Exploring Businesses for Couples to Start

Great partnerships can lead to successful businesses, so it’s no wonder that many business owners are couples. Running a business with your partner can be rewarding, and the trust upon which your relationship is based can help your business thrive. On the other hand, it’s important to be mindful about conflict and boundaries in order to protect both your business and your relationship.

Let’s take a look at popular businesses for couples, as well as some best practices to follow for preserving your work-life balance.

Best Businesses for Couples

When you're thinking about family franchises, a few stand out from the pack.

Cleaning services: It’s hard to make a smarter investment than one in the $90.46 billion home services industry. From regular cleanings and touch-up services to move-in and move-out deep cleans, cleaning services give property owners one less thing to worry about. As an added benefit for potential business owners, a cleaning services business involves skills you likely already have.
Pet services: More and more people see their pets as members of the family, and it shows in the remarkable growth of the pet care industry. For animal-loving couples, a mobile grooming business might be the right move.
Senior care services: With an estimated 70% of people aged 65 and older expected to need long-term care at some point in their lives, senior care franchises have become a popular investment.
Restoration services: Natural disasters like hurricanes and fires are occurring more often. Pipes and appliances regularly fail. By helping property owners in need bounce back after accidents, the $210 billion restoration industry is a recession-resilient investment for couples.

Ultimately, the best business for you will be one where both partners can flourish. Good work partnerships are built on identifying each individual’s skills and balancing them to serve the business. Since you already understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, this will help you find the right opportunities.

Top Tips for Success

1. Set Boundaries

Creating a work-life balance is essential at any job, but it’s even more important when your spouse is involved. Letting the boundaries between your work life and home life blur puts both your relationship and your business at risk.

It won’t always be possible to keep these things separate, but do your best. For example, if you need to talk about the business after hours, establish a specific time to do it – and set aside work after you’re done. In order to be prepared for the conflicts that will arise, create a communication plan and be sure that you stick to it.

2. Ask for Outside Help

One way or another, couple-owned businesses can become an echo chamber. You may find that you agree on most things, you might be trying to avoid conflict, or you may just run out of new ideas. Having a trusted third party to advise you with decision-making is invaluable. This could be a friend, a family member, or even a business consultant. If you choose one of the many businesses for couples that are franchised, it could be a franchise advisor.

3. Be Honest About Money

Making an honest assessment of your financial situation is a must before starting any business, but especially when you’re opening businesses for couples. It will take a while for your business to become successful, and the start-up phase often involves issues with cash flow. Before starting your business, you’ll want to:

Create a thorough financial plan, including contingencies
Ensure that you have enough to live on for the first 6-12 months your business is open
Discuss what you are willing to sacrifice in the family budget to support the business

Couples who decide to franchise benefit from a turnkey financial plan, transparent startup costs, and assistance with financial planning.

4. Trust One Another

Healthy relationships are based on trust, and so are healthy business partnerships. Your strong relationship will be the engine that fuels the success of your business. Even when you don’t agree, make a point to trust your partner’s judgment, reasoning, and motives. You are each other’s biggest supporters, and you’ll get through the challenges of business ownership together.

Starting a Business with Two Maids

With our absentee or semi-absentee, low initial investment, recurring revenue business model, Two Maids is an exceptional business for couples to start. Our family-friendly business structure helps you create roles where you both can thrive. Better yet, since we don’t work nights, weekends, or holidays, you’ll have plenty of time for the things you love to do. It’s an ideal way for partnered franchisees to preserve their work-life balance!

It's time to start your franchising journey together. Request information to learn more by speaking to one of our franchise advisors.