Boardrooms and Bedrooms – The Podcast for Couples in Business

What would you give to be in a place where the only handbrake on your growth was your desire to do so?

A place where your business gives you everything you need and the only reason you are not bigger – despite a demand for what you offer – is that you don’t want to put more pressure on your family and team?

You can learn more about how to set your own business up for growth here.

That’s the situation for today’s generous, smart, opportunity-seeing high-school sweethearts, Dan and Janelle Bridges, of Wooshka Photobooths.

Eight years ago, Janelle began working as a marriage celebrant. She recognised that she would one day have children and wanted a career that was flexible around her role as a mother.  Dan was working full-time but gigging with his band at weekends.

This was OK for a while, but soon enough, Dan was aching to leave his job.  So they sat down and used Janelle’s knowledge of the wedding game to find the gap in the market.

Long story short, one very broad business turned in to one very niched business and a growth of 1100% in 2.5 years.  And they list some of their clients as Melbourne Storm, AFL, Myer and Masterchef. So good!

I loved chatting with these two, which for a short time became one, as Dan rushed out the door to pick up one of their sick little people.

It’s a conversation marked by all the things that couples in business with kids have to deal with every day… the juggle of being a parent and a business person. I could totally hear their connected spirits as they honoured each other’s strengths.

In this episode we chat about:

How the Universe is sometimes pushes an uncertain decision.

How Dan’s philosophy to ‘spend money to make money’ has been a key driver in their success.

Why business has been the best bonus to their 17-year relationship.

The WHY to their business set-up.

What they’d do differently if they were starting again.

Episode resources:

Website: https://www.wooshkaphotobooths.com.au

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wooshkaphotobooths

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wooshkaphotobooths/

 

Thank you so much for listening to this episode — we would love to read your comments below. Our goal is to share these valuable insights, information and ideas with as many couples in business as possible. If you enjoyed this episode and know someone else who might too, please share it amongst your network. You can also leave a 5-star review in iTunes, that way we can inspire more people together.

 

Would you like to be a guest on this podcast? Apply here, we’d love to know more about your story.

 

What would you give to be in a place where the only handbrake on your growth was your desire to do so?

A place where your business gives you everything you need and the only reason you are not bigger – despite a demand for what you offer ...

Welcome to another Superpower Secrets Session.

This is the time we dedicate to giving you the ‘How tos’ for the challenges and problems, as well as the winning solutions, which are triggered by our conversations with other couples.

We serve these up as short bitesize hacks that turn the conversations in to real, tangible solutions for you.

In today’s episode, I talk to Ed about how to listen to understand. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, so often no, that wrong.

Listening can be one of the hardest things to do because it’s so dependant on how we feel about ourselves, how stressed we are, and the perceived tone of the person speaking to us.

Listening can actually be a minefield for chaos but, when done well, it can be the key to strong communication and requires a few skills to make sure that’s the case.

This episode was inspired by my chat with last week’s guests Randeep and Renu Wasal, whose ability to listen to one another has been integral in building a business using two very different skill sets.

In today’s episode Ed and I chat about:

The major problems in your default listening style.

Why most of what someone is saying to you often has nothing to do with you.

How encouraging more empathy within yourself will naturally enhance your communication skills.

What an angry communication is really about.

What happens if you don’t listen to understand, as a couple and for your business.

Listening for an opportunity to solve a problem, rather than an attack.

These techniques have made a big difference to our lives and we love watching the impacts for the couples we share these skills and more with inside the PowerHouse.

Is there anything you would like us to hack? Reach out to us via email, by leaving a comment over at the Couples in Business Facebook group or on the Edward and Rebecca Plant Facebook page.

Thank you so much for listening to this episode — we would love to read your comments below. Our goal is to share these valuable insights, information and ideas with as many couples in business as possible. If you enjoyed this episode and know someone else who might too, please share it amongst your network. You can also leave a 5-star review in iTunes, that way we can inspire more people together.

 

Welcome to another Superpower Secrets Session.

