Should You Start a Business With Your Spouse? Real Talk on Life as a Couplepreneur

Can love and business really mix? In this episode of Rollin’ With the Dolans, we open up about our journey as a married couple building businesses together - and the truth about what it takes to thrive as couplepreneurs.

From relaunching Unity Salon to launching new purpose-driven ventures, we’ve learned a lot about communication, roles, scheduling (yes, even when one of us avoids calendars!), and the ups and downs of working side-by-side.

We share the 5 things every couplepreneur should know before jumping into business together, including:

• How to define a shared purpose
• Why creating a brand matters (even for small ventures)
• What to do when one person becomes a bottleneck
• How to handle conflict without derailing the dream
• And why having fun together is still essential

Whether you're curious about starting something with your spouse, already running a business as a team, or just looking for inspiration in this next chapter of life - this episode is for you.

💬 Join the conversation and let us know how you’re building love and legacy together.
 🎙️ Get Your Life Rollin’—coaching and encouragement for couples - coming soon!

Don’t miss an episode—subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform. Find more at rollinwiththedolans.com or search #rollinwiththedolans on social media to join the conversation.

Transcript

Welcome to Rollin' With the Dolans.

Our podcast focuses on the joys and challenges of blending families, our interracial marriage, parenting children of multiple ages, and the journey of entrepreneurship. We share our daily life experiences with a positive but real perspective—and today’s topic is about creating a business together as a couple.

Do you remember the first time we got into business together?

You mean when you helped me redo Unity Salon?

Yeah.

It’s been six years now. You helped me launch Unity Salon and became my marketing and website manager. So we’ve technically been in business together for a while. But we’ve also played around with other ideas—things that are more purpose-driven and involve both of us more equally.

Before we get into too many details, I wanted to share a fact. You know I love facts and stats.

Facts and stats!

The term “copreneurs” was coined in 1988 by Susan and Michael Barnett. It referred to couples who jointly own and operate a business. These days, the term “couplepreneurs” is also being used to describe the same idea—maybe with a more modern take.

Were the Barnetts actually a couple?

Yes, that’s the whole point. So this idea of couples building businesses together has been around, but it feels like there’s more attention on it now.

That makes sense.

So here’s a question—what do you think couples need to do to get started as couplepreneurs?

You definitely need to be on the same page. Even for us, we have different approaches—you’re more organized, and I’m more free-flowing. Both our brains are creative, but we have to rein each other in sometimes. Communication is key. So are shared goals and a shared vision.

I agree. I think early on, you have to figure out if you can actually work together. Not all couples are built for that, and it really comes down to how strong the marriage is. If you already operate as a team in your relationship, it makes doing business together a lot easier.

Right. And you have to be honest about your strengths and weaknesses.

Speaking of honesty... let’s talk about our disagreement this week.

Ugh, really?

Yeah. It’s relevant. You were frustrated when I took on extra shifts and you felt like it pulled me away from what we’re building together.

That’s true. It’s hard when both people are also working on separate things. It can feel like you’re not aligned on your joint goals.

Exactly. It comes down to time, scheduling, and commitment. Most entrepreneurs have multiple things going on, so if you’re building something together, you’ve got to protect time for it.

I agree. And I think finding a shared purpose is important too. It might not be clear right away, but you have to have that conversation.

You don’t need the whole game plan up front, but at some point you have to define your "why." And be ready to pivot if needed.

Or adapt based on what you learn or how things evolve.

So let’s refocus—what are the five things we think couples need to do to get started?

1. Pick a Purpose

2. Create a Brand

3. Define Your Mission

4. Make a Simple Marketing Plan

5. Agree on Roles

Roles can be tricky. One of our biggest issues is when one of us becomes a bottleneck.

For those who don’t know—a bottleneck is when everything has to go through one person before it can move forward. If that person is too slow, it holds up progress.

Okay, let me defend myself. I just don’t want you posting crazy pictures of me or publishing a blog that doesn’t sound like I wrote it.

That’s fair. But it’s about trust—trusting that each person can handle their role and move things forward.

Yeah, and honestly, you do make things easier for me. You’ll send me a video and just ask for a quick voiceover. You try to simplify it.

I try! But the biggest thing is we still have fun with it. Even though it’s work, we enjoy doing this together.

That’s true. So, final thoughts?

I think couplepreneurship is a great path for many couples—especially those who might be empty nesters or looking for a new chapter. It doesn’t have to be huge. It could be something simple or something community-driven.

I agree. And I like to think of us as 50+ and just getting started.

Just getting started?

Okay, maybe not just getting started—but we’ve still got a lot to do.

So let’s tell people what we’re launching.

We’re going to be life coaches for couples.

That’s right. Couple life coaches—focused on entrepreneurship, co-parenting, interracial marriage, and making time for fun and growth in your relationship.

Especially those marriage retreats and staycations every six weeks. We’re committed to keeping our relationship strong—and want to help others do the same.

So be on the lookout for our new coaching program—

Get Your Life Rollin’—R-O-L-L-I-N.

It’s an extension of Rollin’ With the Dolans.

Wherever you’re listening, make sure to like, subscribe, and follow. Whether it’s on TikTok, YouTube, or wherever you found this, we want to hear from you.

Until next time—have an amazing day…

…and a creative week!

Bye!