The Couple Entrepreneur's Blueprint: Building Successful Businesses Together

The Anti-Honeymoon Phase

Kyle and Ariel's story begins with what they call the "anti-honeymoon phase." Despite dating for seven years and running separate successful businesses, they found themselves struggling after tying the knot. The pressure of balancing individual entrepreneurial pursuits with their new marital life created unprecedented tension.

"We had two visions in one household," Ariel explained. "And as we like to say, two visions create division."

This division manifested in disagreements over household responsibilities, work-life balance, and even the direction of their professional lives. It was a wake-up call that prompted them to reassess their approach to both their relationship and their businesses.

The Turning Point

The turning point came when Kyle had a moment of realization. Watching Ariel conduct a live training session for her business, he saw the impact she was making on other entrepreneurs. It dawned on him that by trying to merge their businesses, he was potentially stifling Ariel's unique talents and contributions.

This led to a crucial question: "How can we take our individual passions and point them towards a unified purpose?"

The Couple Entrepreneur's Blueprint

From this question, Kyle and Ariel developed what they now call the Couple Entrepreneur's Blueprint. Here are some key components:

Aligned Vision: It's crucial for couples to have a unified vision for their life and family. This prevents the conflict that arises from having "two visions in one household."

Defined Goals, Roles, and Action Steps: Clearly outlining goals, understanding each partner's strengths, and agreeing on action steps help prevent misunderstandings and promote efficiency.

Regular Check-ins: Daily 5-15 minute check-ins help keep both partners on the same page regarding business and personal matters.

Prioritizing Date Nights: Consistent, quality time together helps maintain the relationship aspect of the partnership.

Creating a Priority Hierarchy: Understanding which areas of life (business, relationship, health, spirituality) need the most attention in each season helps in making aligned decisions.

Resolving Disagreements Productively

One of the most valuable insights Kyle and Ariel shared was their framework for resolving disagreements:

1. Diffuse defensiveness

2. Define your partner's perspective

3. Determine which partner has more relevant data

4. Find a third party to provide an objective perspective if needed

5. Make a decision together and commit to it

This approach helps couples move from disagreement to decision quickly and effectively.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Kyle and Ariel also highlighted some common pitfalls that entrepreneur couples should be aware of:

1. Self-sabotage: As businesses grow, some entrepreneurs struggle with imposter syndrome or fear of success, which can negatively impact both the business and the relationship.

2. Believing success equals relationship strain: Some couples subconsciously believe that business success will harm their relationship, leading to self-sabotage or resistance to growth.

3. Pressuring a partner into entrepreneurship: It's crucial that both partners genuinely want to be in business, rather than one partner feeling obligated to join the other's venture.

The Power of Mentorship

Throughout the interview, Kyle and Ariel emphasized the importance of having mentors. A good mentor can help couples sidestep years of trial and error, provide objective third-party perspectives, and show the fastest path to achieving goals as a couple.

Conclusion

Building a successful business as a couple is no small feat, but with the right strategies and mindset, it's entirely possible to thrive both professionally and personally. Kyle and Ariel's journey from their "anti-honeymoon phase" to becoming mentors for other entrepreneur couples is a testament to this.

If you're part of an entrepreneur couple or considering going into business with your partner, remember: align your vision, establish clear communication, prioritize your relationship, and don't be afraid to seek guidance when needed.

Remember, in the world of couple entrepreneurship, success in business and love aren't mutually exclusive – they can, and should, go hand in hand.

To learn more about Kyle and Ariel's work with entrepreneur couples:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/couplepreneurs/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/couplepreneurscommunity