CoupleCo: Working With Your Spouse For Fun & Profit

Latest Episodes:

Educated In Argument: Tera & Byron Ames of Ames & Ames LLP, UT & NV, Part 1 Jun 24, 2020

Show notes

This episode, we are in Kamas, Utah. Population 2,234. The cattle in Kamas may outnumber people. It's also a surprising and delightful rural hotspot. We are sitting down with Tera and Byron Ames, who unpack all kinds of great intel about being in business together. From learning how to understand each other's moods and not take them personally, to dealing with the pay cut that comes from suddenly leaving a fat job and being in business for yourself, this was a great time with lots of laughs and pathos. But where does the Grateful Dead t-shirt collection come into this equation? And how does it affect three young kids to see their parents argue professionally over the dinner table? This is a conversation with lots of love, insight and business acumen.

Does Your Business Need A Prenup, feat. Shreya & Colin Ley of Law Firm LayRoots Jun 17, 2020

Show notes

If you're in business with your significant other, does your business need a prenup? That's not the legal name for it, but it is a legal document that could save your business should something happen to one of you. And the time to start planning for it is when things are good. If you wait until things go bad, it could be too late. Join us as we speak with the LawyerHumans at the law firm Lay Roots, CoupleCo partners Shreya and Colin Ley. They can help save your bacon…

You Can Have Better Arguments, feat. Dr. Rachna Jain Jun 10, 2020

Show notes

How well do you and your spouse argue? (Hint: It's not about winning.) This is an important conversation with clinical psychologist Dr. Rachna Jain about how to have a productive argument. We are revisiting this interview because Dr. Jain offers tips for making things better. And in a time of high stress like COVID-19, especially if you're locked in the house with your significant other, this is a good one to listen to. You'll get more than you ever imagined. And your arguments will be better than ever.

3 Common Mistakes To Avoid As A Couple In Business, feat. Professor Dan Horne Jun 03, 2020

Show notes

Lots of couples are starting businesses these days. If you are one of these couples, three mistakes are common. We know, because we've made them. Prof. Dan Horne, Associate Dean of Corporate Initiatives at Providence College sets us straight with good advice and a lifetime of insight. He grew up in a family that ran a business. He's also a gifted researcher, analyst, and adviser. He lived the family entrepreneur dynamic firsthand—and has continued studying real-world CoupleCos during his career. He also has some highly salient advice for any CoupleCo anywhere. Professor Horne shares with us three important tips for any couple co that wants to avoid big trouble and possible ruin.

The Impossible Dream: CoupleCo Commitment During COVID May 27, 2020

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Is this the shortest and most potent episode of CoupleCo yet? We revisit an interview with Pennie & Roy Williams of Williams Marketing and Wizard Academy. Honey asks a question that leads Roy to wax poetic: calling on the landmark work of Spanish literature, "Don Quixote," Roy talks about the idealism and absurdity of commitment. Then, we talk about what it means to be a couple in business together--especially during the pandemic weirdness of COVID. Great things are going to happen...

"Is it a mistake being in business with your spouse?" feat. Dr. Rachna Jain May 20, 2020

Show notes

So many couples are considering this right now. And this discussion also offers tools for any couple facing normal challenges of business together. So, why launch a business together, and why now? More freedom? More flexibility? Or is it like our own situation, where one gets laid off and the other says, "Let's do it!" What are bad reasons to do it? And with workplace arguments, who ya gonna complain to? What are the red flags? Should you be in counseling? (No pancake counseling. Real counseling. And what IS pancake counseling, anyway?) And, three useful exercises for any couple in business together.

Expats In Paradise: Anne Pound & Paul Speed of Mango Vacation Rentals, Nicaragua, Part 2 May 13, 2020

Show notes

Back with our favorite expats living the dream, Anne Pound and Paul Speed of Mango Vacation Rentals in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua. Last week, we talked about everything from the realities of living the dream of a high-value, low-overhead lifestyle to adapting to the rhythm of life in a place where nobody is ever on your timetable. We continue by covering the craziest thing that has happened to them on the job in Nicaragua (Anne did wonder whether she was going to survive it), and an unusual CoupleCo survival tactic, which involves having a safe word.

Expats In Paradise: Anne Pound & Paul Speed of Mango Vacation Rentals, Nicaragua, Part 1 May 06, 2020

Show notes

Living the tropical dream: Anne Pound and Paul Speed left North America. They moved to a famous expat surfer beach destination of San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua and started a property management company, Mango Vacation Rentals. From the realities of living the low-overhead lifestyle, to adapting to a rhythm of life where nobody is on your timetable, how does this Canadian couple make it work? And what about when your dream job wakes you up at 3am? We answer burning questions, like which socio-economic vacation rental demographic misbehaves the most? You might be surprised. And yes, there are stories about toilet paper before hoarding began. Hear how these city slickers from north of the border cut their daily labor in half and enjoy their lives more.

Lawyer-Humans In Love & Biz: Shreya & Colin Ley of LayRoots, Seattle, Part 2 Apr 29, 2020

Show notes

Colin Ley and Shreya Ley of the law firm LayRoots are a dynamic, energetic pair had a lot to say about branding and marketing. Revealing themselves to their prospect has been an important part of that. In this episode, we hear about a new rule—called The Headphone Rule. They also have an interesting way of coming to terms with the problem of always talking about work: they choose hobbies where talking about work could cause a great deal of physical pain. Colin and Shreya are now living the life they want, and are designing their business around that. And what about having an exit strategy—or a no exit strategy?

Lawyer-Humans In Love & Biz: Shreya & Colin Ley of LayRoots, Seattle Apr 22, 2020

Show notes

Colin Ley and Shreya Ley operate the Seattle law firm Lay Roots LLC. This pair are young, dynamic, energetic, and are doing it for a lot of the same reasons other CoupleCos are doing it: they want to do what they do on their own terms. They both got their law degrees at Tulane in New Orleans, then left for Seattle, for which their livers probably thank them. Talking with LayRoots was fun. And that's not just because they're lawyers who are smart and funny. We spent a lot of time talking about marketing and making those decisions as a couple in business together. And Shreya and Colin have done a fine job of branding themselves as a law firm that's approachable for humans.