Committed: The Entrepreneur Marriage

Show Notes: Episode 42 This episode is a continuation of my interview with Kristin & Danny Adams. In the previous episode, we heard some of their story as they followed what they believed to be God’s prompting to leave the security of their Hollywood jobs and move back to Danny’s hometown in the midwest to create family-friendly online content.  We pick up in this episode digging into some of the realities of working together in a new business. Listen for the ways they adjusted during the pandemic, when their primary source of income disappeared, how they have learned to work together in business, and some key principles that guide them as they pursue this dream and keep the needs of their young family at the forefront.  For more information on their new book, The Road to Love and Laughter,  or to reach them about booking, you can go to their website. If you want to leave me a message or have a question, click here to record a message. The post Kristin & Danny Adams: Part 2, The Road to Love & Laughter appeared first on .

Show Notes Episode 41: Who says working on your marriage can’t be fun?  Kristin & Danny Adams have a LOT to say about working together as a team. So much so, that we recorded 2 episodes!  (From their website). Kristin & Danny both worked in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles for 15 years. Kristin was an American Idol contestant, whose fame was sealed when she slipped and slid under the judges’ table on live tv. She went on to work as a television host and correspondent. Danny was an actor, comedian, and stunt man for sports commercials.  In May 2016, they decided to leave Los Angeles and move to Danny’s hometown of Indianapolis, IN, in order to focus their efforts on producing online family-friendly content where God is always welcome. Known and loved for their lip-sync videos, they began to emcee live events and marriage conferences around the country. That is, until covid hit. (There’s a link in the show notes to the video that went viral & helped expand their speaking engagements.) Behind the laughs, however, are a real couple, with real challenges—the kind we all face if we’re honest. They share more of their story and what has helped their marriage get through some challenging times and become stronger in their brand new book, The Road to Love and Laughter.  Buckle up and join me in this 2 part conversation with this wildly talented couple.  Show notes: For more information or to connect with Kristin & Danny go to their website or find them on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube by searching “KristinandDanny”. Their new book is The Road to Love and Laughter. One of the videos that changed their life, watch here. Read the full transcript here The post Kristin & Danny Adams: The Road to Love and Laughter, Part 1 appeared first on .

Show Notes Episode 40: I’m joined today by Matt & Joy Eggerichs Reed, all the way from Paris. Well, they’re still in Paris, they just teleported in for the interview, as one does now with technology. Matt & Joy married a little later than many of their peers, so they put the pedal to the metal. In the 5 short years they’ve been married, they made an international move, added 2 children, and Joy launched a new business—Punchline Agency—just weeks before they moved. And she shares some more big news here on the podcast. Something else that will be birthed just about the time this goes live.  Listen for the way they stay focused on their mutual goals, the ways Matt is a thought partner for Joy’s business, how standup comedy provided an important tool for their communication, and an important question they come back to in this busy season of life.  Mentioned in the episode: For a link to the calendar that Joy & Matt use, click here.   Here’s a link to her new book, Get to the Publishing Punchline: A Fun (and Slightly Aggressive) 30 Day Guide to Get Your Book Ready for the World  Read the full transcript here The post Matt & Joy Eggerichs Reed: On Staying Grounded While Launching Family & Punchline Agency appeared first on .

Show notes: Savage Sublime is the husband/wife duo of Brandi & Danny Graves. They create artifacts that you will actually use in your daily life but are sturdy enough to become heirlooms. Brandi makes beautiful cutting boards from the trees on their property in Sebastopol, CA. Dan makes & curates historical Viking axes and WWII knives. Together, they collaborate to create a life and home that honors the beauty of simple things. Listen for the important legacy of their fathers, how they teach their children about business and creativity, and how collaboration connects them and keeps them dreaming. I can’t wait for you to meet this delightful couple! You can find their beautiful products at https://www.savagesublime.com/ Follow them on Instagram @savagesublimeandco Mentioned in the episode: 5 Marys Farm “Small Business from Scratch“, or find them on Instagram, @fivemarysfarms To leave a question or comment, click here. To read the full transcript, click here. The post Brandi & Danny Graves: Collaboration as Savage Sublime appeared first on .

Show Notes: Today’s episode covers so much ground with Mark & Marj McClain. You just can’t distill the wisdom of 35 years of marriage and decades of multiple ventures into 20 minutes. So listen in 2 parts if you need to, or catch the Takeaways episode that will follow. But don’t miss it! Mark wanted to be an attorney. But, as often happens, doors close and we’re forced to try avenues we didn’t think we were even good at. Mark went from budding careers at IBM then HP in California, to a startup in the faraway land of Texas.  Mark is currently the CEO and founder of SailPoint (NYSE:SAIL), a leader in the enterprise identity management market. He has led the company from its beginnings in 2005 through its VC-and PE-backed stages to its IPO in 2017, as it grew from a team of 3 to over 1,200 employees. They have customers in thirty-five countries. His recent book, Joy and Success At Work: Building Organizations That Don’t Suck The Life Out Of People, unpacks ideas for creating workplace culture that places people at the heart of a successful business. Listen for the ways Mark & Marj have learned to accommodate each other as opposite personalities, how they view risk in a startup, what helps them through hard times, and their guiding principle that has led to success in all areas of life.  Read the full transcript here The post Mark & Marj McClain: Successful IPO (SailPoint) AND Marriage? Do Tell! appeared first on .

Episode 37 Show Notes: Every once in a while, social media provides something more than a way to fill empty time or to entertain ourselves with endless puppy pictures (I’m looking at you, sweetie!) Sometimes, it provides a connection to people you might never have met otherwise.  I first “met” OL & Sway Buckley on Instagram. After following them for awhile, I saw how much great information they have for entrepreneur marriages and wanted to introduce them to you, also. Go follow them and you might even learn some smooth dance moves! OL is a former internationally award-winning banker, turned entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of RO Strong Real Estate & Financial Education firm as well as the CEO of OL Buckley Consulting. Sway is the CEO of a creative arts staffing firm, as well as the founder of Smart Artist Institute Consulting. Together, “OL & Sway co-created MarriedpreneurLife.com and co-host the Marriedpreneur Life podcast, where they help mission-minded marriedpreneurs create momentum in life and business (from their website).  Listen for the different types of entrepreneur marriages they have identified, what empathic communication can look like, how they define success, and advice they would give to couples getting started on the entrepreneur path.   You can find a full transcript here. If you’d like to leave a comment or ask a question, click here. The post OL & Sway Buckley: Marriedpreneur Life appeared first on .

