Happy Valentine's Day, especially to small business owners and entrepreneurs pursuing dreams with their spouses. It turns out, they're doing it the right way. Today, February 14, 2013, online small business community Manta revealed results from its latest study showing that small business owners and entrepreneurs are mixing business with pleasure - with great results.
Manta surveyed over 1,100 small business owners, and one in four work with their significant other. Nearly 60 percent recommend it, and one-third say that their family life and relationships have actually improved because of the business.
That's definitely been the case for Eileen Jerome, owner of Jerome's Party Plus in Westfield, Mass., which she co-owns with her husband Greg. Owning the business together has strengthened their relationship, she said.
"I feel that the more you have in common, the more fun you have together," Jerome said. "We have a common goal in creating, maintaining and working on our business and working toward our retirement."
What seems to work for many small business owners working together is when they complement each other. Said Mychal Connolly, owner of Springfield, Mass.-based StinkyCakes, "When we first started, we didn't know how it would work because we were so opposite, but we complement each other so well it makes it really fun to work with my wife."
For example, Connolly sees himself as more of the marketing person, while his wife handles finances. But both work together to see StinkyCakes succeed and grow, he said.
After hours, married small business owners and entrepreneurs find that putting the business down for a while to pursue common interests is a key to success. "You don't want to ruin your relationship over a business. You're in business to make a better life for each other," Connolly said.
And while Jerome and her husband often discuss business matters at home, they also take time to pursue shared interests like golf, skiing and traveling, she said.
"Greg and I really are each others' best friends. Anything I do, he's my first choice to do it with, unless it's go to a fashion show or makeup party," Jerome said.
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