Spouse in Business: Smart Move?

August 05, 2025•3 min read

In this engaging episode, R. Kenner French and Liliana Falconer explore the often-debated topic of whether entrepreneurs should work with their spouses. Kenner kicks off the discussion with enthusiasm, noting that many new business owners consider bringing their significant others into the company as a way to cut costs. He encourages listener participation by inviting them to email their own opinions, emphasizing the relevance and personal nature of this common entrepreneurial decision.

Lily quickly establishes her perspective—she’s firmly against it. While acknowledging that the idea might seem financially smart at first, she cautions that mixing business and romance can introduce unnecessary tension and complications. However, she opens the floor for counterpoints, prompting Kenner to share his own positive experience working alongside his wife, Kristin. Though they operate in different areas of the financial world, He describes the partnership as fun, efficient, and personally fulfilling.

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Kenner offers a practical tip for couples considering this route: start small. He suggests working on a short, manageable project to test the dynamic. If things go smoothly, it might signal a green light for a larger collaboration. Lily builds on this with her own advice—establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Without them, work discussions could dominate the relationship and erode quality time together.

He fully agrees, sharing that he and Kristin maintain a hard stop on work talk after 5 PM and throughout the weekend. He credits their success to their commitment to work-life balance, enhanced by a system called Strategic Coach by Dan Sullivan. This framework divides time into “focus days,” “buffer days,” and “free days,” allowing the couple to prioritize both productivity and personal time without overlap. He stresses that honoring these separations has helped them thrive both at work and at home.

By the end of the discussion, Lily admits that Kenner’s success story gives her pause. Although she still believes caution is essential, she’s open to the idea that—with boundaries, mutual respect, and the right structure—working with a spouse can work well for some couples. The episode wraps with both hosts excited for future conversations, continuing their mission to share meaningful business insights with fellow entrepreneurs.

Takeaways

• Don't work with your spouse unless you're prepared for challenges.

• Starting with small projects can help gauge compatibility.

• Establish strict boundaries between work and personal life.

• Work-life balance is crucial for a healthy relationship.

• Communication is key to navigating business partnerships.

• Consider the long-term implications of working together.

• Having fun at work can enhance the partnership.

• It's important to have focused work days and free days.

• Testing the waters before diving in is advisable.

• Input from both partners is essential for success.

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