Show Notes: My guests today are Zech & Rachel Newman. I was introduced to Zech through a mutual coach, Mike Loomis when Zech was releasing his book a few years ago. His book is titled: Chasing Dreams in a Minivan: For men with big goals, and the women who put up with them.  Well, I was pretty sure they would be kindred spirits, and after interviewing them, my suspicion was confirmed. Zech has owned 2 Figaro’s pizza restaurants and served on staff at their church, but recently found himself in transition again. There is one thing that most entrepreneurs have in common—they tend to be restless, always thinking about the “next”.  Zech indulges his enneagram 4  by writing, mostly, he said, to remind himself to keep first things first. Listen for how his writing opens the door for conversations with Rachel, how he views work and ministry, and how they have learned to create realistic expectations over the years, especially since his busiest times at work happen to be…dinnertime. Where to find Zech’s writing: Zech has written for Fast Company, The Good Man Project, entrepreneur.com, Mind Body Green. His website is http://zechariahnewman.com/ For a full transcript, click here. The post Zech & Rachel Newman: Keys to Rewriting Their Marriage & Life Playbook appeared first on .

Show Notes: One of the joys of having grown children is getting to meet their amazing friends. We met Brent & Julie Cody through Ryan & Amy, our middle son & daughter-in-love.  We haven’t had 1:1 time with Brent & Julie, so it was really fun to hear their story.  They talk about how they decided it was time for Brent to venture out as a startup business, in a Volkswagen van with 3 rambunctious boys. What could possibly go wrong?!  Their honesty about the challenges of a new business, self-care, and prioritizing their marriage made for another great conversation, I hope you’ll enjoy it.  Leave a voicemail or question here. Find the full transcript here. The post Brent & Julie Cody: Framing Startup Risk as a Family Adventure appeared first on .

Show Notes Episode 34: Marriage is a tricky deal. There is so much about being married, and even working together, that is fun and fulfilling, comfortable, passionate, exciting, and surprising. But, let’s be real…assuming that 2 people with different life experiences, personalities, needs and expectations will get along just because they love each other is a setup for trouble.  My guests today are one of the most honest couples you’ll ever meet. Seth & Melanie Studley, hosts of Anatomy of Marriage, had a rough start, ironically, as Seth was finishing up requirements to be a licensed Marriage & Family Counselor.  Yes, it takes more than head knowledge to create a healthy relationship, and counselors have to do the work, also. But they chose to work on themselves and to keep fighting FOR their marriage. Gradually, they were able to rebuild trust and create a dynamic, life-giving marriage.  They have shared openly through their Instagram and Facebook live conversations about their journey, and now work full-time providing “real help for real couples”. You can check out how to connect with them through the links in the show notes. Listen for the ways they gradually rebuilt trust in their marriage, for Melanie’s secret desire, and how they are learning to adapt to each other’s personality styles.  Read the full transcript here  Where to find Seth & Melanie: thestudleys.com. You can find links to all 3 shows: Anatomy of Marriage, Anatomy of Family, and Anatomy of Sex on their website. Instagram: @anatomyofmarriage Facebook: The Studleys Resources they referenced: Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer The Shift (movie) with Dr. Wayne W. Dyer Brené Brown on leading with vulnerability (all of her books are gold) If you have a question or comment, you can leave a voicemail here.  The post Seth & Melanie Studley: How Learning to Fight FOR Their Marriage Led to Helping Others Do the Same appeared first on .

This episode highlights and expands on key principles to apply to entrepreneur marriage, from episode 31, with Liz & Ben Bohannon. The post 33. The Takeaways: Liz & Ben Bohannon, Co-founders of Sseko Designs, on Doing ALL of Life Together appeared first on .

Show notes: Note: Heads up if you’re listening with young children in the car– there are a few words sprinkled through the interview that might not be for young ears (no “f” word). Today’s episode is the first of several that will focus on entrepreneurs who create art through their words, music, or visual arts.  They move us to tears. They move us to action. They move us towards each other. They move us to discover joy or our truest selves.  They provide a beautiful respite from the pressures of life. We are a musical family. My father-in-law was a minister of music for decades. His love of jazz was passed along to Mark, and on to our kids. I remember coming into the boys’ room one night when they were in high school and found them listening to a radio station out of San Antonio that played jazz on Saturday nights. What in the world? They were into all the popular music of their high school years, but jazz? It was an unexpected connection between generations.  We lived in Texas for many years, and loved living near Austin, known as “the live music capital of the world”. We began following different Americana musicians about 15 years ago, many of whom would play at Gruene Hall, the oldest dancehall in Texas, just outside New Braunfels. One of the first musicians we started following was Walt Wilkins. He is one of the most talented, generous singer/songwriters around. I’m joined today by Walt & his wife, Tina Mitchell Wilkins—a funny, talented singer/songwriter in her own right. Join me now as I talk with Walt & Tina about their roller-coaster journey as musicians who have managed to raise an awesome young man while maintaining a strong marriage.  Read the full transcript here Walt Wilkins Music on facebook Tina Wilkins on facebook TinaMitchellWilkins.com is Tina’s website & blog Walt Wilkins website tour/music info The post Walt & Tina Wilkins: Reflections on the Road They Chose appeared first on .

Show notes: Today I am so happy to have Ben & Liz Bohannon, co-founders of Sseko Designs as my guests. Liz recently released her book Beginner’s Pluck: Build Your Life of Purpose, Passion and Impact Now, which tells about her trip to Uganda as a young adult and her unconventional way of discovering her purpose and passion. I loved the audio version of the book, read by Liz. Her story and insights are sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking, but always truth telling. I highly recommend it.  Liz’s challenge of finding a way to support Ugandan women eventually led to an untested plan.  She designed a sandal that Ugandan women could make, and then she committed to selling enough sandals to fund 3 young women to go to college. This was the beginning of Sseko Designs—a social enterprise that sells beautiful fashion products made by women in Uganda, and now a few other countries. They provide jobs for women so they can earn a fair wage and have the money they need to attend college.  We get to hear a little bit about Ben in the book, but today we’re going to dive in with Ben & Liz, and hear how they manage to do all of life together. Listen for the way they sort out their roles at home and work, the role of mentors especially as newlyweds starting this new business, how they create boundaries, and how they integrate faith, work, and life.  ssekodesigns.com You can find Liz on Instagram @lizbohannon, Ben @ben_bohannon Click here to leave a message or ask a question (up to 90 seconds) Find a full transcript here. The post Liz & Ben Bohannon: Co-founders of Sseko Designs, on Doing ALL of Life Together appeared first on .

Show notes: Today I’m joined by Brent & Kierstan Fessler. Brent is another man that sat on a C12 board with Mark. Check out episode 3 with Brad & Jooyoung Voeller, and episode 29 with Trevor & Catie Bird, for interviews with other C12 peers. When Mark joined a C12 board, he found the life preserver he needed to get his head above water. These men—his board just happened to be all men—provided life-giving friendship and feedback at a critical time in the business, and our marriage. Now, we look for ways to support other entrepreneurs in their business and marriage. Brent launched Integreaters in January 2020—perfect timing for a consulting business launch! Listen for the singular principle that weaves its way through the Fessler’s approach to marriage, raising a family and building teams in the workplace. It’s simple, but not easy. Kierstan: @kfess04 on Instagram Brent: Integreaters.com Hallmark University The Connected Child C12—Christian Peer Advisory Groups The reference to pain/peace cycles comes from Five Days to a New Marriage, by Terry Hargrave & Shawn Stoever Have a question or comment? Leave me a message up to 90 seconds here You can find the full transcript here. The post Brent & Kierstan Fessler: Love Works in Marriage, Parenting, & Workplace appeared first on .

