We know a couple who once moved their shared office (they’re both self-employed) out of their home. When asked why, one half said, “We had a choice, either keep the office in the house or stay married.” The other nodded sagely, then laughed.
More and more couples today are going into business together. We’re defining couples as people who are either married or living together. This means that work is no longer a break from home life. In theory, at work, you spend the day working on projects and talking about matters that have nothing to do with whose turn it is to take out the garbage or wash the dishes. But when it’s your significant other next to you, not only is that person your co-worker helping you complete that project management presentation but he/she also knows all of your most intimate secrets.
There’s no doubt that you will lose privacy. Any inflated boasts you tell your partner about accomplishments at work are now subject to inspection. Similarly, any work excuses you use to avoid home responsibilities are nullified.
So why do couples decide to work together? Time. When both halves of the relationship are self-employed, time is the most precious commodity. And it’s even more precious when children are involved. There is so much overhead involved with running one’s own business, that running two one-person businesses under the same roof can make it feel like you’re working at cross purposes.
Working together means you’ll have one set of billing records, one set of tax records and one set of clients. And all of this can add up to a more balanced, less hectic work and personal life. That is, if you can stand seeing your companion an extra 40 hours each week.
We’ll revisit the issue of working with your spouse regularly. Tell us your thoughts or experiences on the subject.
