Anytime you decide to build a business as an entrepreneur and you’re in a relationship the risk of losing your relationship increases significantly.
However these same characteristics which can break up a relationship can also strengthen a relationship……when you have a plan.
Let’s face it. Relationships are a 24-hour, 7 day a week, 365 (sometimes 366 for Leap Year) commitment. And when you’re an Entrepreneur you are faced with the same commitment as being in a relationship. Separating your business and personal will be difficult if not simply impossible to do. Because of this you can leverage what would usually be a power struggle between your relationship and business and use it to your advantage.
How so?
The person you spend the most time with outside of your business is your romantic partner. Who knows you better than the one you sleep, eat and play with? Who better to compliment you and support your dreams and goals than the one you’re building a life with?
If you think it’s preposterous take a look at these common occurrences happening daily in your relationship and reasons to be in business together:
- You’re already holding each other accountable for the goals you want to meet and when your partner wins, you win and vice versa
- You call each other out on your bs and can see through the smoke
- You have mutual respect and admiration for each other
- You are each other’s cheerleader and wind beneath the wings
- If your relationship is solid, your skills, talents and or passions compliment each other
- You fill in gaps for each other
- You love each other unconditionally
- You trust each other
- You’re friends, probably best friends
- Between the two of you, you can have double the contacts and connections
- You can be super flexible because you know what it takes to meet your partner’s needs.
On the other side of things, because you are in business together, you have to make time for yourself without your partner to keep the relationship balanced. That personal space will be needed even more when you’re constantly around each other to reduce tension and redundancy. You need to be able to miss each other sometimes, too.
Also taking short breaks away from one another during the working hours allows time for the mind to think independently and recharge.
When you are away from the business, keep the intimate side of your relationship a priority by setting boundaries for not talking about the business on a constant basis. Take vacations and leave work behind and make sure you get out and are around people who not related to work.
Building a business together may seem hard and it is not for everyone. You have to look at both of your personalities, dreams and goals, what’s needed at home and at the office. Be truthful with yourself when you assess if your partner can actually provide a business with the commitment and skills it takes to make this lifestyle work. Perhaps after reviewing the pros and cons, it is decided that you both are better off doing your own thing and that’s ok, too.
It is always better and more fun when your team makes it with you and your team is the person you’ve committed your life to. So again, why build with someone else?
