Working with Your Spouse-in The House and at The Office

Posted by Dinesh Kumar on April 1st, 2022

Spouses working together in the family business has been commonplace for decades, even centuries. Over the past several years that practice has moved from a workplace to home-based businesses—particularly during the pandemic. While the workplace may have changed, running a successful business while sustaining a happy and healthy marriage faces many of the same challenges. Perhaps even more.

“Over the years, we have coached a number of married couples who were also business partners—or companies where a spouse also worked in the business,” said Adam Sonnhalter, one of the owners of Maximum Value Partners (MVP), a small business coaching practice based in the greater Cleveland, Ohio area. “It really does take a special couple to sustain a business and marriage. It also takes a conscious effort for couples to establish guidelines and boundaries so that business and family life are not negatively impacted.”

Sonnhalter’s parents, John and Terry, ran an advertising agency for more than four decades and recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Sonnhalter’s partner at MVP, Jack Mencini, recommends defining roles as the key to setting the tone for good communication.

“Spouses can be 50-50 partners in the business but it’s very difficult to run a business with two bosses,” said Mencini. “To the outside world and to staff, somebody has to be in charge. Clearly defining that can set the tone, as well as following some dos and don’ts.”

One of the foremost don’ts is don’t disrespect your spouse in front of your staff. In the eyes of your employees, both of you are the boss and slighting your partner in front of your staff can determine how much respect your mate receives.

For more information on MVP—including Adam and Jack’s long-running podcast, Dirty Secrets of Small Business—visit https://maximumvp.com/ or call (877) 849-0670.

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Dinesh Kumar

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Dinesh Kumar
Joined: February 7th, 2021
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