Show notes: About 15 years into starting and scaling Alzcare, the assisted living company Mark started in 1997, he was burned out. It began to take a toll on our marriage as neither of us had much left in the tank. A friend told Mark about C12—a Christian peer board that met once a month. This group of men—there are women on many of the boards, but his happened to be all men—became the antidote for the loneliness and burnout he felt. After the very first meeting Mark attended,  I felt like I’d gotten my husband back. Several interviews in the cue are people we met through that board. To each of you, I want you to know how grateful I am for the life-giving friendship you provided, just in time. And now you get to meet some of them! Brad & Jooyoung Voeller were interviewed in episode 3. Today I’m talking with Trevor & Catie Bird. In 2016, they moved from Texas to Durango, CO, to become co-owners of the Harley-Davidson dealership. Listen for the way they made this decision as a couple, how they are teaching their young children about business, what teamwork looks like, and how they keep their busy entrepreneur marriage growing. durangoharley.com If you’d like to leave a voice message (90 seconds max) with a comment or question, click here. You can find a full transcript here. The post Trevor & Catie Bird: Co-Owners Durango Harley-Davidson, On The Ride of Their Lives! appeared first on .

Show notes: The 3rd episode in a series where Mark & I chronicle buying a business. This episode covers the process of “dating”–getting more information, how the SBA loan process works, difference between buying assets and buying a business. And most importantly, how we process this as a couple. Find the full transcript here The post We’re Buying a Business! Part 3, “Dating & Engagement” appeared first on .

Show notes: Part 2 of a series where Mark & Kathy pull back the curtain on their process of buying a business. The pandemic created a heightened awareness of the need to diversify their income. Currently, all of their business involves long-term care, which took a big hit in the pandemic. We discuss the process of narrowing the many options of businesses for sale, and how we approach it as a couple, noting how different this is compared to when Mark started AlzCare 22 years ago! For more marriage resources, go to kathyrushing.com. Find the full transcript here The post We’re Buying a Business! Part 2: Narrowing the search appeared first on .

Show Notes: Mark & I are in the process of buying a business. In the middle (are we in the middle? Please say yes.) of a pandemic. This is Part 1 of what will be at least 4 parts: Why are we looking at buying a business? What homework have we done to get to this point? What dating (a potential business) looks like. Negotiation…marriage? Find the full transcript here The post We’re Buying a Business– In a Pandemic! Part 1 appeared first on .

SHOWNOTES: I love meeting entrepreneurs. It’s like hearing a good adventure story when I listen to a seasoned entrepreneur tell their story from startup to sale. The episode with Bob & Rose Knorr, which was episode 2, was a nail biter, and I already knew the ending! But I especially love hearing the stories of young entrepreneurs that have so much vision and energy and drive. Today’s guests are early-stage entrepreneurs. I connected with Caitlin through Instagram last year, and have loved watching her grow CCS Flower Truck. Her partner, Nate, turns out, is an entrepreneur, also. Join me now as we unpack their story. Listen for the challenges they faced right out of the starting gate of this new business. Connect with Caitlin on Instagram, @ccsflowertruck For more marriage resources, go to kathyrushing.com. Find the full transcript here The post Caitlin Dunnagan & Nate Hunt: Early Stage Entrepreneurs & CCS Flower Truck appeared first on .

Show Notes: How do 2 strong willed, competitive people thrive for 33 years of marriage? By wrestling. Yep, that’s what they said!  Nathan & Dianne Baxter join me today, and boy, did we cover a lot of ground.  Their career paths seemed to be an unlikely fit when they fell in love. But as love would have it, they found they had more in common than they realized.  Nathan started his career as a youth pastor, then began to focus more on life coaching. After 20+ years on church staff, he launched  “Lead Self Lead Others”, a coaching and consulting business. Dianne has successfully built a Mary Kay business fueled by her passion to empower women to achieve their potential.  Their shared passion for life coaching culminated in the recent release of their book, Real Coaching Success: What it Takes to be an Excellent Coach and Build Your Business.  Dianne & Nathan share insights about how they found ways to stop fighting against each other and get on the same team. They talk about communication, scheduling, parenting, personality differences, and  finding a rhythm when working from home—which they’ve done for at least 20 years. Many thanks to our mutual friend, Mike Loomis, for introducing us!  Links: Lead Self Lead Others Real Coaching Success Read the full transcript here The post Nathan & Dianne Baxter: Life Coaches Share Keys to Long-Term Marriage (note: they couldn’t agree on anything in the beginning!) appeared first on .

Show Notes: This episode is releasing on January 12, 2021. This will forever be a special day for us— it’s our anniversary. This year marks 41 years since we stood in front of our family and friends, and committed to whatever was ahead. We were young and idealistic, and gave no thought to how hard that commitment would be at times. It’s probably a good thing that none of us knows what the future holds, or we might never take any risk. But we looked to a future that was full of hope and opportunity. I had someone by my side that loved me simply—Mark is not one for token gifts or platitudes. He simply sees me, with all my brokenness, and loves me anyway. Every day. That is something I still have trouble accepting some days, having grown up with a father that was mostly indifferent, then left us completely when I was 17. Mark’s love has been a safe place for me to learn what real love feels like. Thank you, babe. And cheers to many more years together. But that’s not to say that we haven’t struggled at times. There was a season when I wanted to leave…that’s a story for another time, but enough to say that we tied a knot and hung on to our faith in God’s goodness, and kept taking one day at a time. Maybe you have experienced a similar place in your marriage, or you’re there now. You don’t see a way out of the pain and can’t imagine how things can get better. Well, listen in to today’s episode with my guest Toni Nieuwhof. She is the author of a brand new book which is releasing today. Her book is called Before You Split: Find what you really want for the future of your marriage. A former divorce attorney, Toni writes very honestly about her now 30-year marriage to Carey Nieuwhof, and how they went from “that bad, to this good”. Carey is also a former attorney, and the founding pastor of Connexus Church near Toronto, Canada. I can only imagine what it looks like for 2 lawyers to fight it out! It took a lot of work, but they gradually transformed their marriage. Toni deeply believes that you don’t have to stay in a toxic place in your relationship. Her book offers tools and hope to other marriages that may be struggling. Join me now as Toni & I talk about this new book. You can connect with Toni on Instagram, @toninieuwhof Visit my instagram feed before Jan. 25, 2021, @entrepreneur_marriage_coach for a chance to win a free copy of Toni’s book. You can find the full transcript here. The post Toni Nieuwhof, Author of “Before You Split” appeared first on .

