by Joyce Brewer
If it wasn’t for my husband’s support, my video and social media business would never have gotten off the ground in 2010. My husband is the videographer for my parenting talk show when we shoot it on-location at businesses in Atlanta. Plus he shares the duties of caring for two year old son when I work from home, meet clients or spend hours at Starbucks.
Don’t get me wrong. We are not Cliff & Claire from The Cosby Show. Things don’t always run smoothly around our house or with my business, but I wanted to share: “5 Ways to Support Your Spouse When They Start a Business” because some have worked for us.
1. Offer a suggestion or interesting article.
If your spouse is starting their business alone as a solo entrepreneur they’ve got a huge workload themselves. A simple way to support them is to offer a helpful suggestion, not a criticism, for their business. Maybe you read an article that relates to what they do. E-mail it, tweet it, forward it to them or even clip it out and leave it on your spouse’s desk with an encouraging note.
My husband gave me a great suggestion about my talk show that features moms as guests. He suggested I do the talk show with dads instead, which sparked the idea for a Father’s Day campaign I created.
2. Pitch in around the house and with the kids.
Honestly, this is something I’m working on with my husband because he’s not a fan of housework. But it is helpful and can relieve stress if you take on an extra household chore or two while your spouse is focusing on their business.
This tip is especially important if your spouse has started a business part-time while working a full-time job.
3. Be patient.
Most new businesses don’t make enough in their first year to turn a profit. Avoid asking too many questions about how much money they’re bringing in or what rates they are charging for products or services, unless your spouse brings up the topic.
4. Be positive.
There will be days when your spouse will question if they made the right decision to start a business. Keep your conversations about their business positive and solution-oriented, instead of making doom and gloom comments about the economy.
5. Watch this video for the next suggestion.
About the Author
Joyce Brewer is a wife, mom and Emmy award-winning TV journalist living in Atlanta. In her 15 year career, Joyce landed a one-on-one interview with Oprah and appeared on The View twice. In 2010, Joyce created MommyTalkShow.com to connect Atlanta moms with family-friendly businesses using the marketing power of video and social media. Life as a work at home mom inspired Joyce to write an e-book, Use What You Know: A Business Idea Guide for Moms, featuring more than 40 business ideas moms can start from home. Follow Joyce’s parenting show on Twitter @MommyTalkShow and Facebook.com/MommyTalkShow.
Enjoyed the post.
Love the simplicity of these suggestions. I agree with all of them wholeheartedly!
Thanks @Execumama:disqus I hope it really helps couples connect and grown.
I agree. I loved how it was straight and to the point.
Wow. I loved this post. My husband and I are both full time entrepreneurs and it is a challenge to keep everything smooth sailing at times. All 5 suggestions are great and I thank you for sharing.
Say it again Vanessa LOL.
You’re very welcome. We’re still working and perfecting each of these tips.
Awesome tips! Thanks for sharing the post
love it!
Great suggestions! #2 is very helpful to me. When you first start a business, especially solo, you have so many things to do and focus on. When the household chores are complete it helps to provide a sense of peace away from all the hustle and challenges you face daily in your new venture.
you’re in point of fact a good webmaster.
The website loading speed is amazing. It sort of feels that you’re doing any unique trick.
Moreover, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve done a wonderful process on
this subject!
my webpage – webpage
I usually do not drop many remarks, but after reading a ton of responses on this page
5 Ways to Support Your Spouse When They Start a
Business | BlackandMarriedWithKids.com. I actually do
have a couple of questions for you if you
do not mind. Is it simply me or do some of the remarks come
across as if they are coming from brain dead
people? 😛 And, if you are writing on other online sites,
I’d like to keep up with everything new you have to post.
Could you make a list of all of all your public pages
like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?
Also visit my website: Marquis
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s
time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I want to suggest you few interesting things or suggestions.
Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article.
I wish to read even more things about it!
my blog design blog
Great article! We will be linking to this great article on our
website. Keep up the good writing.
my webpage – online shopping
I used to be able to find good information from your
blog articles.
my web site :: shopping blog
fantastic points altogether, you simply won a new reader.
What might you suggest in regards to your submit that you simply made some days in the past?
Any sure?