Small business owners who are crazy in love with their business partners

While Cupid polishes off his bow ahead of Valentine's Day, we meet couples in the Enterprise Nation community who have co-founded a business with their significant other.

A study conducted way back in 2017 by FreeAgent had estimated that 1.4 million couples ran businesses together in the UK – and it wouldn't be a wild assumption to predict that this figure would now be considerably higher, with millions of couples having been stuck in isolation together and hatching ideas.

While some may not have survived or may have transformed into different ventures, the founders share what they learnt along the way.

"My partner reminds me that competency doesn't just come from experience"

Elisha Cannon, the co-founder of folc, launched an English rosé beverage business with her partner Tom. Their refreshingly English-craft wine is a must for any Valentine's Day plans!

Elisha says:

"We started in April 2020 and the business has continued to grow from strength to strength. I had a problem with impostor syndrome.

"I felt like I wasn't experienced enough, qualified enough, or deserving enough to launch a business or have others see folc as a guide in the English wine movement.

"My partner Tom has continued to remind me that competency doesn't just come from knowledge, but from empathy with our customer base and trying to genuinely understand and solve a problem for them.

"A recommendation of mine to help other small business owners expand their network is – firstly, Enterprise Nation is a great platform for anyone with just a business idea to someone who has a fully scaled business.

"I would also recommend looking at relevant communities on Facebook and within Enterprise Nation Groups. Connections can also be made on Instagram.

"There is a whole host of support out there and there will always be someone who has been in your shoes before. You don't have to do it solo!"

"Turn your joint passions into a business"

Nina Allwood and Dan Martin run Bristol-based arts, culture and travel blog Lifestyle District.

Nina says:

"We love trips to the theatre and long walks in the countryside, so it seemed natural to turn those things into a blog.

"When running a business, you need to recognise your own strengths. So, with me being a photographer and Dan a journalist, bringing together our love of words and pictures is the perfect combination! Running the blog together is a lovely way to record our adventures.

"If you're a couple, we'd highly recommend looking at how you can turn your joint passions into a business."

"We have completely different brains"

Lucy Werner is an Enterprise Nation member and publicity expert.

Lucy and Hadrien used to run The Wern, a communications consultancy for start-ups, entrepreneurs and independents.

Although the doors closed in 2023, Lucy explains why they worked so well together. She says: 

"Hadrien and I have completely different brains. There were quite obvious ways we supported each other.

"As creative director, Hadrien supported me visually by bringing my words and content to life. I have a slightly more strategic brain, so I was doing slightly less sexy things like spreadsheets and forecasting.

"I also naturally, as the head of the PR side, tended to lead marketing, promotion and communications.

"My top tip for others running businesses with their significant others is to find yourself a virtual/executive assistant. It is much cheaper than the cost of relationship counselling, and it helps to have a mediator.

"So, when you are debating the size of font/colour on your brochure, someone else can come in and mop it all up within 10 seconds!"

"We launched in lockdown"

Founded by husbands Charlie and Dan Wilson-Vaughan, EXALT helps people with busy lifestyles maintain a healthy diet with its freshly made, sustainably sourced high-protein smoothies and cold-pressed juice (which are supercharged with natural supplements, no less).

Launched in August 2020 and based in east London, EXALT's products are available directly online and via Selfridges, Planet Organic and Ocado.

Charlie says:

"We spent most of early 2020 in our own sort of lockdown while setting up the business, sitting across the kitchen table from each other.

"It has brought us closer in many ways, as you are attracted to aspects of the other's personality that you wouldn't normally be privy to.

"We are both control freaks, but with very similar tastes and views. So, it has been really easy to delegate. I normally play 'good cop' and bring Dan in when we've needed to share a stern word, which has been really helpful in creating successful relationships with suppliers.

"On the occasions we do fall out, it's mostly about me being messy around the house. So, my biggest tip for business success is: hire a good cleaner!"

"Stronger together"

Last but not least, it would be amiss of us not to tap into the expertise of Enterprise Nation member Patricia Bacon.

It's often questioned whether mixing business with pleasure is a wise decision, so let's get some top tips from Patricia on how to make it work.

1. Be good planners, resilient and brave – all at once

"While you can build resilience, you will need it in bucketloads when starting out and at various growth points throughout your journey.

"This includes planning so you have enough financial runway and a very clear agreement on what your expenditure (both business and personal) will look like when you start.

"If there's no external income, it can be very stressful for a couple knowing that there is no plan B."

2. Be prepared to be "all in". After all, you are stronger together

"Couplepreneurs are inspirational in the strength that they have in running a business together.

"It is very real, open, honest, fun and genuine. And it can be all-encompassing, so the support you give to each other will be enormous.

"But beware; it's important to know that being a 'couplepreneur' is not for everyone. Often, friends and family just cannot comprehend the idea of this and won't hold back in telling you they think you're crazy doing it."

3. Be clear about your roles

"Make sure you know one another's strengths from the outset and the roles you will play in the business.

"Creating job specs and defining the roles is highly recommended. This is a new way of working for so many couples, and important to define.

"It also means it's clearly defined for new recruits as the business grows. Assessing what other skills you need to bring in as you grow is vital, and buying in that expertise in bite-size chunks can often accelerate growth."

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