We asked our members who work with their spouses and partners to share their stories on how they decided to launch their businesses. Here are some of the responses we received.
Coolest Shoes in California
Bill and Christine Davis
It's been a whirlwind 6.5 years for us as a business team. We popped up our first tent at a street fair in 2008 to do something we had never done before, sell shoes. We sold out and had so much fun. Together we made a great sales team. We were packing up at the end of the event and turned to one another and said, "I think we can do this!" By 2010 we were doing over 40 events per year. In 2011 we opened up our retail store. Enjoying each other's company has been a key to our success.
European Wax Center – Bressi Ranch
Evi Androulaki and Cole Genovese
Cole and I have been in business together since 2007. Working together with your spouse definitely has its pros and cons. It's great that we share the same passion about what we do and have the same goals and can really complement each other's strengths and weaknesses. Knowing who you are is definitely important in helping your business grow in such an environment. We've always had our distinct roles and that has helped us in having a healthy relationship in business. Sometimes it's hard working together though, because it's difficult to turn off and business consumes all your life. We need to remember that it's not all about business in our lives!
The Goddard School
Sanjeev and
Shalini Dhiman
From the moment we met 11 years ago, we knew we were perfect for each other. After our first baby, life became more beautiful. The only struggle was finding the perfect childcare/nanny for her. We tried many avenues, but ended up giving up my career to be a full-time mom. We both decided to venture into a business, and we knew based on our unsatisfactory preschool experiences with our own child, that we should bring a quality preschool into our community. When we were expecting our 2nd child, our decision of opening a preschool took speed and we dedicated all of our time and energy into opening The Goddard School. But the stress of opening a new business can overtake the best of us. So it did, and gave birth to many disagreements, and sleepless nights. It took us few months to realize that both husband and wife, no matter how perfect of a match, cannot work together without boundaries.
North Coast Signs
Fred and Carrie Havens
Our story of how we decided to go into business together started after Fred got laid off in July 2011. After a few uninspiring job interviews, he was encouraged to visit an entrepreneurs meeting. Carrie's previous experience included working at an advertising agency and an office manager at financial services firm before becoming a stay-at-home mom. We entered a season of "reinventing" ourselves. Either return to the typical corporate jobs, or explore being entrepreneurs. Weighing the risks, we decided to start our own business, so as to never have to look back at our lives someday and wonder "what if we had done that?" We named our business after our church and community, North Coast Signs. It was a leap of faith! These last 3 years have been exciting… at times a rollercoaster, exhilirating and unsure of what lies ahead. Yet, as returning customers keep coming back for more, and our niche is developing more corporate accounts, the business is on an upward climb.
Sherlock Heating & Air Conditioning
Aaron and Rebecca Sherlock
Aaron and Rebecca Sherlock founded Sherlock Heating and Air Conditioning out of their home in 2002. From that humble beginning, Sherlock has grown to 30 employees and serves all of San Diego County.
"We get to dream big together, set goals, and then watch those goals become reality!" Rebecca said. "There have been highs and lows but we have grown so much, as individuals and together as a couple, through the process. If I were to offer any advice for couples working together it would be 'keep shoptalk at the shop!'"
Coolest Shoes in California
Bill and Christine Davis
It's been a whirlwind 6.5 years for us as a business team. We popped up our first tent at a street fair in 2008 to do something we had never done before, sell shoes. We sold out and had so much fun. Together we made a great sales team. We were packing up at the end of the event and turned to one another and said, "I think we can do this!" By 2010 we were doing over 40 events per year. In 2011 we opened up our retail store. Enjoying each other's company has been a key to our success.
European Wax Center – Bressi Ranch
Evi Androulaki and Cole Genovese
Cole and I have been in business together since 2007. Working together with your spouse definitely has its pros and cons. It's great that we share the same passion about what we do and have the same goals and can really complement each other's strengths and weaknesses. Knowing who you are is definitely important in helping your business grow in such an environment. We've always had our distinct roles and that has helped us in having a healthy relationship in business. Sometimes it's hard working together though, because it's difficult to turn off and business consumes all your life. We need to remember that it's not all about business in our lives!
The Goddard School
Sanjeev and
Shalini Dhiman
From the moment we met 11 years ago, we knew we were perfect for each other. After our first baby, life became more beautiful. The only struggle was finding the perfect childcare/nanny for her. We tried many avenues, but ended up giving up my career to be a full-time mom. We both decided to venture into a business, and we knew based on our unsatisfactory preschool experiences with our own child, that we should bring a quality preschool into our community. When we were expecting our 2nd child, our decision of opening a preschool took speed and we dedicated all of our time and energy into opening The Goddard School. But the stress of opening a new business can overtake the best of us. So it did, and gave birth to many disagreements, and sleepless nights. It took us few months to realize that both husband and wife, no matter how perfect of a match, cannot work together without boundaries.
North Coast Signs
Fred and Carrie Havens
Our story of how we decided to go into business together started after Fred got laid off in July 2011. After a few uninspiring job interviews, he was encouraged to visit an entrepreneurs meeting. Carrie's previous experience included working at an advertising agency and an office manager at financial services firm before becoming a stay-at-home mom. We entered a season of "reinventing" ourselves. Either return to the typical corporate jobs, or explore being entrepreneurs. Weighing the risks, we decided to start our own business, so as to never have to look back at our lives someday and wonder "what if we had done that?" We named our business after our church and community, North Coast Signs. It was a leap of faith! These last 3 years have been exciting… at times a rollercoaster, exhilirating and unsure of what lies ahead. Yet, as returning customers keep coming back for more, and our niche is developing more corporate accounts, the business is on an upward climb.
Sherlock Heating & Air Conditioning
Aaron and Rebecca Sherlock
Aaron and Rebecca Sherlock founded Sherlock Heating and Air Conditioning out of their home in 2002. From that humble beginning, Sherlock has grown to 30 employees and serves all of San Diego County.
"We get to dream big together, set goals, and then watch those goals become reality!" Rebecca said. "There have been highs and lows but we have grown so much, as individuals and together as a couple, through the process. If I were to offer any advice for couples working together it would be 'keep shoptalk at the shop!'"