Even though my wife doesn't acknowledge my business effort, does that make it any less a business?

Question

I own a lawn care business. Last year was my first year in business and I didn't do too well. I had 10 regular customers who I would mow for aout every two weeks.
When I mention being a business owner or having a "business" my wife just laughs or says "I'm sure". She wants me to work for someone else so we'll know how much money is going to be coming in every week.
What's it going to take for her to recognize my dreams and my efforts?

Answer 1

Your wife sounds like a very uncaring, selfish person. And not a very good wife at that. Sorry if that sounds mean, but I have been threw this with my own husband. And there has never been a time when I didn't support him in it.

I worked very long hours, on afternoons so my kids wouldn't have to be in daycare, and I paid all of the bills when my husband opened his first business. I never once looked down at him, or didn't support him in his dreams.

She needs to realize that building a business takes time. But you also have to be out there trying to build your clientele.

Our first business was doing great by the second year, and I stopped working and stayed home with the kids. But Sept. 11th killed the construction business here. He did basement waterproofing, new construction.

So last year my husband went back to driving a cab part time to make extra money. He drove cab many years ago, before we met. And said he would never go back to it, but he had too.

He decided he wanted to own his own cars, with drivers working for him. He was going to put his own cars on with a cab compnay in the city. I didnt want him to do that, and didnt want him driving there.

So I convinced him to work in a college town not far from us. He now has his own cab and sedan company. I invested a large amount of my own money into the business to get it going.

And by this summer we will be the 3rd largest in the area. We don't have enough cars or drivers now to keep up with the calls he gets. And he still drives because he thinks he has too, but I know he would get bored if he didn't.

And this fall he finally told his customers from the other business, that it just wasn't worth it to keep it open, And that he needed to put all of his time into building the cab business up.

Just hang in there, and keep going. That is all you can do. And once you get your business up and going, and making good money. She will feel pretty stupid, and very bad for not supporting you like she should.

It is a shame she doesn't realize that, in the end this will make both of your lives better.
Good luck to you, and your business.

Answer 2

i dont know because i dont know your wife. but i would tell to let any comment of her part tear you and or your dreams down. What happens to you happens to alot of other men and women. just tell her i will remember this laugh when my bank acc starts growing or somethin like that. research on how the owner of blockbuster and walgreens started and look how their companys are now, print and hand them to her. every where there is lawn to be mowed the greens will always be there im sure your business will get better. remember the first years wont be so good but as long as you have work . keep going , dont stop what your doing you can be the next great business.lottssssssss of goooood luck

Answer 3

Just keep doing what you are doing. You seem happy with this business. She just sounds scared that it isn't going to fall through. Tell her you are trying to establish your own business and it is your dream to do so. Tell her you do not want to crush your dream by working for someone else. Now on the other hand if it isn't working out and money isn't coming in then yes you need to find something that will bring in the money so you can pay the bills.

Answer 4

Takes a while to build up clientele, but in your downtime, you need to be actively looking for clientele or making money on the side actively. If you had 10 clients (and i've been in the lawn care business myself), you're not working hard enough. When you get to 100 clients, you'll be ok. Strive harder. Sounds to me like you've let her down a few times before and she's just waiting for you to get off your *** and make a dream a reality.

Answer 5

She's probably a little jaded right now because there's not a lot happening with the business. Maybe you could try letting her in on the business a little more, so she can see first hand what it takes to run it. She might feel a little more 'invested' too.

Answer 6

It sounds as if your wife doesn't respect you or feels you could do more or better for yourself?

If you are not capable of mowing for more than ten clients, then i guess this is all you can do.

You didn't mention your circumstances.

Answer 7

Who is paying the bills?