Would you start a business with your significant other?

I help out my wife with her business from time to time but it's in a limited capacity. I've had to say no to getting more involved and those aren't always the easiest of conversations.

I look at it like what's the probability to succeed in business? Low. What's the probability a relationship stays together? Let's say it's not 'high' but more medium to low. So take those probabilities and multiply them together. Low x Medium = Quite Low.

I have been doing this for 5 years now. It's both wonderful and hard, but we will definitely start our next business together as well.

I read somewhere that the biggest predictor of divorce isn't whether you fight often; rather, it's if one/both of you feel contempt for the other. Whether you put them down, think they're less intelligent than you, insult them, etc.

If you and your partner both 100% respect each other (even when you disagree), are each fully committed to improvement, to dealing with frequent, hard conversations, to having to often work on things that 'normal' couples don't usually tackle; if you know that you'll come out stronger (individually and as a couple), but probably different, in significant ways, on the other end (and you're both okay with this), I think you should consider it.

Doing this... its been a bumpy ride. But one thing I'd suggest is each one should have other stuff / projects which makes them happy too.

"Not putting all your eggs in one basket."

Founding as a couple sure feels like you just have one egg to carry and no basket at all to protect it.

Do a trial phase before you jump in full time.

Benefits: you get to spend a lot of time together, have a much more flexible family life than most others and can be sure to trust your business partner 100%.

I did in the past and I will do it again. We get along great, we think alike but not too much so we still challenge each other, and we can compromise so it doesn't come to more serious arguments. And it's the same when we're working on our projects.

I have many family members who have done this and, after seeing their experiences, I would never do it. I would maybe help out with a family member's business, but I wouldn't "go into business" with them.

My parents started out as business partners and later "divorced their business relationship to save their marriage." I think that's a good way to put it :)

This is a tough one. I think the standard advice for people is not to do this. Adding that kind of a stress to a relationship is really tough, and most people aren't going to be prepared for how hard it is, even if they think they are.

There's also the problem of time off. If you're someone that needs to turn off at the end of the day, and your partner isn't, this is going to cause even more stress. I've heard that setting boundaries around work is pretty necessary from people working with their partners.

All that said, if you're fortunate to be in a situation where your partner's skill complement yours, you've got each other's backs, and your rent cheque isn't dependent on the success of the business, then you're in the best position to give it a shot. It really comes down to communication and what you both want out of the your personal and professional relationship.

I would but I'd set and communicate boundaries and blocks of time where business-talk is forbidden.

As long we can both detached and still cultivate intimate relationship I'm totally fine being in the same bed literally and in business.

This comment was deleted 7 years ago