It used to be you kept home and work life separate. Work was neatly stashed at the front door and conversation around the dinner table was pleasantries about the day and weekend activities.
However, there’s a shift happening in the world of business; not just more women starting their own businesses but partners going into business together. It might sound like a recipe for disaster, but with over 70 per cent of Australian businesses owned and operated by couples, bringing them closer as they build their dream.
I started my online business seven years ago. When juggling two kids, a business on the side and a fulltime job became too much, I plunged feet first into a space I love, curating amazing products for mums to be and new mums. Business started to boom and I realised I needed help. Enter stage right, husband Richard.
It was time to team up. I couldn’t do it all myself, so Richard quit his job in finance and looks after the business side. Working in business together gives us flexibility as a family. Now with three children, we’re able to better manage the work/home balance. If I am on a deadline, Richard looks after the home stuff and vice versa, and we don’t have to ask a boss if it is ok.
Working together has changed our relationship and understanding of each other. When Richard was working nine-to-five, neither of us appreciated each other’s roles. Now we understand the frustrations and joys on both side and are more in sync.
It seems this is a common theme across couples in business together – the complementary skills, spending time with each other and backing each other up. But what about the other side of the coin. Surely, it can’t all be peaches and cream?
Donna Maclachlan, logistics manager for Dmac Backloading, said it can be hard sometimes working with your partner. “It can be frustrating; my fiancé has short term memory trouble after recovering from a brain tumour. I have to be his memory. I always run everything by him for his approval and he’ll come across one of these things and ask why did you do this. Now I am going to jot things down and make him sign that he has agreed,” Donna said.
Dee Heath and Kayne Morrison are neck-deep in business together with Launch Scale Automate and they have a new baby. “The disagreements are much more passionate, and we need to be more aware of our emotions. We can both get excited at times and sometimes that can create for an interesting conversation and brainstorming session, especially when clients are involved. We come up with some crazy ideas at times but getting the air time to say them sometimes can be a challenge,” Dee said.
It’s a lot harder to find space. However, when you spend time apart, you appreciate another more. When you are together 24/7 – you know what the other person is doing and you’re in each other’s pockets a lot more. It can be hard to leave business at work and home at home.
While spending all that time together may not be everyone’s cup of tea, working together has changed our relationship. It’s added. Although it was a little cramped working out of the third bedroom, springing for an office was winning idea; renting a room is cheaper than a divorce.
Despite differences and the challenges of turning off at night, couples in business think being able to work with their best friend is a bonus.
Corryn Barakat, Founder, Milk and Love
