By Joanie Ogg, CTC, MCC
President, NACTA

I vividly remember when my husband Tom and I decided to quit our jobs and enter the entrepreneurial cult. We had talked about it and skated around the actual date that we would give notice at our respective companies and take the leap. It was so exciting and yet so very frightening.
I felt free but at the same time, I was petrified to give up my secure position and regular income. Those emotions are part of the journey we all take as we make the leap to starting our own business. Add to that the reality that you will not only be living together as man and wife, but you will now be business partners. There is a great deal to think about and being certain that your family relationships can stand the test of stress with a new business is certainly worthy of great consideration.
Tom and I have been blessed working side by side now for more than 25 years. However, I would be remiss not to share that we, too, worked through some bumps in our business roads over these past years. I do believe we are stronger for our experiences working together.
We have such great respect for each other’s business talents, as well as an unbeatable trust in each other’s decisions. This has developed over time and we continually meet business challenges that we work through as a family, constantly bearing in mind that somehow it always works out. Call it luck? No, not at all. It is hard-earned understanding and respect that has given us so many enjoyable years working together.
I thought it might be fun to write this piece about how much family does matter when one starts a business as a couple. Ultimately, it can affect all family members, but it all starts with the core of your relationship and the willingness and desire to succeed together.

The Structure

We all know that a structure is only as strong as its foundation and parts. Your relationship with your partner is the foundation of your Home Based travel business. It is important to make the firm commitment to the business and to each other from the outset. It’s important to keep an open line of communications, especially when new challenges evolve.
Never assume what the other is thinking or intends to do if faced with a challenge. Always talk it through. Yes, you eventually may find that you know in advance what your partner will say or do about something — but be careful not to assume.
Nurture what has allowed you to go into your travel business together. Keep your house in order —and I do not mean keeping a clean house (however great that can be). Starting a business or even running a growing business will likely cut into your personal or quality time together. Sure, you will be together a great deal, but most likely you will be working.
However satisfying that may be, you still have to set aside some time together that is not business related. Tom and I never had much luck at date nights as we are more spur-of-the-moment decision makers. We will simply look at each other and know that the other — or perhaps both of us — needs to “get outta here.” Getting in the car and going out to dinner or lunch may just do the trick. Try not to talk all business, as that rather defeats the stress-relieving aspect of your outing.

Divide & Conquer

It is really crucial that each of you has your own clearly defined areas of responsibility. I have to say that this was a huge challenge for Tom and me — and we still struggle with this now and again. After so many years of working together, we have a relatively clear understanding of those areas that we both excel or fail at. One has to look within and be perfectly honest with themselves and their partner to respect those distinct differences.
Decisions should be made by the person responsible for that area in the business. No one person makes all the decisions but someone must be responsible for the final one. Be cautious not to encroach on your partner’s given area of responsibility by trying to make a decision. Trust me when I say you do not want to go there!