SHOW NOTES: Happy New Year! This episode reviews 4 ways to review the previous year & set goals, individually and as a couple. We reveal our process for reviewing the year (that hopefully shall never be repeated), and how we set goals now as empty nesters with fewer work obligations. Links: The “3 questions” have circulated in various forms on the internet. I don’t have the original source. Marie Forleo’s decade in review  Ninja Selling: Self-Reflection is a Key to Mastery (This is the video that discusses self-mastery. One exercise is to identify 5 people that helped you get through 2020) Michael Hyatt’s Best Year Ever and Full Focus Planner Full transcript here. The post How We Review & Prepare Goals for a Fulfilling New Year appeared first on .

Show notes: Sheryl O’Loughlin is the author of Killing It: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Keeping Your Head Without Losing Your Heart. She has successfully served as CEO of Clif Bar and REBBL (a company that makes super herb drinks). She co-founded Plum Organics, the hardest thing she’s ever done, she said.  Currently, she works with the J.E.D.I. Collaborative, a group that seeks to help build a natural products industry that promotes justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. After leaving Plum, Sheryl thought teaching might be a nice break from the roller coaster of launching a new business. She accepted the position of Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies in the Stanford Graduate School of Business.   As she mentored entrepreneur students, she realized that no one was talking about the realities of startup life—how few startups actually make it, and the price many pay getting there—personally, emotionally, physically. This became her inspiration for sharing her hard-won lessons in the book. She deeply believes that entrepreneurs need a healthier paradigm, one that balances the whole person. There are several interviews with Sheryl that focus on her experience as CEO and founder, so we don’t dive into that. Instead, this interview focuses more on the intersection of her marriage and entrepreneurial experience. Her husband, Patrick, did not want to be interviewed, so we miss his voice. He graciously gives Sheryl his blessing to discuss their marriage, as she does so honestly in her book. Sheryl is passionate and refreshingly honest with so much wisdom to share. I hope you will have grace for some audio issues we experienced. As a team of 3—me, myself & I—there is still a learning curve, and I’m learning some things the hard way. Join me now as I welcome Sheryl to the podcast. Read the full transcript here The post Sheryl O’Loughlin: A Healthier Paradigm for Entrepreneurs appeared first on .

Shownotes: The only thing more viral than Covid-19 might be stress. I share 3 ways to help your spouse when they are stressed out. The original blog post that prompted this episode can be found here. The pdf titled The ABC’s of Managing Stress can be downloaded here.    The post How to Help Your Stressed-Out Spouse appeared first on .

Kathy shares an article she wrote for cobizmag.com. There are 3 key relationships that help entrepreneurs thrive while starting a business. The post transcript can be found here. The post Three Relationships That Successful Entrepreneurs Maintain appeared first on .

Transcript: Shannon & Bryan Miles are the co-founders of Belay Solutions, which provides virtual support services for business owners. They were recently listed in the Inc 5000 for the 6th year in a row. As if that achievement isn’t enough, they have managed to create a thriving marriage WHILE running Belay together. Their company has evolved since they began 10 years ago, but their focus has always been to have a great marriage, a priority they place ahead of a great business. These are my people! In the fall of 2019, they opened NoFo Brew Co. & Distillery, in Cumming, GA. And in the year that shall not be named or repeated, God willing, they launched Own Not Run, a consultancy for people in various stages of the entrepreneur journey. Their sense of adventure was revealed in their answer to my question, “If your marriage was a team sport, what would it be?” Shannon mentioned white water rafting. Not surprising, as their first date was….bridge jumping in college. Who does that?? Bryan said doubles ping pong would be his analogy. You have to alternate shots and you have to work together to beat your opponent. So, from one extreme to the other! The book that has affirmed their family goals is a Pat Lencioni book called Three Big Questions for a Frantic Family. Shannon said that if you run your family with the same intention as your business, families might be in a better place. If you have never read Lencioni’s books, pull up a list and see if something resonates. His books are written as fables—easy to read and remember the principles covered in the book. Shannon & Bryan are some of the most down to earth people I’ve met. Their advice comes from the hard work they’ve done and their commitment to having a great marriage, no matter what life throws at them. Bryan & Shannon met in college. When Bryan’s dad was diagnosed with lung cancer, Bryan decided to leave school, work full-time, and finish college taking night classes. He took on the responsibilities or (“responsibilaries” as rug rats used to say) of adulthood quickly, knowing nothing was going to be handed to him. They married just out of college, figuring whatever was ahead, they would figure out together. They lost his dad, and Shannon’s stepdad, both to lung cancer, within a year of each other. It was hard, and as Shannon said, they raised each other in those early days. But they learned to put the needs of the other first—dying to self, Bryan said. This might be one of the hardest parts of marriage, no matter what age people marry. The concept of dying to self may not be a term some are familiar with. In the Christian faith, which Bryan & Shannon practice, there are many teachings about loving others by serving them well—whether that’s a spouse, a child, a co-worker, or a neighbor. The paradox of dying to self, in order to have the fullest life, is what Bryan is referring to. If this is not your faith tradition, you might focus on understanding the needs and personality of your partner. No matter how much you have in common, you are 2 very different people, and it requires a lot of give and take to create a marriage that works for both of you. Some of the most distressed marriages I’ve seen are ones where each party only sees things from their perspective. Fast forward about 10 years. With 2 young kids, Shannon & Bryan decided to leave jobs that they enjoyed and had taught them a lot, but were not providing the lifestyle they wanted. They spent a couple months talking with others about starting a business to provide virtual support to business owners. Then, they did what any couple would do: they cashed out their 401k’s, and on the same day, Oct. 1, 2010, they both resigned their jobs to start this new venture. Many of the couples I interview only have 1 entrepreneur in the family, and this can be challenging enough. But Bryan & Shannon took the leap together, both fully invested in the success of this venture. They had one failed venture behind them—a mortgage company that didn’t survive. Fortunately, they were both still working at the time. But 2010, when they launched Belay, was new territory. They were all in, and it was demanding at first, as are all startups. Things that contributed to their success: Celebrating their differences: By the time they launched, they knew a lot about each other’s personality, the strengths they each brought to the table and areas where they could default to the other. They have very different personalities in some ways, and Shannon said after years of being together, and some counseling, “we stopped trying to make each other, the other person, and that made all the difference”. I see this a lot especially in the early days of marriage. More women seem to have high expectations that their spouse will like everything they like, handle conflict the same, want to take the same type of vacations. There can be a lot of conflict around these, often unspoken, expectations, until a couple can accept, and even celebrate the fact that they are very different people. Priorities were right sized: from the beginning, their priority was to have a great marriage. Bryan referred to “accidental” priorities when starting a business. It seems so big, it’s hard to see beyond. Worst case scenario—would their marriage be ok? Their main outcome was not to have a great business. Business supported the things they wanted to accomplish as a family. Tool: getting on the same side of the line. Name the problem, how are we going to fix it? Mentors: they had people they would consult for specific issues. Mentors are not created equal, Bryan said. Some may have great business advice, but they have not been able to sustain a healthy marriage, so you might find it helpful to have mentors for different seasons, different issues. If you have time, catch the full interview with Bryan and Shannon. If you enjoyed this, please consider giving a rating and a review on apple podcasts. That really helps others find this resource. You’re building a life together. Make it a great one. Check out the full episode with Bryan & Shannon here. The post The Takeaways: Bryan & Shannon Miles, Start With the End in Mind in Marriage & Business appeared first on .

