With me setting priorities and boundaries with my work, allowed me to be more present in my home and marriage. With just this one change, I noticed a significant difference in my relationships.
2: Business Transparency
They say that entrepreneurship is a pretty lonely role. I have to agree. I went from working in a corporate setting with a team to working in my home office…alone. I had to adjust. Early on in my business, I tended to keep everything to myself with the fear that no one would understand. I thought, “Ernest won’t get what I am dealing with in terms of working with a brand” or even “Ernest doesn’t get any of my business frustrations,” so, I kept a lot in. Ultimately, I learned that being transparent about your business to your partner is necessary. Opening up and sharing my struggles and my wins with my husband made us stronger. It also allowed him to learn more about my business and be able to offer advice and assistance. I made him feel like he is a part of my team because, in reality, HE IS! Even though my brand is my business, my husband is definitely a major player in it, and I had to learn to make him feel that way.
3: Make Your Spouse Your Teammate
With me opening up and being transparent with my business to my husband, it allowed for us to be more of a team. When we decided to get married we vowed to be a unit, so why not be a team with the business? Although right now Ernest does not have a sole role within the business, we still work together a ton. Even if it’s just me seeking caption advice or quick photography needs –– we work together. We set business goals together and discuss projects. Having my spouse as a sounding board has definitely helped strengthen my business and our marriage at the same time. My husband feels a part of every win, and it doesn’t feel like I am just doing this all on my own. Creating a shared business vision and goal is essential when chasing the dream – together.
4. Dream Together
While visiting Angola together for a business trip for my brand, I overheard Ernest tell one of my supporters that “She dreams and I drive.” I thought that was such a powerful statement by my husband. The fact that he allows me to dream is a blessing. Women sometimes vent to me that their significant other does not allow them to dream or believe in what they are doing. That is heartbreaking to me, because had Ernest not said “YES, I believe in You” a year and a half ago –– who knows if I would be HERE writing this blog post for thousands to consume! Having the support is so major as an entrepreneur, but the last and final thing I want to share today is don’t ever let the support be one-sided. I remember early in my business it was all about me, me, me. But I had to learn that my husband has dreams too. Even though right now he may be helping drive my dream, I can’t let his slip. I want to be a supportive wife to his dreams as much as he supported mine. My business is cruising right now, and it is time for me to help drive my husband’s dreams and passions. Focusing on our mutual passions and long-term goals together will help guide the decisions we make with our business so that it continues to thrive.
I am so thankful and blessed to be doing what I love, but I am even more happy that I have the love and support of my husband and we are doing it together. I can honestly say our marriage is stronger than it has ever been because of these principles we have adapted.
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