Mixing Business with Pleasure

For Tony & Julie Bombacino, mixing business with pleasure has been a part of their story from day one when the two met through working together years before diving into marriage & business ownership. However, they still say love absolutely came before work in their relationship.

Prior to starting their business, this pair both worked in the digital marketing industry for over 15 years and never imagined they would one day be running a food company. But after a life-changing experience with their own son, AJ, their dreams changed and our family is one of thousands that has been touched by the results of their journey.

Julie is now the Chief Executive Officer of Real Food Blends and when she isn’t leading the charge in the office or working to keep the trains running on time at home, she enjoys reading, sweating it out at barre class, being a Mom and testing her gardening skills.

Tony serves as the President of the company and when he isn’t helping Julie create the next phase of Real Food Blends, he loves golfing, fishing, traveling, playing around with his kids and pretending like he is the next great chef.

Together, these two have built an incredible life, family and business that now helps tens of thousands of people nationwide. Here are some of the amazing highlights and tips from our chat together: 

• Do your research and ask the hard questions when you see a problem in your own life. Your solution may just be what the industry—and other families—desperately need.
• When you’re married and running a business together, you can often turn your fear, sadness, and stress on each other, but finding a way to work through it is worth the journey.
• Don’t be afraid to reach out into your community and network to seek support and get investors. Some ideas can take off with very little capital, but others need large amounts of funding early on. Rely on “your guys.”
• As a business owner, it’s easy to get worked up over every little thing, but remember the big picture, remain calm and know every problem is solvable. Know you can survive and hold to your belief in your idea. 
• As a parent, don’t forget to see what your kids are continually teaching you. Their lessons can absolutely change the trajectory of your life and your career. 
• Having financial success in your business, doesn’t just mean more wealth for you, it opens up an incredible opportunity to give back to your people and to others.
• Take care of your people and empower them. Make work fun and meaningful. Allow your employees to be a part of the impact you are making. 
• Remember your customers. You wouldn’t be where you are without them. Never underestimate the value of their support.
• You don’t have to know everything when you’re an entrepreneur. In fact, you need to be humble enough to know you don't do everything. Do your research. Lean into your network and ask questions.
• Remember you’re on the same team. Communicate with one another and continually look into yourself when problems arise. It’s challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. 
• Be okay with having individual mentors and support groups. You’re in it together, but you can get support separately. 

It was absolutely OUR pleasure to meet this inspiring couple who has without a doubt changed our lives and the lives of so many others. We hope you enjoy this interview as much as we did! Tune in now. 

More From Our Couple

• Learn more about Tony & Julie’s business, Real Food Blends. 

Reach out!

Julie & Tony

Email: [email protected] & [email protected] | Instagram: @realfoodblends &  @julie.bombacino | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realfoodblends/  | Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealFoodBlends 

Mixing Business with Pleasure

Email: [email protected] | Instagram: @mbwp_podcast | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MBWPPodcast/ 

One last thing before you go...

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Mixing Business with Pleasure, let’s talk.

For Jennifer & Michael Gallagher, love definitely came before work. From their first magical meeting on the beach to their obvious passion for one another today, they’re definitely an inspiring, resilient couple who’s meant to be.

Michael is a Navy Veteran & Former Firefighter who followed his passion for wine to create The Mr. Wine Guy Podcast, where he interviews some of the most talented winemakers in the world and learns about their journeys.

Meanwhile, Jennifer started her career in the corporate world in sales & marketing. But in 2015, she resigned from her high-paying advertising sales job to start her first business and officially became an entrepreneur—something she always knew deep down was her calling.

After some serious financial struggles and major life pivots, Jennifer had an "aha-moment"  while on a run with Michael. From her idea, their business—His & Her Bar—was born.