Show Notes: Shannon & Bryan Miles are the co-founders of Belay Solutions, which provides virtual support services for business owners. They were recently listed in the Inc 5000 for the 6th year in a row. As if that achievement isn’t enough, they have managed to create a thriving marriage WHILE running Belay together. Their company has evolved since they began 10 years ago, but their focus has always been to have a great marriage, a priority they place ahead of a great business. These are my people! In the fall of 2019, they opened NoFo Brew Co. & Distillery, in Cumming, GA. And in the year that shall not be named or repeated, God willing, they launched Own Not Run, a consultancy for people in various stages of the entrepreneur journey. They are rich with wisdom for entrepreneur marriages, so let’s get right to it. Mentioned in the episode: ownnotrun.com The 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family: A Leadership Fable by Pat Lencioni I Said This, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman Connect with Shannon & Bryan on Instagram, @ownnotrundotcom. Click here for the complete transcript. The post Bryan & Shannon Miles: Start With the End in Mind, in Marriage & Business appeared first on .

Show notes: This is another takeaway episode, highlighting the interview I did with André & Jeff Shinabarger. You can catch the nuggets here if you’re short on time. Is it possible to change the world, stay in love, & have a healthy family? This is the multi-part question that André & Jeff Shinabarger wanted to answer when they started the Love or Work project about 3 years ago. They set out to interview 100 working couples, sometimes traveling in an Airstream provided by one of the project partners. They also worked with the Barna Group to survey a larger cross-section of working couples. Jeff & André recently birthed a 3rd child…their book, Love or Work, which compiles their own experience with all they’ve learned during this project. I highly recommend this book as a launching place sometimes hard discussions. They alternate writing chapters and are quick to point out that after all the discussions that went into the book,  even they don’t agree on everything written by the other. And that’s OK. The chapters conclude with questions you can discuss together and a link to one of their podcast episodes which relate to the chapter topic.  André works as a PA in downtown Atlanta. Jeff is a social entrepreneur and author of 2 other books. He’s the founder and Executive Director of Plywood People, “a nonprofit community of startups doing good” (from their website). I’m joined by a special guest today—my sweetie of 40 years, Mark.  It turned out to be a wee bit longer than other takeaway episodes as Mark & I talked about applications from the perspective of our marriage. Here we go. For more information or to reach out to Jeff & André, you can find them on Instagram, @loveorwork, or their website. The post The Takeaways: André & Jeff Shinabarger, Love or Work appeared first on .

SHOW NOTES: Is it possible to change the world, stay in love, & have a healthy family? This is the multi-part question that André & Jeff Shinabarger wanted to answer when they started the Love or Work project about 3 years ago. They set out to interview 100 working couples, sometimes traveling in an Airstream provided by one of the project partners. They also worked with the Barna Group to survey a larger cross-section of working couples. Jeff & André recently birthed a 3rd child…their book, Love or Work, which compiles their own experience with all they’ve learned during this project. André works as a Physician Assistant in downtown Atlanta. Jeff is a social entrepreneur and author of 2 other books. He’s the founder and Executive Director of Plywood People, “a nonprofit community of startups doing good” (from their website). This was another fun, insightful interview with people that have done the work to have a great relationship. Let’s do this… Contact: You can connect with the Shinabargers on Instagram, @loveorwork. I highly recommend their book, Love or Work, available on Amazon, or check out the website, loveorworkbook.com. You can find a full transcript here. The post André & Jeff Shinabarger: Love or Work appeared first on .

Shownotes: Takeaway episodes are a summary of important highlights from a longer episode. If you’re short on time, this is a great way to learn from other couples that are thriving in their entrepreneur journey.     Transcript: This is another takeaway episode, where I summarize the highlights of an interview through my perspective as a marriage coach. It’s a quick way to get straight to the takeaways for those of you short on time. Or patience.  Ashley & Jeff Corn have been married 7 years, together 12. They live with their 2 young kiddos in Denver, CO. Jeff started Virtuance, a real estate photography & visual marketing company almost 10 years ago. They now have  offices in over 30 cities. Ashley’s background in performance psychology led her to work with an Army program that develops resilience. She recently launched a website, Joint Venture Marriage, to provide encouragement for other entrepreneur couples.  I’ve been asking a fun question recently: If your marriage was a team sport, what would it be? They chose sailing as the metaphor for the team sport that best represented their marriage. Avid sailors, they found many analogies from sailing that applied to marriage, as well as startup life.  Jeff said in sailing there’s a skipper, and a crew. They bring different skill sets that are all necessary for managing the boat. There’s an understood agreement that when I do this, you do this in response, and vice versa. I would add that this understanding can’t be assumed; it requires full agreement about the expectations involved in that role. When applied to marriage, I see many couples that don’t discuss expectations openly. One or both assume that the other will respond in a certain way, without clearly saying what they NEED or WANT from the other.  Sailing has been described as long periods of boredom, interspersed with moments of sheer terror. This is NOT their marriage, Ashley was quick to point out, except that at times they are spinning too many plates in the air and have a hard time keeping up, and it feels a little crazy.  There are quicker ways to get to your destination, so you’d better enjoy the journey. This speaks more to a startup. The unknown twists & turns of a new venture are part of the journey. If you just want to make money, there are more secure ways of doing that. Most entrepreneurs would say that having the freedom to pursue what they envision is what they love about choosing this journey.  Ashley added that sailing can take you to beautiful places. it is a give and take with the crew and the captain. Being able to work together to make that happen and steer where you want to go takes both of them. BOOM! There’s that teamwork concept again!  If there is a common theme evolving from these interviews, it’s that couples that are able to navigate the choppy waters of a new, growing venture do so as a TEAM. That doesn’t mean they both work IN the business necessarily, but they have an understanding that it takes both of them being on board to keep heading in the right direction. Ashley & Jeff have done some important work to get on the same team. While they enjoy many things in common, they are somewhat different temperaments. Jeff is a little more of a risk taker, while Ashley is intentional, more of a planner.  They had a particularly rough time when their first child was born. Jeff was traveling a lot, and Ashley felt like a single parent. This is a pattern I hear so often, that if there was only ONE thing I could get entrepreneur couples to focus on, it’s becoming a team. So often, the entrepreneur is so busy, he doesn’t see that their spouse is drowning. Ashley started looking for resources for their marriage. She found couples to interview, and learned strategies that were helpful to them. She read books, searched the internet for resources. (Side note—my website and this podcast were some of the resources she found. A reminder from our sponsor— sharing the podcast and the website resources, helps others find the tools and help they need. OK, back to the show.)  Together, they became more intentional about developing agreements around work hours, so Ashley knew she would have some relief. They spend some time at the beginning of the year talking about goals they have and how they will help each other accomplish these goals.  They had to be vulnerable—willing to hear the other, and to say what they needed. This is such an important part of a thriving marriage. Ashley could have just allowed the resentment to build, stepping up her appearance of competence. “I’m fine” is too often the automatic response of capable, but exhausted, women. You can only keep up the front so long, before the facade cracks. So kudos to both of them for doing the work. These challenging seasons, and parenthood is a significant season, aren’t always fun.  But meeting the storms head on is the only way we stretch and grow, reaching for the life preservers wherever we can find them. (See, still getting sailing examples!)  Jeff did something that is another important practice in successful marriages. He publicly affirmed Ashley for her contributions to the company. It doesn’t have to be public, but those are bonus points! He said that most of the good ideas around company culture have come from her, and that he is better because of who she is, and so is their company, and their marriage. So good. Research supports the positive effect of affirming or showing appreciation for the contributions each makes to the business, and each other.  The last thing I want to unpack has to do with preparation—I had asked if there were things they wish they’d known before launching a business. Ashley felt it would have been helpful to know more about what they would be facing, while Jeff pointed out that failure to launch is the danger of too much analysis. I agree that some people will never launch a startup or commit to a relationship, for that matter, until everything is perfect. I think there is a great benefit in couples having specific conversations before deciding to launch a startup. It’s fairly common to see the entrepreneur as having more risk appetite, while the spouse is more cautious, which can provide some checks and balances along the way. But too often, entrepreneurs launch without having important agreements with their spouse. So here’s my 2 cents—find a couple that have started something, and ask them about their experience. What is it we don’t even know to ask? You can’t prepare for everything. Even in sailing, you read weather reports, and sometimes a storm comes out of seemingly nowhere. But there are ways to inform your decision, so you can begin as a team.  Check out Ashley’s website at jvmarriage.com, or share this episode with someone who might just need a life preserver. You’re building a life together. Make it a great one! The post The Takeaways from Ashley & Jeff Corn: Vulnerability in Marriage & Work appeared first on .