This is the time we dedicate to giving you the ‘How tos’ for the challenges and problems, as well as the winning solutions, which are triggered by our conversations with other couples.

We serve these up as short bitesize hacks that turn the conversations in to real, tangible solutions for you.

In today’s episode, I talk to Ed about how to listen to understand. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, so often no, that wrong.

Listening can be one of the hardest things to do because it’s so dependant on how we feel about ourselves, how stressed we are, and the perceived tone of the person speaking to us.

Listening can actually be a minefield for chaos but, when done well, it can be the key to strong communication and requires a few skills to make sure that’s the case.

This episode was inspired by my chat with last week’s guests

Speaking with couples in business each week, there are certain factors that continually present as having the BIGGEST influence on their success.

Firstly, their dedication to each other above all else.

Secondly is their ability to communicate — specifically to listen wholeheartedly and then respond in a way that supports the advancement of the conversation.

In today’s conversation with Randeep and Renu Wasal, I learnt that even when you’ve been married a long time — these guys are about to hit 18 years! — enhancing communication still needs to be the number one focus when it comes to blending the boardroom and the bedroom.

Randeep and Renu’s product, Bsociable, really captured my imagination and our conversation gives a deep insight into their vision and the evolution of that platform over the past two years.

This softly-spoken duo showcases perfectly how two VERY different professional backgrounds and skill sets can come together to create a dynamic product.

 

In this episode we chat about:

What is Bsociable?

How technology can be used to reduce disconnection.

Randeep and Renu’s vision for their business.

Why the economy of your community can impact your health.

Challenges and changes they’ve had to contend with.

The evolution of Bsociable into a one-stop shop for organising events.

Their contrasting professional backgrounds.

How their ideas and passions came together.

How Renu applies her knowledge of nutrition to technology.

Their biggest adjustments in working together.

Randeep’s reservations about going into business with Renu.

The powerful lessons that children have taught Randeep.

Renu’s transition from motherhood back into the working world.

What they wish they’d known at the start of their working relationship.

 

Episode resources:

Website:              http://www.bsociable.com

Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/Bsociableapp/

Twitter:                https://twitter.com/bsociableapp

Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/bsociableapp/

LinkedIn:             https://www.linkedin.com/company/bsociable/

Thank you so much for listening to this episode — we would love to read your comments below. Our goal is to share these valuable insights, information and ideas with as many couples in business as possible. If you enjoyed this episode and know someone else who might too, please share it amongst your network. You can also leave a 5-star review in iTunes, that way we can inspire more people together.

Would you like to be a guest on this podcast? Apply here, we’d love to know more about your story.

Welcome to another Superpower Secrets Session.

This is the time we dedicate to giving you the ‘How tos’ for the challenges and problems, as well as the winning solutions, which are triggered by our conversations with other couples.

We serve these up as short bitesize hacks that turn the conversations in to real, tangible solutions for you.

In today’s episode, we discuss how to identify your superpowers, and the consequences — both positive and negative — of not making this a priority.

This comes off the back of my conversation with Hamish and Erika Cramer who explained how they expanded their fitness business to incorporate each of their flavours in what they do.

In this hack session we share with you:

How to identify your genius (aka your superpowers)

Why Ed initially found it hard to recognise his superpowers.

Ed names his areas of genius.

The role of intuition in finding your superpower.

Bec’s area of genius and how that complements Ed.

What happens when couples don’t each embrace their superpowers.

Why it’s often so hard to recognise your “flow state”.

How not working in your genius will hold you and your business back.

The simple exercise you can do to identify your superpowers.

The end result of doing this work for you and your business.

What to do once you’ve identified your superpowers.

Thank you so much for listening to this episode — we would love to read your comments below. Our goal is to share these valuable insights, information and ideas with as many couples in business as possible. If you enjoyed this episode and know someone else who might too, please share it amongst your network. You can also leave a 5-star review in iTunes, that way we can inspire more people together.

Would you like to be a guest on this podcast? Apply here, we’d love to know more about your story.

