Every entrepreneur will tell you that running a business is in it’ self a labour of love. You live and breathe your business. So, what happens when couples become business partners. Can this be a good thing for the business? What are the upsides of running a business with your spouse? How about the downsides of a business partnership with your spouse?

It’s a tough call, and certainly there is no one right answer whether to enter a business together with your spouse or stay the hell away from the whole idea.

I’ll share some upsides and downsides of coupling together as business partners with your loved one. I figured a post like this would be perfect, and just in time for Valentines Day 2012 in five days.

Let’s start with the positives first.

Upsides of Couples in Business Together

Stronger Bond – Working together towards one common goal is always a good thing, and it’s even more attractive when you’re working towards this goal with your life partner.

Two heads are always better than one they say, so who better to be your business partner than your significant other.

My old neighbors were a perfect example of a couple in business together. They owned a cleaning business. She cleaned homes, and he focused on commercial cleaning. During the day he was home with the kids while his wife worked, and at night he’d head off to work, while the wife would stay behind with the kids. Worked for them for many years, until they eventually sold the business.

Learning Opportunity – It gives you the opportunity to see your spouse from a different angle. I assure you, that you’ll discover things about your spouse that you never knew before.

You may discover that your wife has the gift of conversation, no matter what the situation. While the wife may discover that her husband is an excellent problem-solver, with a “no project” too big attitude.

Team Work – Sharing duties at home is one thing, and sharing business duties is another. We’ve all got our own strengths and weaknesses, so why not maximize them? If one part of the couple is good with the numbers, get them to take the lead on it, while the second part of the couple focuses in an area that they’re strong in. For area’s that are a weakness for both partners, duties can be shared.

Downsides of Couples in Business Together

Lack of Breathing Room – You’re with your spouse virtually 24/7. You go to bed together, wake up together, eat together, and now you have to work together? Think about it first or else coupling in business together can become stale pretty quickly.

Business is Business – Sometimes separating business and personal life can be a difficult obstacle for some couples to overcome.  It’s tough sometimes to leave work at work, while focusing on empowering the family life at home.

I think there are many more upsides to partnering with your significant other, than the downsides that come with the same idea. Most importantly you will have a trusting partner, right from the get go, who will have your back equally as much as you have their back.

Finally, there is a great sense of security. We all have our tough days, but you’ll always have someone there to pick you up when you fall. Let’s hope that you don’t fall too hard.

Readers, would you ever start a business with your significant other?

Eddie