So, You Want to Start a Business with Your Spouse

So, You Want to Start a Business with Your Spouse How to Start a Business with Your Spouse When starting and operating a business, the lines of work and life begin to blur  for small business owners. They  often find themselves answering work emails while at the dinner table or taking conference calls in the car. When starting a business with your spouse, the lines between professional and personal lives become even more intertwined.  While there are benefits  to  starting a business with your partner, it  can be challenging  to maintain both a productive working relationship and a supportive personal relationship. Ian and Jamie Landsman, the founders of  HelpSpot  help desk software,  started  their company 12 years ago and have successfully self-funded the business while  remaining happily married.  It hasn’t been an easy road, but the couple says it isn’t impossible. Here, they share their tips for married spouses thinking about entering the world of entrepreneurship together. Designate Specific Roles   Much like you would for any other employee, detail specific job descriptions  for each spouse when you establish the business. For example,  Ian uses his programming  skills  to work on  the technical side of the business, while Jamie oversees  HelpSpot’s  operations,  strategic planning,  and development. “We outline the roles and responsibilities for each employee at  HelpSpot, and our jobs  are  no different,” said Jamie Landsman. “By understanding what we’re specifically responsible for, there’s no guessing on who is working on what. This keeps us organized  and avoids to-do items falling through the cracks.” Show Respect  to One Another   Once there are certain tasks and responsibilities for each partner,  allow  one another  to own those roles like you would at home. You wouldn’t undermine your spouse on how they load the dishwasher if it’s their turn to do the dishes,  so be sure to  show the same respect at the office.   “While  I  might  have a different approach to solving  a  problem  than Jamie,  I know that she’s thought through the most appropriate plan of action,” said Ian Landsman. “It’s not  healthy  to challenge every move she makes â€" either at home or  at  the office. Plus,  it’s inefficient  when running a business.”   Keep Personal Topics  at Home   It’s impossible to keep all personal and professional conversations separate,  but  if you’re working with other employees, it’s best to  stay on the topic of work. Minor one-offs  are acceptable, like confirming  who’s picking up the kids from daycare, or  if  you’re going to be late to dinner.  Deeper marital conversations  should take place at home, away from the eyes and ears of other staff members.  To  co-owners of  a  business, what may seem like a  simple discussion or minor argument  unrelated  to work  might,  in fact,  spark doubts of job-security  among  employees.     Bring  on Other Employees   When the time is  right,  and your SMB is growing, bring on staff members that can handle the workload and fill in any knowledge gaps  between you and your spouse.  It helps to relieve  some of the  stress when there are  other people  to  help  balance  the work, which will  ultimately  alleviate any added pressure  on your relationship.     “Hiring more employees allowed us to further create separation of responsibilities between us so  we weren’t  in direct conflict on things,” said Ian. “Jamie stays on her side of the business, and I stay on mine.”     Jamie added, “We hired our first employee 3 years into owning  HelpSpot. She worked remotely and was hired as a support person. It was a great help.”     Be  in  it Together   At the end of the day, the ultimate benefit of starting a business with your spouse is that you’ve got an incredible partner  to share ideas and successes.  It only works, though, when you both believe in the company and each other.     “There are definitely going to be rough patches when you’re married and own a business together,” said Ian. “What  has helped  us get through those times is knowing that we have each other’s back  at the end of  the day.”     Starting a business with your spouse can be a great benefit because you’ve already proven  that you work well together, can make it through good times and bad, and  support one another.  However, it’s a big undertaking to operate a family  and  a business,  which can  add pressure to your relationship.  Your  best business partner may already be standing next to you, as long as you lay some ground rules. Join Dana  Manciagli’s  Job Search Master Class  now  and get the most comprehensive job search system available!