Ashley & Jeff Corn Show Notes: One of the reasons I started this podcast was to have conversations with other couples who are on the entrepreneur journey. I want to learn what other couples do to keep their marriage strong when business issues threaten to sink the ship. Mark could never go back to working for someone else, so we wouldn’t trade this life we’ve created for all the tea in China. But sometimes the challenges that come with growing a business feel overwhelming and you’d like to know you’re not the only one in the boat. By the way, you’ll understand the sailing analogies after you listen to the interview. Ashley Corn & I recently connected through Instagram, as she was also looking for resources for her entrepreneur marriage. She recently launched her website, jvmarriage.com—JV stands for “Joint Venture”. She and her husband, Jeff, join me on today’s episode. They are funny, encouraging, and open in sharing the challenges they faced, especially as they added children to the whirlwind of Jeff’s growing business. Listen in as the Corns share their story. Contact info: Ashley Corn: Instagram @jointventuremarriage Facebook: Joint Venture Marriage Website: www.jvmarriage.com Jeff Corn: www.virtuance.com A full transcript can be found here. The post Ashley & Jeff Corn: Vulnerability in Marriage & Work appeared first on .

SHOW NOTES: This episode with Sue B. & Roger Zimmerman was so fun. I went through Sue B.’s “Ready Set Gram Pro” coaching course this past spring. Not only did I learn a ton about Instagram, but I became part of an amazing community that she and her team have developed. Sue B. is a fireball of energy and passion when it comes to coaching her students. She truly is @theinstagramexpert. Today she’s joined by her husband, Roger.  Listen in as we hit the highlights of what has kept their 30-year marriage fun and fresh. Where to connect: Sue B. Zimmerman can be found mostly on Instagram (duh!) @theinstagramexpert Roger Zimmerman–LinkedIn Kathy’s Instagram handle: @entrepreneur_marriage_coach Full transcript here. The post Roger & Sue B. Zimmerman: Secrets to 30-Year Happy Marriage appeared first on .

Shownotes Today’s interview with Matthew & Jen Brown falls into the category of “early-stage” entrepreneurs. The idea for Chimney Trail came after Matthew’s multiple deployments as a Naval officer. He observed that the reunification process after deployment is challenging for many military families. In 2018, Matthew & Jen, along with Matthew’s Naval Academy roommates launched Chimney Trail, with the mission of helping families build resilience in their children through outdoor adventure. Though the pandemic has limited their travel offerings, they have a lot of great resources that families can use right now.  I can’t think of a time in our history when the need for building resilience in our children has been greater.  After 15 years of active service in the Navy, Matthew continues to work with Seal Teams as a  Reserve Naval Officer, 1 of his 3 current job descriptions. Jen & Matthew now live in Ft. Collins, CO, where Jen can realize her dream of teaching in ONE school long term. This episode has some real gems inside, especially if you are a parent. Matthew & Jen were so fun to visit with. Join me as we meet them now. Click here for full transcript. Mentioned in the podcast: Chimney Trail Chris Kyle foundation If you enjoyed this episode, check out Brad & Jooyoung Voeller’s episode.     The post Matthew & Jen Brown: Building Resilience & Family Connections appeared first on .

Show Notes I’m joined today by Drew & Sarah Hiss, empty nesters who recently moved to Colorado, where 2 of their adult children live.  Drew & Sarah started a payroll and HR technology solutions company from their basement with 2 little kids. They bootstrapped this business and knew they had to make it work when Sarah lost her job soon after.  They added 2 more kids, and Sarah transitioned to full-time mom, as Drew focused on growing Checkdate Solutions. Though there were many challenges, the company was one of Kansas City’s top100 fastest growing companies 9 years in a row. The company was twice named one of the Greater KC Chamber of Commerce Best Businesses. Checkdate Solutions merged with a payroll industry leader in 2008. Drew stepped away from the day to day operations but remained on the board for 8 years.  As almost every entrepreneur does, Drew started another venture in 2015, with his business partner, Dan Cooper. Acumen was started with “the desire to help business owners leverage the influence of their business platform for eternal impact.” (from Amazon bio for the book, Sharpen: A Guidebook for Business Ownership and Adventures in Leadership, by Dan Cooper and Drew Hiss). Drew and Sarah give us a glimpse into their entrepreneurial journey and insights into ways they have made their marriage a priority. This was “take 2” of the interview. We spent a wonderful evening at their new home just before the world shut down, and did a live interview. Seriously, I don’t know what happened to the recording, but Mark tells me now I’m a “real” podcaster, because everyone he listens to has had that happen at least once. I was so relieved that Drew & Sarah agreed to a do-over. Thanks, guys. Now let’s get to this interview.  Contacts: acumenimpact.com [email protected] [email protected] Mentioned in the podcast: His Needs, Her Needs by Willard F. Harley, Jr. The 5 Love Languages, by Gary Chapman My 5 Husbands, Kathy Rushing Full transcript here.  The post Drew & Sarah Hiss: A Partnership Committed to a Legacy of Success & Significance appeared first on .