Their friends often tell them that their relationship is #couplegoals, but these two claim that while they find this flattering, the truth is a strong, healthy relationship—just like a thriving business—takes work. Here are some of the tantilizing business and relationship tips they shared with us in their interview: 

• 10:05 | Corporate culture isn’t for everyone. There’s nothing wrong with you. You may be meant for entrepreneurship instead.
• 16:46 | Things happen for a reason. You have the choice whether to interpret it as good or bad for your life.
• 20:53 | Do your research, go all in and don’t leave a stone unturned. Cold call. Knock on doors. Do what you have to do—especially when you have nothing left to lose. 
• 29:00 | Sometimes you have to get away from everything and everyone else to grow stronger together. 
• 33:28 | Recognize when you need to pivot and do it right away. Don’t wait or let your ego get in the way. Pivoting is not quitting.
• 37:59 | Write down your intentions—even if you don’t fully know what they mean yet.
• 39:53 | Don’t always share your idea when it’s in the infant stages because you may or may not like people’s opinions. And a lot of the time if you get people’s opinions too early on, it can keep you from starting a business in the first place.
• 47:39 | Stay open to shifting your marketing, your messaging and your branding based on your customer feedback.
• 49:40 | Be minimal in expenses. Don’t overbuy your inventory up front.
• 54:00 | Do what feels in alignment with you. Don’t make sales from a lack or scarcity mindset. Do what excites you and what lights you up. 
• 1:03:00 | Realize your strengths and your partner’s strengths. Then, play into those and appreciate them.

Passion, pivoting, love, and resilience were simply overflowing with these two and we know you’ll adore them as much as we do. Tune in now!

More From Our Couple

• Learn more about Jennifer & Michael’s business, His & Her Bar. 
• Listen to Michael’s podcast, Mr. Wine Guy Podcast. 

Reach out!

Jennifer & Michael

Email: [email protected] & [email protected] | Instagram: @hisandherbar | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hisandherbar/ & https://www.facebook.com/themrwineguy/ | Twitter: https://twitter.com/hisandherbar 

Mixing Business with Pleasure

Email: [email protected] | Instagram: @mbwp_podcast | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MBWPPodcast/ 

One last thing before you go...

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Mixing Business with Pleasure, let’s talk.

With an MBA and numerous certifications in finance, Wendy has been getting people to their financial goals faster and easier for over a decade. As the founder of Black Star Wealth™ and the creator of the One Number Solution™, she knows the ins and outs of all personal and business financial matters. Wendy truly believes that wealth is so much more than just a dollar amount: it is about the joys you have in life and how you live day-by-day. Helping her clients find this joy keeps propelling her forward.

Her other half, Kelsey, is a “man of action” with a successful background in B2B sales. And while they are currently a dynamic duo in their business together, love definitely came before work for this pair. 

Kelsey actually joined Wendy’s company a few years in with the plan to just stay on for a year, but now—a decade later—their business partnership (and love) is still going strong. And when Wendy or the Black Star team needs something done, they go to Kesley first! 

Knowing that money does not equal math for most people - together, these two are changing the lives of their clients as they help them develop holistic plans that simplify their financial life and allow them true freedom. Their ultimate goal is to change a million lives with their business. Here are some of the highlights of our incredible conversation:

• 5:55 | As a couple, take personality assessments and get guidance on the results to help you understand each other and yourselves better in business (and in love). 
• 12:37 | Set a big, audacious, long-term goal for your company. This will help give your business a true north.
• 15:38 | Your short term savings or your emergency fund helps you break out of the anxiety of the scarcity mindset and find joy & energy in your life right now.
• 17:55 | When you start to think about your money, take the pressure off of where you have been and where you are now. Instead, accept it and take tangible steps to work towards your future wealth.
• 25:21 | Admit what you don’t know about money (or anything else) and feel safe in knowing that’s okay. The most important thing is to acknowledge where you are to yourself and each other. 
• 27:00 | Talk about money with each other regularly. The more you do it, the less anxiety you will feel around it.
• 29:50 | Be willing to compromise. Sometimes happiness looks like getting some of something as opposed to all of it.
• 32:55 | As a business owner, it’s all too easy to work all of the time, but you have to set boundaries to build the life you truly want.
• 36:00 | Establish meeting rhythms where you regularly meet with each other or certain members of your team on specific topics. Create time in those meetings to work on the business and not just in the business.
• 38:55 | Use the “24 hour rule.” If there’s an issue with someone, bring it up within 24 hours or choose to let it go, so you’re not devoting unnecessary energy to it.
• 47:20 | When starting a business with your spouse, before leaving your job, make sure your credit score is where you want it to be, Also, be really clear on your personal finances to know what you need to make in order to support the life you want. Know when enough is enough.

