So many people say
to me that they don’t know how I can work with my spouse. We
always joke around that we haven’t killed each other yet but there
hasn’t been a time where I have been really upset with him since we
started our business almost 8 years ago.
Maybe some of the
key things that makes working with my spouse as easy as it is are we
have different jobs that we are both strong at doing. I am not a
very technical person when it comes to servers and such so that is
one of the things that I let my husband do for the business. Yes, he
is the server/email/network guy that solves all of those problems.
Sure, I understand some of the stuff and can do some of the other
level technical stuff. I have found that over the last few years
that I do enjoy some of the technical stuff so have been learning it
and am now able to assist in some of the more junior level stuff. Now
when I am dealing with some of the stuff that I deal with for clients
at my level I always know that he is there is I run into trouble.
Now my role in the
business is the technical writer/accountant/sales and a bunch of the
other jobs that come our way. There are times that I joke around
that he is the tech and I am everything else when it comes to the
business but I’m not really. I have my key areas of focus and I
enjoy them and I also know that he is there to help me out when I
need someone to discuss something with.
One of the biggest
things we found is that for both of us to be productive is we need
our own space to work. Yes, we like being together at times during
the day but we need the space where we do our work without the other
one being in the way. We did share an executive office for a while
and found those days were the days that we planned on doing the
things that either needed both of us all the time or at least both of
us most of the day. We now figure out when we need to work together
and plan that time and it is amazing how well it works.
Sure there are times
when we both get frustrated with the other like any couple does but
when we are out at business events a lot of people don’t realize
that we are husband and wife until they see our names. So yes, we are
business partners and there are times when we get upset with the
other but normally we can figure out our roles and we try and stick
to them. I won’t tell him how to fix a technical problem and he
won’t tell me how to fix up the accounting. Yes, we are the
shoulder that is there to talk something through and of course we
don’t always understand everything that is being said by the other
but we help solve the problems just by listening and asking
questions.
We know a lot of
couples that couldn’t work together and that we understand. We are
lucky that we have found a business that works for the two of us and
we can use our strengths in the business but also be there to assist
the other when needed. Working with your spouse can mean that work is
around most of the time but I see that with couples that don’t work
together, they talk shop over dinner and in the evenings so I guess
really we aren’t that much different.
Working with your
spouse for work can be a challenge but as long as you are willing to
give and take it can work out.
