When people came to know that my hubby is also my business partner.
“You two always face each other not sian meh?”
Not sure how many times I have answered this kind of question.
Honestly speaking, up till now I haven’t felt “sian” yet, even though we have been together for 10+ years. But having said that, we have only started working together for close to 2 years, so it might be too early to make any conclusions.
I’m glad that both of us have our own strengths and weaknesses to complement each other, in a way that we don’t really touch or cross other’s job scope. But that does not come easy too. In the initial stage, we do fight, and we fight a lot. The normal married couple already has different views in their daily life, not to mention working together. I think my staff/interns are used to us quarrelling in front of them.
It is not easy, because after quarrelling, we can’t say ‘fine, I’m going to work” and leave home. We still have to face each other no matter how.
If you have plans to work together as a perfect husband and wife team. Decide after you go through my pointers. This is only limited to working, I got no say in your marriage life!
My humble advice and experience with my husband as my business partner.
Quarrelling in front of your co-workers
I know a lot of people will say “hey, not good to quarrel in front of your workers..”
yah tell me that later, when things go wrong, or don’t go my way I don’t think I can wait, go home, close the door and trash it out. I think I will grow old faster if I keep it to myself.
Anyway, it is easier said than done. Sometimes, it just feels so much better to trash it out on the spot, get things over and done with and leave work happily, MOST of the time.
I think my interns and staff are so used to us quarrelling in front of them. The best is every time after a quarrel, we will tell them, get used to it, we are like that. hahaha…
You suck lah!
Honestly, I don’t think you believe this is the harshest word we said to each other. This is cyberspace and I’m a mom blogger (ahem), so I need to be cyber-friendly. I do not encourage any personal attacks like ugly, you B*****, you smell.. etc. That’s too much. My hubby said my English sucks, I agree but this is a personal attack! NO dinner for you!
Sleep together, hug together
All couples know the golden rule of not bringing quarrels to bed. As the Chinese sayings “床头吵架，床尾和”. This rule applies the same to us. One more rule, buy Queen Size bed. No way to squeeze so the best is to hug together. And whoever sleeps outside is the LOOSER!! Ok joking, not a loser, but if you take the initiative to sleep outside means you want the quarrel to carry on till the next day or forever!
And if you ask your other half to sleep outside, erm why not you sleep outside?
Anyway, there is only once hubby sleep outside after we have a super huge quarrel. But not that he wanted, because he delivered the stroller past 12mn and he was too shag he slept in the car for few hours. But it scared the shit out of me.
You can’t do without me..
Although there is a saying that everyone is dispensable, can you change your hubby who does shit jobs with you, get shit pay, and do OT without complaining (ok maybe nag)? Last time when I’m angry I shoot my hubby that I can do without him. He will say fine lor but still, stick with me (I think he is the one can’t live without me leh).
As days go by, we slowly learn each other strengths in different areas.
I’m strong at the back end, and my hubby is strong in the sales area. His strength is in English and my strength is in Chinese. We complement each other well! As weaknesses will always take their place to portray themselves as THE bigger picture, it is, therefore, best to focus on each others’ strengths, especially when we are facing each other every day almost 24/7. It definitely makes our life so much easier.
At the end of the day, both of us know that we have each other’s best interests at heart.
Be husband and wife again
In business, it is definitely a two-way relationship, just as how husband and wife work. It takes time for us to position ourselves at work. Like who should do the planning, who should be handling the customers, who are doing the proposals etc. Starting, there were a lot of overlapping roles, again we end up quarrelling telling each other to focus on what they should be doing. Just like the wife in charge of the housework, the husband shouldn’t complain there and here is still dirty. Instead of giving such unpleasant “complaints”, we will start to give each other suggestions, from a different point of view.
Just like buying a new dishwasher, so your wife no need to wash plates or break them. *Suggestions*
白头偕老
a.ka. let’s stay together till our hair grows grey
When you build your business or even groom an employee in a company, you grow with the company, not only by age but also in many areas. Feedback, research and consulting each other on how our company/relationships and parents’ role can be improved.
Overall, having my hubby on board with my business and becoming a partner in business, is very worthwhile. Because of this working relationship, we exposed ourselves to more opportunities and ideas along the way.
To some, maybe is a mission impossible, but to me, I’m glad that because of our differences, we make good partners in business. If your husband is also your good business partner, feel free to share with us your secret below!
Have A Say