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Mixing business with pleasure can be a hard task when striving for a solid work-life balance, however more couples are taking their commitment one step further and working alongside their significant other in owning and running their own small business.
Three couple entrepreneurs, powered by Optus’ small business products, who have taken this plunge and have since excelled their business and profession, give their tips and insights into how other couples can make their business relationship grow.
Rob Parcell, Managing Director Optus Small Business said: “Optus knows that small business is the backbone of the economy, which makes it an exciting time to be a SMB owner in Australia so what better person to have by your side in your business journey than your partner?
“We are seeing more couple entrepreneurs coming through our Optus Business Centres than ever before that have turned their passion points into an exciting business opportunity as they look to Optus for the technical support they need to help them take their business to the next level,” Rob added.
Work to your strengths and split the workload
New to working mixing business with pleasure are the owners of Sydney Flower Social, husband and wife team Shaun and Kerryn Mathieson, who started their business hosting private flower arrangement workshops for hens, birthday parties and baby showers, four months ago. Though they have been together for six years, they’ve had to quickly learn and understand their differences in a business sense and play on their strengths in a work environment.
“We're both very hands on”, says Shaun, co-owner at Sydney Flower Social. “There's only two of us so we both muck in and do a bit of everything. When it comes to the actual events, Kerryn is the florist so naturally she runs the workshops. I’m a keen photographer so when our guests want a momento of the day, we offer a photo shoot which I will then manage.”
Michael and Karen Martin, owners of MM Photos in Randwick and NSW winners of Optus’ Big Ups small business awards, also work to the same effect:
“We play to our strengths and leave each other to get on with our own workload”, said Michael.
MM Photos, are one of Sydney’s top wedding photographers after being founded by owner Michael Martin five years ago. The studio also specialises in corporate, newborn, family and pet portraits. Michael had his wife Karen join him to help run the business last year she left her corporate job of 20 years.
“Michael is the creative person in the relationship which I let him get on with and then with my business experience, I work in the back office managing accounts and invoices, so in that sense it’s easy to share the workload. Our roles and responsibilities are clearly defined.” Karen added.
Share new experiences
Like a relationship, working as a couple has it’s share of ups and downs. Experiences shared together help create a better appreciation of one another.
Another small business couple Work Shop Objects owners Georgina Goddard and Morgwn Wilkie, who have been together since 2004 and have worked together for almost 10 years. Their furniture business develops and manufactures a range of unique quality homewares as well as custom products and they were recently named as Queensland winners of Optus’ Big Ups, which saw them benefit from a $15,000 advertising blitz to support the growth of their business.
“It’s great working with Georgina, we have a very similar design theory and we are both comfortable bouncing ideas off one another. We have a strong work ethics and understand working long hours are a part of life. At least we get to spend more time together and when we work late now, we can go out for dinner together afterwards.” says Morgwn, director of Work Shop Objects.
Kerryn from Sydney Flower Social continues, “Its really nice to share the experience of building something from scratch with your significant other and feeling proud of it together. Also, working with someone you know really well removes a lot of the complexities you encounter in a typical workplace. We both know exactly how to read each other, which means we can get through stuff quickly. It’s also a lot of fun and we have a laugh along the way.
“We both have a vested interest in the business - we love the product and brand, it’s ours and it’s our passion, so we know that the other will always put everything into their job.” said Karen from MM Photos.
Differentiate work and play
To boost productivity and keep sane, it’s important to find a balance between work and play.
“Although it’s difficult and we’re not the best at doing this,” says Morgwn of WorkShop Objects. “We make a point of getting away from the workshop otherwise we just spend all our time working on the business. Every so often we try to spend the weekend on a farm stay somewhere in the Brisbane hinterland or heading down the coast to Byron Bay for a catch up with friends and family every couple of months.” Morgwn added.
“Our business is small and it’s still very new and exciting for us, so it doesn't feel like work as we know it. We are both working full time jobs as well and are more than happy to pour our spare time into it.” says Kerryn from Sydney Flower Social.
Karen at MM Photos stresses the importance of differentiating between the two: “When you shut the door at work, ensure you leave work at work and don’t bring it home with you! But more importantly, make sure you still organise dates and make an effort in that sense.” she added
Ensure your relationship keeps working
“Keep communicating and stay connected with one another as good communication is the key. Also before you embark on working together, make sure you have a strong base for your relationship and be accepting of change.” says Georgina.
Kerryn continues, “If you both have the drive and passion just get stuck in and enjoy it! We're just getting started ourselves but we're making it up as we go along and it's good fun.”
“We always have a holiday booked in to look forward to and make a conscious effort to keep work and homelife separated.” said Michael from MM Photos
“At the end of the day, the reason many people have their own business is to have more control on their work/life balance so remember this.” added wife Karen.
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