Welcome to another Superpower Secrets Session.

This is the time we dedicate to giving you the ‘How tos’ for the challenges and problems, as well as the winning solutions, which are triggered by our conversations with other couples.

We serve these up as short bitesize hacks that turn the conversations in to real, tangible solutions for you.

In today’s episode, we discuss how to identify your superpowers, and the consequences — both positive and negative — of not making this a priority.

This comes off the back of my conversation with Hamish and Erika Cramer who explained how they expanded their fitness business to incorporate each of their flavours in what they do.

In this hack session we share with you:

How to identify your genius (aka your superpowers)

Why Ed initially found it hard to recognise his superpowers.

Ed names his areas of genius.

The role of intuition in finding your superpower.

Bec’s area of genius and how that complements Ed.

What happens when couples don’t each embrace their superpowers.

Why it’s often so hard to recognise your “flow state”.

How not working in your genius will hold you and your business back.

The simple exercise you can do to identify your superpowers.

The end result of doing this work for you and your business.

What to do once you’ve identified your superpowers.

He’s a Sri Lankan-Aussie and she’s Puerto Rican-American. In their own words, they are complete embodiments of the Yin and Yang, due to their cultural background and upbringings.

But, when you are so grounded in embodying one ideal — either the masculine Yang or the feminine Yin — how do you manage when you both have big dreams and goals to achieve?

And, how do you do it while you have a toddler under foot and a babe still very attached?

That’s where our conversation with Melbourne-based fitness pros Hamish and Erika Cramer starts.

These guys have been in business together just 2 years, but with so many balls in the air they are learning thick and fast.

I know lots of you listening, like me, will totally hear parts of themselves in Erika and Hamish. They are the essence of what being a PowerHouse couple is all about — two people supporting each other to play to their strengths for the best results in their business and in their relationship.

In this episode we chat about:

About their business, Alterego Holistic Fitness Studio.

Why they focus on so much more than just weight loss.

What roles they each play in their business.

How a broken back led Erika into Hamish’s healing hands.

The strengths that Erika brings to the business.

How having a baby honed their niche and created a community.

Fine-tuning their target market and understanding their needs.

How do they juggle the work-family load.

Why communication, honesty and vulnerability are key.

Understanding and respecting each other’s emotional needs.

What their cultural backgrounds bring to the table.

Developing boundaries and respect for each other’s cultures.

What they know now that they wish they’d known at the start.

Episode resources:

Website: www.altego.com.au

Instagram: @alteregohfs   @iamthefitnessmonk @thequeenofconfidence

Facebook: Alterego Holistic Fitness; The Queen of Confidence

LinkedIn: Hamish Cramer;  Erika Cramer

YouTube: The Confident Mumma https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzgN7oWfbMJVj41xfJLA5Yg

Twitter: @_thefitnessmonk @erikaqoc

The Communication Framework: Listen to the training and download the free Cheat Sheet under Episode Resources.

 

Thank you so much for listening to this episode — we would love to read your comments below. Our goal is to share these valuable insights, information and ideas with as many couples in business as possible. If you enjoyed this episode and know someone else who might too, please share it amongst your network. You can also leave a 5-star review in iTunes, that way we can inspire more people together.

 

Would you like to be a guest on this podcast? Apply here, we’d love to know more about your story.

 

He’s a Sri Lankan-Aussie and she’s Puerto Rican-American. In their own words, they are complete embodiments of the Yin and Yang, due to their cultural background and upbringings.

But, when you are so grounded in embodying one ideal — either the masculine Yang or the feminine Yin — how do you manage when you both have big dreams and goals to achieve?

And, how do you do it while you have a toddler under foot and a babe still very attac...

Do you ever stop to remember what it felt like when you and your partner first got together?

When we ask couples this question, the answer usually includes feeling ‘fun and free’ or  ‘easy and relaxed’.

But what happens when the first two years of your relationship coincides with the first two years of building a business together?