Show notes This episode highlights important takeaways from my interview with Dorcas in Episode 8, for those of you that don’t have time to listen to a longer episode or just want to get right to the heart of the episode. In these shorter episodes, I’ll add my insights through my lens as a Marriage Coach and entrepreneur spouse. Dorcas is the author of “Start.Love.Repeat: How to Stay in Love with Your Entrepreneur in a Crazy Start-up World”. Her new book, “Let There D.Light: How One Social Enterprise Provided Solar Products to 100 Million People” is the story of the start-up and growth of d.light, the international social enterprise founded by her husband, Ned, and his Stanford Graduate school classmates in 2006. The book releases on Amazon, July 21, 2020. No doubt this will be a valuable resource of inspiration to anyone thinking about launching a business, or is in the thick of scaling a venture. You can find more information about Uniquely Us, the assessment package I offer couples here.     The post The Takeaways: Dorcas Cheng-Tozun’s interview appeared first on .

Episode show notes: I’ve been looking forward to today’s interview with Dorcas Cheng-Tozun for over a year. I reached out to her last year, but she and her family were living in Nairobi, Kenya, one of several international moves they have made while growing d.light.  Dorcas is the author of Start, Love, Repeat: How to Stay in Love with Your Entrepreneur in a Crazy Startup World. She will be releasing her new book, Let There d.light: How One Social Enterprise Brought Solar Products to 100 million People, on July 21, 2020. (Available on Amazon) Our conversation weaves an overview of the startup and growth of d.light, with the personal challenges she faced as the company grew. d.light is the business her husband, Ned, and his Stanford Business school cohorts started in 2007. They began this social enterprise with the goal of bringing inexpensive lighting options to some of the poorest areas in the world. It has been a challenging journey, but Dorcas and Ned have creatively found ways to thrive in the midst of growing d.light. You can reach Dorcas through her website: https://www.chengtozun.com, as well as Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. Full transcript here.   The post Dorcas Cheng-Tozun: Author & Entrepreneur Spouse, Hard-Won Perspective from Life in an International Social Enterprise appeared first on .

Episode notes I’m joined today by Bekah & Adam Voglewede. Bekah’s evolution as a small business owner has a unique twist, reminding us that not all entrepreneurs are big risk takers. I met Bekah several years ago when I started seeing her for facials. Bekah is passionate about sharing her knowledge of healthy skin with her clients. Over time, I recognized that Bekah’s passion for health extended to all areas of her life. As I’ve listened to her talk about their marriage and plans for her business, Vōg Skin Care, I knew they would be a good fit for the podcast. This is another episode recorded during the Great Shutdown of 2020. (Is that a term? I think I just made it up.) Listen in as we hear their remarkable story.  Mentioned in the episode: vogart.org  (Adam’s website for his limestone sculptures) vogskincare.com (Bekah’s business website) The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What To Do About It by Michael E. Gerber   Full transcript here The post Bekah & Adam Voglewede: Behind the Scenes of a Successful Small Business appeared first on .

Episode Notes: My guests today are Tony & Felicity Dale. In 1987, they packed up the biggest suitcases they could find and moved their 4 young children across the pond from London to Austin, TX. They didn’t know a soul, but they were following the Lord’s direction to continue a ministry they had been part of as medical doctors, serving the poorest part of London. Now married 49 years, Tony & Felicity share their story of walking faithfully, even when they couldn’t see where the path was taking them. Tony started the Karis Group in 1996 after he injured his knee & successfully negotiated down a medical bill that was much more than he’d been quoted. The Karis group negotiates medical cost savings for groups that share medical expenses. Initially, they saw this business as a way to support their house church ministry, something that Tony & Felicity have shared leadership and passion for since their early days of marriage. But later, it became clear that they should offer medical cost-sharing to anyone that wanted it, not just Christian groups. Sedera Medical Cost Sharing Community was started to fulfill this mission, and last year (2019) it was noted as the fastest growing small business in Austin.   Felicity is also the author of several books about starting and leading house churches and the role of women in the church.  This interview was done in May 2020, in the midst of the Covid-19 shutdown. Their story is a much needed reminder of God’s faithfulness when we can’t see what the future holds. Join me now in meeting this delightful couple.  * * * Where to find Tony & Felicity: Tony: [email protected] Felicity: [email protected] Books by Felicity Dale:  The Black Swan Effect: A response to gender hierarchy in the church Getting Started, A Practical Guide to Church Planting An Army of Ordinary People Other books: The Rabbit and the Elephant: Why Small Is the New Big for Today’s Church by Tony Dale, Felicity Date, George Barna Simply Church, Co-authored by Tony & Felicity Dale Full transcript here.                         The post Tony & Felicity Dale: Doctors Committed to Restoring Body & Soul appeared first on .

What does an egalitarian marriage look like? I didn’t know that Bill & Sarah Woolsey would illustrate this so beautifully, but in this episode, they share about the give and take to make both of their dreams a reality. Their story includes navigating a serious illness only a year into marriage, putting together the puzzle of identifying their career paths, and a hard lesson about the importance of staying connected and moving towards each other.  Sarah is the brainchild behind The Impact Guild, a co-working space united around the idea of work engaging with the community. She is a social entrepreneur, passionate about the intersection of faith and work. Bill recently left another law practice to start his own law office in partnership with his father. And since recording this podcast, they have welcomed another baby girl to their family. Definitely in the thick of growing their family and businesses, they share some ways they intentionally work on their marriage in this season. Their story reminds us that it is possible to have a life-giving relationship while building your business.  Mentioned in this episode: The Impact Guild: https://www.theimpactguild.com Typology, a podcast by Ian Cron (https://www.typologypodcast.com) “a podcast that explores the mystery of the human personality and how we can use the Enneagram typing system as a tool to become our most authentic selves.” Topics: 4:07 Met in 6th grade, dating, marriage 5:46 What did they want to be when they grew up? Neither had clear direction 11:04 Took off on motorcycle after college, stayed in Boulder 15:12 Wanted meaningful work, back to Texas, Residential Foster Care 16:34 Bill becomes very ill, no clear diagnosis, bonding time for marriage 21:12 Both start new jobs. Bill goes to law school. Sarah gaining experience that led to interest in social enterprise–The Impact Guild launched 31:16 Did Bill know Sarah was an entrepreneur? Does he see himself as an entrepreneur? 35:16 Seasons in their marriage, taking turns to achieve their dreams 43:15 Talking about work at home, understanding each other’s work stresses, healthy communication, “circle up” 51:09 Healthy mentors for their relationship 53:43 hard season, choosing to take steps back toward each other 58:45 navigating conflict 59:24 Have you done any personality type exploration? 1:02:49 What do you do to increase intimacy, fun & friendship in the relationship? 1:07:41 final words of wisdom The post Sarah & Bill Woolsey: Creating Impact through Social Enterprise appeared first on .

