Some of you may not know, but I actually work with my fiance. I tend to get asked all the time how I like it and how it’s going. And oddly enough it’s a pretty simple answer, I love it. I was never ever was one who encouraged or planned on working with my significant other because it seemed like something that would be quite difficult for a relationship. I was wrong, and wanted to share with you my experience with you. Although this is definitely not for everybody, I do think it’s a great thing to have.
My fiance and I have been together for almost 9 years, and in that time we have gone through a lot. In college we both worked full time (along with a full class credits), on top of that he worked 3rd shift and I worked first and second shifts…basically working out buts off to pay for school! Overall we really did not get to see each other very often, and when we did we just spent all the time together as we could.
Out of college we both lived in our own one bedroom apartments, and typically got to see each other from 6 – 9pm most nights before he left for work. To top it off he constantly had to work overtime on weekends…which meant we rarely ever got to sleep in the same bed! About a year or so later we decided to move in with each other and had our own little 2 bedroom apartment…which was quite fun being able to ‘play house’ finally. Not long after that I decided to move to North Carolina to pursue my career…which meant we were living long distance for 2 years. Aaaah (crazy!) Once my little Saffron Avenue started growing I decided to finally take the leap of self-employment and moved back home to be with family.
{photos by jenna leigh}
Now onto actually working together ;) My fiance worked at a local brewery for about 8 years before quitting and working together. It was a pretty easy decision for us because not only did I need help with my business to be able to grow, but working with that company was a constant struggle for him (for sleep and consistency). Yes there was a pay cut (obviously), but the fact that he is now able to sleep (like a normal human being) and have the energy to put time into things he is passionate about is beyond worth it. For the first time in a long time, we seem to actually be ‘dating’ and have the opportunity to go have dinner together, take a weekend trip, stay in and watch movies, be on the same sleep schedule, and just be together…because in the last 8 years we never really had those opportunities. Of course not everyday is rainbows and butterflies, we both definitely have our little moments (doesn’t help how similar our personalities are), but again, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Things I’ve learned:
1.) Have separate offices/spaces
2.) Set boundaries or ‘work hours’
3.) Dedicate time to just your relationship, if that means taking a lunch together with no cellphones or taking a weekend trip together
4.) Don’t always discuss work, but do set time to brainstorm together (we are trying to do that every couple days).
5.) Put the computer down! (A constant struggle for me ;)
6.) If you work from home like us..find extracurricular activities and even separate activities. We do a lot together so I think it’s important that we also have our own activities (drinks with girlfriends, softball, dart leagues, etc).
6.) Agree and understand that if it’s not working, it’s not working! Before doing it, we made sure that if at any point our relationship is put in jeopardy because of work…we simply wouldn’t do it anymore. Relationship > Business – plain and simple.
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You are such an adorable couple! Just curious as to what capacity your fiancé works in your business. It sounds great but my husband doesn’t have a lot of creativity. He’s always been in finance or sales. We get along both working from home but not together. How did you make the transition to him working WITH you?
Thank you! And he is not creative actually! He actually handles quite a bit of my day to day items. From bookeeping, invoicing, client management, taking classes for web development, saving clients final files, etc. Also very great at keeping me on task and getting stuff done!
You guys are too cute! As a complete beginner when it comes to web, I’m wondering if you would be willing to share what classes he is starting off with online- I am so lost on where to start there is so much and so many classes! My hubby is a finance, sales analytical guy and I keep trying to tell him her should learn how to code- he has that type of brain. He even says he thinks he would like it we just need more hours in the day right?!?
No problem, he takes skillshare classes currently!
– http://www.skillshare.com/classes/technology/Build-an-HTML-and-CSS-Website-From-Scratch/1216366887
Thank you so much for sharing!!! This is actually the one I have started and haven’t finished!
Just out of curiosity, what specifically does your fiance do for Saffron Avenue? Photography, design, web design? Manage client accounts, marketing, send emails, organize finances + budget? You two seem like such a great fit (as a couple and as biz partners), and am curious how he took his knowledge + experience from a local brewery and transitioned to freelance design. Maybe I can convince my husband to do the same! ;)
Hi Ann,
Definitely! You are correct, he manages a lot of the internal items (so no design at all). Like quickbooks, estimates/invoices, trying to teach him photography, saving final files for clients, shop management, print ordering and estimating, and taking online classes for web development. As for his experience, he actually started the process of each brew. Since his position had to be very detailed (or else he would screw up mass amounts of brews) he is now super detailed when it comes to my business (aka my finances :) So, the transition wasn’t too difficult..so it wasn’t like had to go from brewing to designing logos!
Agreed so much about separate offices! People think it’s crazy that my husband and I have separate offices but we just could not work in the same place as our working styles are so much different. We definitely have different working hours so that never works out for us but sharing calendars and having meetings helps keeps us on track. Love this post!
Oh so true..I love my space and definitely need it exactly how I want (and same for him). We both have a bit different schedules too :)
Loved this post! My boyfriend of 7 years and I work from home(not together though) and I thought I’d dislike it and that it would put a lot of pressure on our relationship but it’s actually been the exact opposite! I wouldn’t have it any other way :)
Exactly, it seemed a bit scary at first..but turned out to be so great!
Oh my goodness – this is just like Dan and I! We’ve been together for nine years and have worked together throughout that time. I wouldn’t have it any other way, I love working with him. I always find it strange when other couples tell us that they couldn’t bear to work with their other halves as I think they’re missing out so much. Lovely to hear of another couple making it work x
Yay, I agree! I get that a lot of from other couples too..and I definitely think it’s a blessing!
Thank you so much for writing this post! My fiancé is going to be stationed in Italy and I’ve had to give up a full-time job I love and start a new full-time job I’ve only dreamed about – blogging! Your post has reassured me that I’m doing the right thing by taking a leap, and my fiancé unexpectedly said one of the most sweetest things ever when I was getting my blog started: “I think it’s time we invested in you.”
Thank you again for being a brave example to us bloggers!
Susan
http://perfectplacesblog.com
Oh I love reading this! And Italy, what a great place to blog in, right!? I couldn’t be more excited for you, blogging can open so many doors and is actually quite freeing. Plus, it’s amazing having a supportive hubby..it means the world.
Wishing you the very best!!