A Mom's Home Based Business ~ For Dad's Too?

I get asked the question quite often – should a work-at-home mom consider a partnership with her own husband when starting a new business? The question is one of those double-edged sword, and every situation should be evaluated separately. But for most women, bringing a husband (or boyfriend) into a home business usually calls for trouble.

Why is that? On the surface, many women think it would bring nothing but good to a home based business. But while it is true that some husband and wife parterships thrive under a home-based business, there are some serious points you should ponder before broaching the topic with your husband – and to discover if this is really what you want to do.

Whose business is it? Does it interest both your husband and you? Or will he grumble as he packages up those Baby Gap dresses, or desktop publishes a flyer for a custom candy wrapper business? Or is he genuinely interested in your business?

Is he a control freak? Many women have brought their partners into a business, only to discover that he is strong-arming her into business decisions she feels are wrong. And more often than not, this will cause a business to tank. He needs to be able to compromise when it comes to important business decisions – and be willing to concede when you are right.

Who will put the most time into the business? If you are the stay-at-home mom and put in many hours each day, but your husband flies through for three hours on Sundays, you will likely resent the lack of time he is putting into the business. This will become even more evident (and cause more resentment) when he is still reaping half the financial rewards and the successful business bragging rights of your business while putting in only ten per cent of the time and effort into making it the success it is.

If you think your husband can provide useful insight or skills for your business, consider an informal partnership based upon favors, or consider an outright contract agreement for him to provide specific duties. For instance, he can assist you once a month with certain paperwork, or do your business taxes for you in April. Or you can just drill him for information and advice over coffee at the dinner table.

Just because you want to start your own home based business, do not feel that you need to include your husband in your business as well. Think long and hard before you enter into a business partnership with your partner. Consider how your personalities will work together, particularly because the success of your business can be made or broken based upon it.

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