Today’s episode picks up a conversation between me and my serial entrepreneur hubby, Mark. We talk about his career progression from pastor & church planter to serial entrepreneur. We explore his “aha” discovery in his mid 40’s, several years after launching his company. We discuss the benefits of personality profiles & mentors in discovering our truest selves. Stay tuned to the end for something just for listeners of this podcast.  Referenced in this episode: *DISC profile—used for personal & professional growth *Every Good Endeavor, by Tim Keller *Link for Marriage Discovery (DISC assessments & personalized feedback): Marriage Discovery  *Rebate (only good until 3/31/2020): After purchasing the package, just type “episode004” in the subject line to my email: [email protected] Topics: 1:07 Mark’s early ideas about work 6:53 Ten years out of college: seminary, ministry, & starting over 10:42 Self-perception: “I don’t fit”. Square peg 11:22 Changing careers, discovering business acumen 13:45 2008, starts AlzCare (Assisted Living for Alzheimer’s patients) 16:22 Still doesn’t call himself an entrepreneur  20:08 Mark’s “aha” moment. Affirmation of how he’s wired 25:57 Impact of creating meaningful work 28:08 Advice to someone considering entrepreneur venture 31:53 Benefits of assessments in finding life’s work 36:21 Knowing your strengths & weaknesses as a leader; bringing in team members to accomplish the company’s mission 38:49 Advice to his 20-year-old self The post Mark Rushing: From Pastor to Entrepreneur: How He Uncovered His True Life’s Work appeared first on .

Being married to an entrepreneur can be challenging, especially when that isn’t how you’re wired. I’ve heard many spouses voice frustration when it’s taking longer than expected for a startup to become profitable. “why can’t you just get a job?” Is a common question asked when month after month, savings dwindle, along with  the hope of a real vacation anytime soon. Now, imagine that you grow up in a culture where entrepreneurs are rare, and the security of a government or teaching job is the extent of your occupational options? That is the setting for today’s interview with Brad & Jooyoung Voeller. Since 2001, Brad has launched a series of non-profits and for-profit organizations that facilitate online learning. In his early 20’s, he moved to South Korea to expand his concepts, launching online academies for Korean homeschool families. When he and Jooyoung met and began their relationship, Jooyoung had no idea what it meant to be an entrepreneur. Ever the educator, Brad did his best to inform her, but understanding the ups and downs of the entrepreneur life only came through experience.   At the time of this interview, Brad was in the scaling phase of DCI—Digital Creative Institute. He started the company in 2015 to provide apprenticeships for recent marketing grads, allowing them to gain the experience needed to launch their careers.  Brad & Jooyoung were so gracious to take the time out of their busy schedules to sit down with me and share candidly about their journey in marriage and startup life. Listen in now as they share the story of their evolving partnership and shared passion for changing lives through education. Mentioned in the podcast: The Dip, Seth Godin C12 Group: https://www.c12group.com To connect with Brad: [email protected] DCA: https://digitalcreativeinstitute.com Topics discussed: 4:46 What in the world is an entrepreneur? 12:20 Entrepreneurship requires great teams 18:04 Becoming a team 21:25 Brad feels Jooyoung support & validation 26:08 Hard reality—canceling vacation 31:33 Current business 42:08 What it would mean to “get a job” 46:17 Lessons learned  49:30 Business premortem and postmortem 52:42 Role of advisors 56:25 Fun, friendship, intimacy The post Brad & Jooyoung Voeller: True Partnership Forged From Challenges of Startup Life appeared first on .

Bob & Rose Knorr Show notes: My guests on today’s episode are Bob & Rose Knorr. They are an example of what Chip Conley refers to as “modern-day elders”. But don’t confuse elders with “old”. Very much still young at heart, they are investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs and young adults.  In this episode, the Knorrs share their experience of launching and scaling Tapestry Medical Inc. They faced what seemed to be insurmountable challenges as the company grew, partially fueled by the financial crisis of 2008. Bob shares a transformational shift regarding his faith that he experienced when they were at the brink of disaster. We talk about their commitment as a team throughout this journey. I think they are an example of the best of marriage. Fasten your seatbelts. You’re in for a wild ride in this episode. Bob has over 30 years of diversified experience as a corporate executive, entrepreneur, and early-stage investor. He has founded more than 10 new business ventures in both corporate and independent settings. Tapestry Medical Inc., the topic of this conversation, was one of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies by 2008.  Currently, Bob is affiliated with three of the nation’s top schools for entrepreneurial education including: 1) Baylor University where he serves as Entrepreneur in Residence and a Board Member of Baylor Angel Network (BAN), 2) the University of Pennsylvania where he teaches a graduate-level course in entrepreneurship, and 3) Drexel University, where he has recently joined the Advisory Board at the Close School for Entrepreneurship. You can find Bob on LinkedIn under his fancy name: Robert J. Knorr, III Click here for the full transcript.       The post Bob & Rose Knorr: Bootstrapping One of the Fastest Growing Medical Device Companies appeared first on .

Doug & Cristie Martine share highlights and wisdom from dating and marriage, to Doug’s transition from climbing the corporate ladder, to starting a construction management company. 2:57 Met at Texas A&M (whoop!), dating, early marriage 10:30 Cristie’s eating disorder 17:33 Held in God’s Hand 18:51 What did the future look like regarding work or purpose? 19:41 Doug’s early goals 21:04 Cristie’s early career 22:06 And baby makes 3 23:07 Doug’s transition 24:00 Questions the status quo 27:11 Finally made the leap, and international adoption 29:16 Ups and downs, net gain 30:27 Faith journey 31:13 Diversification 31:39 Crossing the river, one stone at a time 34:49 How did the ups & downs impact your marriage? 36:15 Timing is never perfect for entrepreneurs 44:12 Most important question to ask your spouse before taking the entrepreneur leap 45:04 Is your spouse a raving fan? 46:09 Team Martine. How much do you talk about business at home? 49:08 Great marriages don’t just happen. What do you do to deepen intimacy, fun, and friendship? 51:39 Date nights 53:15 Putting each other first 56:00 Finding cracks in time to make family a priority 57:32 What do you know now in business or marriage that you wish you’d known earlier? 57:44 Perseverance–everything takes longer than you think it will 59:39 No overnight success 1:00:41 Celebrate the small things 1:02:05 Dave Ramsey, preparing for financial things unforeseen   For a complete transcript, click here. The post Doug & Cristie Martine: Constructing a Life of Partnership & Purpose appeared first on .