Talking us through that are our first British guests, Adele Tomasin and Mark Wilkes, who also work with couples in business through their UK-based coaching service, The Missing Piece.

In today’s episode we play fly-on-the-wall as they share the challenges and triumphs of navigating new business and new love.

Jumping in the coaching corner, I share with them some of the key strategies that we use with our clients to get them working together with less friction and more ease.

In this episode we chat about:

A snapshot of the Couples in Business sector in the UK.

How The Missing Piece came to be.

The link between values, vision and culture in a business.

The mistake that led Mark and Adele to each other.

The qualities that make them work well together.

The big benefits of working with each other.

What Mark expected working with a partner to be like.

How their partnership differs from Adele’s previous business.

What it means to feel “out of resonance” with each other.

How men and women’s brains work differently.

Their personal approach to communication issues.

Why slowing the conversation down helps couples.

What their clients have taught them.

The reality of building a business in the honeymoon phase.

The serious accident that left Mark helpless.

3 simple strategies to cut conflict and build balance.

What they wish they had known at the start.

Episode resources:

Website: www.themissingpiececompany.com/couples-in-biz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coupleinbusiness/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/couplesinbusiness_mp/

Thank you so much for listening to this episode — we would love to read your comments below. Our goal is to share these valuable insights, information and ideas with as many couples in business as possible. If you enjoyed this episode and know someone else who might too, please share it amongst your network. You can also leave a 5-star review in iTunes, that way we can inspire more people together.

Would you like to be a guest on this podcast? Apply here, we’d love to know more about your story.

Do you ever stop to remember what it felt like when you and your partner first got together?

When we ask couples this question, the answer usually includes feeling ‘fun and free’ or  ‘easy and relaxed’.

But what happens when the first two years of your relationship coincides with the first two years of building a business together?

Talking us through that are our first British guests, Adele Tomasin and Mark Wilkes, who also work with couples in business through their UK-based coaching service, The Missing Piece.

In today’s episode we play fly-on-the-wall as they share the challenges and triumphs of navigating new business and new love.

Jumping in the coaching corner, I share with them some of the key strategies that we use with our clients to get them working together with less friction and more ease.

In this episode we chat about:

A snapshot of the Couples in Business sector in the UK.

How The Missing Piece came to be.

When Ed and I first started working together 10 years ago, we were living in a two-bedroom apartment which also doubled as our office.

With no set space for work, Ed used to work in the living room, the kitchen, the bedroom and anywhere in between. And it drove me insane! (He was also really messy, which didn’t help).

Due to that situation, we were compelled to create some firm boundaries on when and where business was to happen very early on in our business-life relationship.

While the need for boundaries was obvious in our situation, it’s not always clear where you, your partner and your team may benefit from boundaries.

On the podcast this week, Ed and I tackle the topic of boundaries — where you need them, how to build them and what to expect when you hold them.

In this episode we chat about:

The working habit of Ed’s that drove Bec bonkers.

How to know if you to set boundaries.

Why boundaries are necessary.

The ideal work versus non-work talk time ratio.

Stress and resentment as identifiers.

What the words “Should do” means.

The one place that work must be off-limits.

The 3 most important places to establish boundaries.

How Ed weaned himself off talking work on date nights.

What are boundaries with ‘Self’.

Boundaries around roles and responsibilities.

What happens when you don’t have boundaries.

Training your team to work within boundaries.

What to expect when you start to hold boundaries.  

The impact of boundaries on you and your business.

If you’d like to know more about anything discussed in today’s podcast, email us at [email protected] or join the conversation over at the Facebook group for Couples in Business, join here.

Thank you so much for listening to this episode — we would love to read your comments below. Our goal is to share these valuable insights, information and ideas with as many couples in business as possible. If you enjoyed this episode and know someone else who might too, please share it amongst your network. You can also leave a 5-star review in iTunes, that way we can inspire more people together.

Would you like to be a guest on this podcast? Apply here, we’d love to know more about your story.

When Ed and I first started working together 10 years ago, we were living in a two-bedroom apartment which also doubled as our office.

