According to the Small Business Administration, there are more than 28 million small businesses in America. These small businesses employ half of the working population, with 52% of them being home-based, and many of these being run by couples. One husband and wife team, Elise and Peter Champe, successfully established their own home-based business, www.babycomfycare.com, despite the challenges that couples may face in trying to do so.
“Sure, working from home with your spouse can present some challenges as anyone can imagine,†explains Peter, co-owner of Baby Comfy Care and Eclipse Sun Products. “But if you want the business and marriage to both succeed, you figure out what works and what doesn’t.â€
“Not every couple is suited to work together, so consider carefully if your styles and strengths will complement the other,†adds Elise. “That said, a couple that works well together can be highly effective and successful.â€
The Champe’s are no strangers to home-based business success. They built their companies Baby Comfy Care and Eclipse Sun Products from home, and today their products are available at Walgreens stores nationwide. One of their most popular products is the Baby Comfy Nose, an aspirator that was designed by Peter Champe, an engineer, who was seeking a solution to his own children’s nasal congestion. The aspirator is BPA-free, made in the U.S., dishwasher safe, hygienic, and highly effective at removing mucus.
Here are 6 tips for couples to increase the likelihood of having a successful home-based business together:
1. Be a team. When going into business together, it is important that couples make the commitment to also be a team for their business. Being a team and being on the same page about it is crucial. This means doing things that will better the business, including avoiding petty arguments that will slow progress and growth.
2. Define roles. Each individual will bring his or her own set of strengths to the partnership. Define roles based on what you do best and most enjoy doing. Each person should be responsible for something and be the boss of a particular area.
3. Be respectful. Just as people who work together in offices outside of their marriage need to be respectful of one another, so too do couples. Give each other the same respect that would be given to co-workers in any other setting.
4. Take breaks. Since there is a couple involved, not everything can be all work. It is important to break away from the duties and work and have some fun, take some breaks, and leave it all behind. Plan a lunch outing once a week where no work is discussed.
5. Use humor. When challenges do arise, it will help if they are approached with humor. There are always going to be hurdles for anyone to cross and work their way around. But using humor can make things much more bearable.
6. Consider offices. If possible, consider having separate home offices. This gives everyone their own space and then they can come back together to discuss work items.