Honestly, the tips and advice from these two were seemingly endless and we highly recommend all couples working together—especially if you have financial questions—tune in now!

More From Our Couple

• Learn more about Wendy & Kesley’s business, Black Star Wealth.
• Get your copy of their Money Conversation Guide for Couples.
• Learn more about the community non-profits Wendy & Kesley support, QueenPins and Junior Achievement. 

Reach out!

Wendy & Kesley

Email: [email protected] & [email protected] | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackStarWealth/ | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-brookhouse-4210701/   

https://www.linkedin.com/company/406369/admin/  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelseymacaulay/  

Mixing Business with Pleasure

Email: [email protected] | Instagram: @mbwp_podcast | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MBWPPodcast/ 

One last thing before you go...

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Mixing Business with Pleasure, let’s talk.

Love definitely began the story for Dean and Diony McPherson. The two met in college when they became neighbors in student housing, but were just friends in the beginning. In fact, Diony—who’s a few years older—never really considered Dean in a romantic way until one day he stopped her dead in her tracks and the rest is history!

This pair got married young and always knew they wanted a big family, but were open to seeing where the road led as far their careers and lives went otherwise. And while entrepreneurship wasn’t where they originally envisioned themselves with Diony’s background as a museum curator and Dean’s double major in music and philosophy, they absolutely love the life and company they’ve built together.

From ancient history, philosophy and music to becoming tech industry geniuses, these two had such unique and powerful insights to share. Here are some of the highlights of our conversation together: 

• 9:33 | Having a background in something outside of your field can actually give you an extremely applicable framework and mindset to work from. Don’t discount the knowledge you have—it may be a more logical jump than you think. 
• 14:30 | Whatever your industry, but especially in tech, do your research! Always consider the user—what they need and how to best deliver it to them. Yes, you should look at competitors, but they aren’t your primary focus. 
• 15:46 | If you’re looking to bump up the SEO of your blog posts, treat them like research or formal publications. Do your homework, add in your links and you’ll stand out in searches.
• 17:20 | There’s a time and place for everything. Take strengths from you and your partners’ personalities and experiences and find where you can use them both. 
• 18:46 | Put your ego aside and don’t get too personal about the way someone is thinking. It’s just their process. You need to communicate your process to your partner, but don’t take it as a personal attack.
• 21:25 | Do a weekly team sync—even if it’s just the two of you.
• 32:07 | Consider the practical way you operate, but also what really drives your business. Get crystal clear on your definition of success because it doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s. 
• 37:15 | Recognize that work is really important, but your people are more important.
• 41:30 | Hire people who really want to be there who you can invest in—not just people who have a traditional background in your industry. Look at their personality and not only their resume.
• 44:03 | Get help! Hire a team. Hire a part-time nanny to help with your kids. There is no guilt in asking for help. You can’t do everything yourself.
• 51:37 | Argue well. Learn how you communicate and think about it intentionally. Fight for what is important and what you believe in, but always with the utmost respect for your partner in mind. 

In Mixing Business With Pleasure, the pleasure was truly all ours with this couple! We promise you’ll love our chat with this hardworking, fun and humble pair. Their advice and insight into working together and loving each other well are truly fantastic. Tune in now! 

More From Our Couple

• Learn more about Dean & Diony’s business, Paperform.

Reach out!

Dean & Diony

Email: [email protected] & [email protected] | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dionysia-mcpherson/ &  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-mcpherson/ 

Mixing Business with Pleasure

Email: [email protected] | Instagram: @mbwp_podcast | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MBWPPodcast/ 

One last thing before you go...

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Mixing Business with Pleasure, let’s talk.

Unlike the majority of our guests on the podcast so far, for Jason & Pili, business actually came before love. The two met when Pili was managing a phenomenal bar and restaurant in NYC  where she hired Jason after discovering he was not only handy with the remodeling that needed to be done, but he could also “bartend circles around her.” 

At the time they met, both Jason & Pili were both in other relationships, but it marked the beginning of a wonderful friendship and business relationship. Then, after years of working together off and on and pursuing their own lives and artistic passions, the pair finally got together and the rest is history! 

Jason & Pili actually feel that all of their time working together made their transition into co-owning a business much less stressful because they already knew how to do the business side of their relationship first.