With no set space for work, Ed used to work in the living room, the kitchen, the bedroom and anywhere in between. And it drove me insane! (He was also really messy, which didn’t help).

Due to that situation, we were compelled to create some firm boundaries on when and where business was to happen very early on in our business-life relationship.

While the need for boundaries was obvious in our situation, it’s not always clear where you, your partner and your team may benefit from boundaries.

On the podcast this week, Ed and I tackle the topic of boundaries — where you need them, how to build them and what to expect when you hold them.

In this episode we chat about:

The working habit of Ed’s that drove Bec bonkers.

How to know if you to set boundaries.

Why boundaries are necessary.

The ideal work versus non-work talk time ratio.

Stress and resentment as identifiers.

What the words “Should do” means.

The one place that work must be off-limits.

The 3 most important places to establish boundaries.

How Ed weaned himself off talking work on date nights.

What are boundaries with ‘Self’.

When Kerry Anne Nelson arrived home from work one day to find her husband of 12 years laying face down on the kitchen floor, life as she knew it changed at that moment.

Losing her husband suddenly to a heart attack forced her to consider where her life went next and to make major decisions for herself and her children.

That journey of self-discovery inspired her to write a book, Creating Your Infinite Self, and to establish her own speaking and events venue, Our Place, in Melbourne.

But the story doesn’t end there.

The discovery of one passion led to another for Kerry Anne who, as a 17-year-old, had dated Rod Turner, then 21. Both went on to marry and have children to other people.

When depression led to the demise of Rod’s marriage, a mutual friend led the pair to reconnect via Facebook and eventually rekindle their relationship before going into business together.

In today’s episode, Kerry Anne and Rod explain how their complementary styles and skills make them ideal business-life partners and how they overcome some of the major challenges that all couples in business face.

In this episode we chat about:

Kerry’s backstory and journey as a business owner.

Rod’s background before going into business with Kerry.

The depression that led to his first marriage breaking down.

How Facebook brought them back together.

Kerry’s mission to be a “professional encourager”.

The experiences and values that inspired Our Place.

How Rod came to join the business.

Rod’s role in supporting Kerry behind the scenes.

Moving from honeymooning to business partners.

The daily challenges of running a business together.

Taking turns at throwing in the towel!

How they manage the lack of time.

The key change they made to make the business more sustainable.

How Kerry ‘gifted’ Rod three hours per week.

Using boundaries to nurture the spark in their relationship.

Why they started taking #freedomgetaways

Their no work on Sundays rule.

Tips for saving time, workflow, great communication.

The importance of Systems in their business.

Kerry’s strategy for avoiding emotional conversations at work.

How their skills and styles complement one another.

What do you know now that you wished you knew earlier.

Episode resources:

Our Place http://our-place-melbourne.business.site/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourplacemelbourne/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ourplacemelbourne/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourplacemelbourne/

Kerry Anne’s book: Creating Your Infinite Self – How to Find and Follow Your Passion

 

Thank you so much for listening to this episode — we would love to read your comments below. Our goal is to share these valuable insights, information and ideas with as many couples in business as possible.

“One father is more than 100 school masters.”

This quote by British poet George Herbert is the guiding principle behind the work of Darren and Melissa, who run Fathering Adventures together.

Darren and Melissa Lewis have been married for 25 years, are raising four sons, and have been in business together for a decade.

Fathering Adventures sets out to engage, equip and empower men to forge strong and healthy relationships with their children, and to guide their children safely and confidently into adulthood.

As today’s conversation reveals, their work goes well beyond that by showing people how to live an intentional life that matches their true priorities.

In this episode we chat about:

What is Fathering Adventures?

The childhood that motivated Darren to support other men.

The wound that disrupts 95% of adult relationships.

How a child’s relationship with their father impacts their lives.

Using experiences to enable dads to reach their children.

What about mothers and their relationships with children?

Melissa’s evolving experience as a mother of four boys.

The role of risk and adventure in parenting boys.

