Enterprise Nation

Never before have we been quite so lovey-dovey on the site. Never before have you seen so many couples offering advice on how to start a great business and maintain a happy marriage. And who better to offer that advice than our 2009 Home Business Couple of the Year.

What is your secret to success?

This is the question we asked Gordon Maw; one half of the founding team of Maw Communications. His partner in the business? Wife, Liz. And we wanted to know their secret to success in having a successful business and marriage. 

Gordon’s first line response:

“Blimey, if we knew the answer to that one!!?" 

But thanks Gordon as you have kindly given us some hints and tips:

• We were in it together from the start – we talked through every aspect of starting a business and it was only when we were both really happy to go for it that I made the leap.  It wouldn’t have worked if we hadn’t gone through that process together.  We still talk a lot about what we want out of the business and how it fits into everything else we want to do as a family. That helps to keep the work in perspective.
• A ‘brainstorm for one’ is never very successful!  It is really hard doing anything completely on your own – you can’t have the right answer every time and you can’t possibly have considered all sides of the argument – on your own you’ve only really got one perspective, so we are far better when we work together on things and give clients a more considered answer.  I’ve found if I tell Liz about things she goes off and thinks about it while she is doing everything else and then comes back later with the answer – whereas I‘d sit and stew on it sometimes. 
• Learning to recognise each others strengths and limitations.  We have different roles that we play in work and in our home life and that seems to help us get everything done.  I think it is good to look out for each other too – Liz is far more likely to say let’s have a break and go out for lunch today or go and do something completely different.  We don’t have to sit here for eight hours a day every day but sometimes I get a bit blinkered. 
• It is important that we make time in the day to talk about what each of us has been doing – whether it is about the kids or the clients - otherwise we collapse into bed and start talking about really important stuff at 11.00 at night which is never good!

Gordon Maw, Maw Communications (pictured above with wife, Liz, on being announced 2009 Home Business Couple of the Year)