From cross-country moves to pivoting careers to starting a thriving business (while also parenting three young kids), this pair had some unbelievably amazing advice. Here’s a taste of how they manage mixing their business with pleasure: 

• 12:26 | You have to keep moving and keep taking action even when you aren’t getting the results you want. You can’t stay stagnant. 
• 14:11 | Take things one step at a time. Don’t be paralyzed by everything you need to do at once. Have a plan and schedule, but also allow for flexibility to get in those critical tasks.
• 17:23 | When faced with conflict with your partner, consider if this issue is really going to matter to you five years from now. If not, move through your feelings, communicate and let it go. 
• 20:02 | You have to be open to the direction you’re going to go next and continue to learn from every experience, but you also have to balance that with focusing on what aligns for you and what you can be truly invested in.
• 23:01 | Growing your business bigger doesn’t necessarily make it scarier. Scaling means you can hire a team to help.
• 34:15 | Know your role and stay in your lane. If you’re parents and co-owners in your business, have an understanding of your roles in your work and your family life—not just when things are normal, but also if an emergency (like COVID) happens. 
• 40:39 | Focus on getting the best result—not on being right or making assumptions.
• 42:15 | Listen to each other and trust each other. Communicate when something is wrong. Don’t hold it in.
• 43:30 | Know you only have the power to change yourself—not your partner or your circumstances. 
• 45:15 | Schedule your time and focus on what’s in front of you. If it’s family time, go all in (no phones or technology). If it’s business time, go all in on that.
• 51:16 | You have to make the most of your time together. Make it special in that moment. If it’s important to you, you’ll make the time to connect.
• 55:40 | Give value to each other and to the world without expecting things in return.

This giving and inspiring couple was such a pleasure to talk to. We know that you’ll love every single minute of this episode and receive so much advice and Aloha from listening in! 

More From Our Couple

• Learn more about Jason & Pili’s business, Yarusi Holdings.
• Learn more about The Jason and Pili Project through their podcast and daily vlog: Second Cup of Coffee.

Reach out!

Jason & Pili

Email: [email protected] & [email protected] | YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/yarusiholdings | Instagram: @jasonyarusi & @piliyarusi

Mixing Business with Pleasure

Email: [email protected] | Instagram: @mbwp_podcast | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MBWPPodcast/ 

One last thing before you go...

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Mixing Business with Pleasure, let’s talk.

From relationship advice, business advice and parenting as entrepreneurs, have a listen to this episode to get an in-depth overview of all the episodes released in August and September, and a little tiny preview of what’s to come!

Tips for making the relationship work while building a business

2:10 | Having separate offices in the home, to make things work

6:17 | Make time for each other outside of the business

10:46 | Therapy - everybody could use some of it. It’s not just for for when you are dealing with issues.

14:08 | Communication is key

20:10 | Lean into your support network - it’s ok to ask for help

29:15 | Prioritize your mental health

Tips for running your business as a couple

33:42 | Define your individual roles very clearly, and as early on in the business as possible

43:39 | You can’t effectively scale multiple unrelated businesses at the same time

49:31 | Focus on what you are good at and hire everything else out

54:15 | Operationalize your business to be able to scale

55:30 | Do your due diligence when bringing in an external partner (aka 3rd wheel) into your business

59:56 | Be open and willing to change and pivot

1:03:30 | Lower the bar for yourself. Perfect is the enemy of the good

Benefits of entrepreneurship for parents and their children

1:07:15 | Instill appreciation for what you have

1:12:00 | Instill an entrepreneurial mindset

A few of the businesses we called out during this episode

Dude Agency - for unlimited outsourced web design and development
Closers Media - for proven and personalized sales coaching/training
UGURUS - for agency owners looking to do things bigger and better
Hook Agency - for home services and construction companies looking to drive more leads
ZenFounder - coaching by a clinical psychologist, for entrepreneurs looking to survive and thrive. 

One last thing before you go...

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Mixing Business with Pleasure, let’s talk.

For Ryan & Kim, love definitely came before work. We’ll let you tune in to find out exactly who fell in love with who first, but it’s safe to say they both feel pretty fast. This hilarious and adorable pair met in college and got married shortly after graduation. 