Playing the “cheerleader” as a wife and mother.

The importance of creating ‘intentional time’ with each child.

Why men are wired for adventure and where women/girls fit in.

How ‘adventure’ goes beyond merely being outdoors together.

What does being intentional mean?

The realisation that prompted Darren and Melissa to change their life.

The tradition they established to secure time together.

Checking that your personal priorities match how you use your time.

The true value of time and the danger of regrets.

Melissa’s message for busy Couples in Business.  

The sacrifices they made to put their family first.

Why you must ‘begin with the end in mind’

Darren’s advice for breaking the live-to-work cycle.

The tough question you must ask yourself to stay on track.

The influence of parents during a child’s formative years.

What girls and boys learn from watching their father.

The impact of “fatherlessness” on children and wives.

The rituals and initiations boys need to become men.

What couples can do to solidify their union.

The simple ritual Darren and Melissa do each day to stay connected.

Deliberately carving out time to just be with one another.

What Darren and Melissa know now they wished they knew earlier.

Episode resources:

Fathering Adventures: https://fatheringadventures.com.au/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fatheringadventures/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatheringadventures/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fathering-adventures-06393730/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/FatheringAdventures

He’ll Be OK: Growing Gorgeous Boys into Good Men, by Celia Lashlie.

Related podcast episode: The Power of Presence with Dr Dan Hanson

**

Thank you so much for listening to this episode — we would love to read your comments below. Our goal is to share these valuable insights, information and ideas with as many couples in business as possible. If you enjoyed this episode and know someone else who might too, please share it amongst your network. You can also

This week on Boardrooms and Bedrooms we deliver the first of our Superpower Secret Sessions, which delve deeper on the key issues that couples in business — that’s you — tell us you’d like to know more on.

But it’s not all just talk.

Ed is joining me for these sessions so that can we deliver real strategies and actions that you can implement in your business right away — and two heads are better than one, right?

Today’s episode covers the most common challenge raised inside the Couples in Business Facebook Group, within our PowerHouse program, and the main area of influence raised by our podcast guests so far… Communication.

When done right, communication equals connection, which opens up doors and raises your results in your relationship, with your team and with your clients.

In this episode we chat about:

Why communication matters.

What Ed tells clients over and over.

Why communication is a recurrent theme for conversations around couples.

How Ed and Bec communication differently.

3 podcast interviews that hit hard on communication.

The link between communication and connection.

How Apple communications to create connection.

What is a Communication Highway.

The workshop where couples focus solely on communication.

Knowing your own communication style and that of your partner.

The powerful morning meeting that one couple shared.

Understanding ‘style’ to improve communication.

What to do when your styles are polar opposites.

Breaking down the ‘surface’ of your communication highway.

What does ‘successful communication’ look like.

What Ed knows now about communication that he wish he knew at the start.  

What Bec wishes she knew earlier about communication.   

Episode resources:

Watch this interview on video:  https://youtu.be/7m-iQ4KbzK0

For more information about the Communication Workshop email us or book a call to get all of the details.

Thank you so much for listening to this episode — we would love to read your comments below. Our goal is to share these valuable insights, information, and ideas with as many couples in business as possible. If you enjoyed this episode and know someone else who might too, please share it amongst your network. You can also leave a 5-star review in iTunes, that way we can inspire more people together.

This week on Boardrooms and Bedrooms we deliver the first of our Superpower Secret Sessions, which delve deeper on the key issues that couples in business — that’s you — tell us you’d like to know more on.

But it’s not all just talk.

Ed is joining me for these sessions so that can we deliver real strategies and actions that you can implement in your business right away — and two heads are better than one, right?

Today’s episode covers the most common challenge raised inside the Couples in Business Facebook Group, within our PowerHouse program, and the main area of influence raised by our podcast guests so far… Communication.

When done right, communication equals connection, which opens up doors and raises your results in your relationship, with your team and with your clients.

In this episode we chat about:

Why communication matters.

What Ed tells clients over and over.