Guidelines For Running A Business With Your Spouse

Brad Smith • February 25, 2021

You love your spouse and share everything. So, it may seem natural to also share your entrepreneurial dreams with them. You can synchronize work schedules and gain financial independence. If done right, it can grow and deepen your relationship.


However, a couple can be very much in love and still not be a good match when running a business together. While the "mom and pop" business model has often idealized starting a business with your spouse, in today's world, that model can be a bit difficult. Running a business with your spouse adds more complexities to your daily life, as both livelihoods depend on a single business's success.

4 Best Tips For Going Into Business with Your Spouse

Here are the four best tips for going into a business with your spouse:


1. Make Sure Your Spouse Is Suitable For The Job

If your spouse does not have any experience in accounting, do not put them in charge of the books because you want to make room for them in your new business. Also, do not try to relegate a spouse who has a marketing experience to the back office while you are running the business. Either way, it will breed resentment.


2. Discuss Your Vision For The Business

If one wants to build an empire and the other wants to work enough to earn a reasonable wage, you are bound to be frustrated. Face this challenge head-on by sitting down with your spouse and envisioning the business's future.


Create a detailed business plan, which outlines: 

  • Both broad and specific goals
  • The development of the business
  • Provisions for unforeseen obstacles


In this way, you will always share the same perspective. Do not discuss the company's vision once and consider yourself set for life as new challenges and decisions are bound to arise throughout the business.


3. Set Boundaries and Define Roles

Running a business together can blur the boundary lines between your work life and your private life. You must set some rules about how you will work. Each of you should have separate space and privacy - even if you are working out of the garage. You should also clearly define who will handle which part of the business.


It is essential to learn to:

  • Stay out of each other's way.
  • Trust the other to get their job done.


4. Have An Exit Plan

If things do not work out, you need to know who owns which part of the business and who is liable for the business's debts. You may need to have a few difficult conversations later about the possibility of a divorce.


It is not a bad idea to consider a prenup that will outline what happens if you divorce, and it could save what you have built in the future. 

Key Takeaways

Starting a business with your spouse can be incredibly rewarding. The trials and triumphs can bring you closer to your spouse. You can also learn a lot about each other while working towards a shared vision.


As with many great things, there are challenges as well. However, if you commit to tackling it together, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish as a team. As far as legal implications go, it is important to

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