Starting a Business With Your Spouse: Can It Really Work?
We talk about a lot of things on our podcast—faith, family, food, fun—but this time, we went all in on one question we get asked a lot: Should you start a business with your spouse?
It’s a fair question. Working together can either strengthen your bond or bring new challenges you didn’t see coming. But for us, it’s been one of the most rewarding (and sometimes chaotic) parts of our journey.
Our first venture together in business began back in 2019, when Tamekia was rebranding her salon business. Patrick stepped in to help with marketing and the website, and it didn’t take long before we started dreaming bigger. Since then, we’ve explored several business ideas together—and while not everything sticks, the process may have its ups and downs, but is enjoyable and has brought us closer.
So yes, we believe couples can work together. But it takes more than love and good intentions.
Tamekia put it perfectly in the podcast episode: “We both think a little bit different—you’re more organized, I’m more free-flowing. We have to reel each other in sometimes.”
Where the Term “Copreneurs” Came From
If you’ve never heard the term “copreneurs” or “couplepreneurs,” you’re not alone. The original phrase was coined back in 1988 by Susan and Michael Barnett to describe couples who jointly own and operate a business. Since then, it’s evolved into the more popular “couplepreneur” — a term that speaks to the modern-day power couple building brands, legacies, and income streams side-by-side.
But there’s still a gap between theory and reality. That’s why we decided to talk about what it really takes to make this work.
5 Things Every Couplepreneur Should Know Before Starting
Here are five things we think every couple needs to discuss before diving into business together:
- Pick a Purpose: You don’t need to have everything figured out, but you should have a shared vision or reason behind what you’re building.
- Create a Brand: Even if it’s just a side hustle, treat it like something meaningful. Your brand reflects your values and personality as a couple.
- Define Your Mission: Are you trying to serve others? Create financial freedom? Inspire other couples? Nail this down—it helps guide decisions.
- Make a Simple Marketing Plan: You don’t need a 40-page deck. Just know who you’re trying to reach, how, and how often.
- Agree on Roles: This one is crucial. Figure out who does what—and be ready to adjust when life gets in the way.
As we joked (but also meant it): “You might be a bottleneck. You might be a taskmaster. And sometimes, you just might not like schedules. That’s real life.” Patrick said Tamekia could be a bottleneck, and she didn’t hesitate to call him a taskmaster. That’s marriage and business—real life, unfiltered.
And let’s be honest: One of you might be a bottleneck. One of you might be a taskmaster. And sometimes, one of you might just not like schedules (ahem, not naming names). That’s real life. But when you work through it together, you start to see how your differences can become strengths.
Why Now? Why Us?
A lot of couples hit their 50s wondering, What’s next? For us, the answer was simple: more purpose, more fun, and more time together.
That’s why we launched Get Your Life Rollin’ – our life coaching and encouragement platform for couples who are navigating the next phase. Whether your kids are grown, almost grown, or you’re simply ready for something new, we’re here to help you realign, reconnect, and rediscover what lights you up.
We talk about real things, real challenges, and real love—and we believe this chapter can be the best one yet.
Want to hear the full conversation? Listen on Spotify or find us on your favorite podcast platform. If you’re thinking about starting a business with your spouse, exploring ideas, need some advice, or just want to collaborate on the topic, contact us here. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a moment.