in each other’s space (or face) 24/7 – after all you are practically joined at the hip at home and at work. If you do this you’ll feel recharged, refreshed and ready to work together as a team again.

Rule number 5, give constructive feedback. What are you supposed to do here. You have to state the purpose of your feedback. Also, you have to state what you will be talking about and why it is important. Then you go ahead and describe what you have observed and your reaction. At this point, you give the individual an opportunity to respond. The next thing is to offer specific suggestions or solutions. And then summarize everything you have discussed.

Rule number 6. Always have a robust communication.
Because communication is essential in all areas of life. It lies at the foundation of a happy marriage and a successful business relationship. So, you make sure you talk over everything before making a final decision. Do not hesitate to bring up any concerns you may have. This will show that you trust your partner.

Rule number 7 is a combination of things you may be doing on regular basis to regig your love. Kiss before you leave the house for the day. Ask “How was your day? Respect for each other’s values. And then finally, no business talk in the bedroom.

I will conclude here, but let me say that the rules I mentioned in this video are not a guarantee that working together as boyfriend and girlfriend or even as spouses will be easy but it can be extremely fulfilling, both personally and financially. So, onus is on you to make that decision considering your unique combination of personality traits and communication styles.

Now question of the day: Do you think running a business with your spouse is a good idea? Do you think running a business with your spouse is a good idea?
Please go to the comment session and drop your answer.

Moses Ihenacho.
Watch a very descriptive video here


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phsFqhFr-wc?list=PLzVaUE8-2VQXH78iEOS05rPS7Za1r-CVx