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Can husband and wife work in the same business if their personalities are in conflict and how does their business relationship influene their marriage and family?

2006-07-30 05:22:09 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance Careers & Employment

6 answers

You mentioned the key words "respecting differences and skills." Can you respect your differences and skills in your marriage? If not, you'll find it impossible at the office.

The reason why a business relationship with your spouse is hard even with an intact marriage is because you're with your "business partner" now 24/7.

Even the best business partners--who are not married--have conflict and tension at times. The thing is, they can go home at the end of the day, put some separation between them, vent their frustrations to their husbands or wives, and then go back to the office and put on a good game face. You tend to use more tact and professionalism with a business partner vs. a spouse with whom you feel you can let down your guard and inhibitions.

You tend to carry over any frustrations or resentments from your marriage into the office and vice versa. Can you feel upset at your spouse/business partner at the office for some work-related problem but then go home and jump into bed with him/her for passionate sex?

Are you both mature and objective enough to deal with problems without getting personal? If you're mad at your spouse for an argument he/she had with your mother, are you going to "take it out" at the office by being cold and unprofessional?

Can you leave work behind and talk not about it incessantly together? You'll need a break, mentally and emotionally, from the business.

Your business relationship will affect your marriage, and your marriage will affect your business. For better or worse?

That's up to you both.

On the plus side, you'll have a business partner whom you can trust. You won't have to share assets.

Set some ground rules: Each takes an area of responsibility. Agree to listen to each other's opinions and advice. Agree that you will disagree sometimes and come up with a way to settle disagreements. Who will have the ultimate say in which areas?

Also, agree that even if one partner doesn't agree with the decision another has made, the other will learn to trust and let go.

Put yourselves through hypothetical scenarios where you might disagree and come up with ways you will settle them.

It is easier to find another business partner than to divorce your spouse. So, unless you're both committed to the marriage AND to the business idea, please don't risk your relationship for money.

In fact, businesses have a high rate of failure. Why not one of you continue with a different job on the side? This way, you'll have money to 1) keep yourselves afloat without putting the pressure on the business to make money too soon; and 2) put back into the business to help it succeed (undercapitalization is the number one reason for business failure).

This doesn't mean that the other spouse can't work in the business or lend a hand. But it does give some separation between the two of you while giving each other something interesting to bring to the table for discussions.

My husband and I envision a day when we'll have a business together, but truthfully, we are very different. And he sorta has the upper hand in our marriage. He won't be able to take me seriously at work--even though I have more business experience and higher education. Ah, well.

We have a great marriage. He has a good business with a good business partner (who drives him absolutely mad sometimes!) And I have my own career.

Maybe when we're old and retired, we'll open up a small business...and we'll probably bicker like crazy...or maybe we'll be too old to worry about the little things...

In any case, best of luck to you both!

:)

2006-07-30 05:50:43 · answer #1 · answered by hope03 5 · 1 0

I have been there, it works out alright if you are able keeping business and home life at the door....My relationship got sour because of all the co workers being in on everything. So I guess it depends on the company and you and your spouse. If the company is big, ask to get moved somewhere else, if you want to keep a happy home life, and one other thing: avoid talking about work when you are home. Its hard - but the only way it will work in the long run ...Good luck!

2006-07-30 05:29:56 · answer #2 · answered by CC Top 3 · 0 0

My husband and I opened our own business in 92'. We've had our ups and Downs at times. But for the most part it's been great. Still in business and still happy. So I guess my answer would have to be, It would depend on the couple. You can only have one boss! That's me. And he respects that. But I would never do anything big without passing it by him first. Those decisions we make as a team.

2006-07-30 05:36:29 · answer #3 · answered by ASTORROSE 5 · 0 0

Maybe not.

I worked in my own business with my first, late wife, 25 years. My second, late wife, 15 years.

May be rare, but a wonderful experience, 24/7.

it's important to take separate duties or responsibilities, and stay the hell out of the way of the other.

2006-07-30 05:28:53 · answer #4 · answered by ed 7 · 0 0

My best answer is Sometimes. If both of you have a clearly defined area of responsibility for your business it can work. However, that has to be sorted out before anything else is begun. Also, there MUST be respect.

2006-07-30 05:27:21 · answer #5 · answered by clarity 7 · 0 0

Yes when I am cherished and respected I always give the same.

2016-03-27 07:12:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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