And while pleasure preceded business in their relationship, these two athletes have always had team-minded spirits and have actually owned multiple businesses together over the course of their long and loving marriage. In fact, one of our favorite parts of their interview was discussing everything NOT to do in business as a couple that Ryan & Kim gleaned from their first entrepreneurial venture together.

Kim & Ryan now run a tangible branding company called Anything on Anything, where they literally can print, engrave or embroider your logo onto just about anything—even a walnut. Kim is the boss and Ryan heads up sales and marketing.

Ryan is also working on a new venture—which is how we actually came to be acquainted— called QuadMeets. It’s a networking community meant to help people take their LinkedIn connections to the next level.

From love to work to starting over and standing apart in a sea of companies offering branding options to businesses, this fantastically funny and smart pair of nuts, shared some incredible advice with us during our talk together. Here’s a quick glimpse into our conversation...

• 12:35 | Understand the why for your clients or customers. Get into the details and find out what they are really looking for from your product or service.
• 17:14 | Even if your business is virtual, partner with local business associations.
• 19:50 | For business owners sending welcome packages or swag to customers, also consider the box you’re sending everything in and remember it can be customized and branded, too—which makes a huge impression!
• 21:30 | Keep networking. Continually meet more people—even virtually—who want to talk about their business and hear about yours because you never know where those connections will lead. 
• 27:30 | Recognize the expectations you are putting on your partner in marriage and in business and change the ones that are unfair.
• 33:58 | If the decision to work with your spouse feels right for you, you’ll find a way to make it work. Don’t be deterred by others saying they could never do it.
• 37:48 | Stay in your lane and let your partner excel at what they do.
• 38:34 | Intentionally make time for yourself and time to connect with each other outside of the business.
• 44:10 | Whether it’s homeschooling your kids or working with a spouse, it’s not for everyone. Go with whatever your calling is and don’t judge other people for theirs. 
• 55:17 | Your kids get the inside look at the good and bad of owning a business and it’s important to involve them and remind them why you’re doing what you’re doing.
• 1:00:30 | Team sports can teach you a lot about being an entrepreneur—you can’t be selfish, you have to show up, you have to do the work, you have to rely on others, and you have to give it your all... even when you don’t want to.
• 1:02:35 | As a business owner, you have to develop your people, care for them and coach them up.
• 1:08:46 | You can be together a lot and still give each other space and respect each other’s individual passions and time. 
• 1:10:10 | Find who you are and who you are meant to be. Then, truly be that person regardless of what others think.
• 1:11:49 | Enjoy your time together and don’t sweat the small stuff! 
• 1:16:14 | You can be committed to your business and what you’re doing now, but still be flexible enough to pivot if and when the time comes.

It was absolutely a pleasure to talk to this couple and we honestly could have continued chatting with them for hours on end. We know their faith and tangible tips will give you hope and inspiration for your life and business, too!

More From Our Couple

• Learn more about Ryan & Kim’s business, Anything on Anything.
• Learn more about Ryan’s business, QuadMeets. 

Reach out!

Ryan & Kimberly

Email: [email protected] & [email protected] | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/anything-on-anything | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anythingonanythingllc 

Mixing Business with Pleasure

Email: [email protected] | Instagram: @mbwp_podcast | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MBWPPodcast/ 

One last thing before you go...

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Mixing Business with Pleasure, let’s talk.

Brent was initially running a digital agency, but over time he and his partner ended up pivoting to teaching other agency owners how to improve their businesses, as that business was brining in more revenue and was much more scalable than the agency business. 

This pivot, mind you, happened right as Brent and Emily were getting married and going on their honeymoon - Brent’s first real vacation since he was in college.

In addition to working on Brent’s team at UGURUS, Emily is also an artist who owns a handcrafted jewelry business that she’s been taking a break from while her kids are young, but she’s planning to build back up soon.

From marriage to working together to parenting during COVID, this couple had so much fantastic advice. Here are just a few of the business and relationship tips from our chat...

• 1:19 | You have to take the opportunities when they are presented to you
• 3:12 | To know what to prioritize and when to pivot, just follow the money.
• 9:27 | If it’s hard for you to completely unplug from your business while on vacation, have a pre-scheduled agreed upon time in the day to briefly check-in and work on urgent stuff to keep your pulse on everything. Then, move on and focus on your spouse or your family.
• 19:22 | you have to support your spouse in whatever brings them fulfillment and happiness
• 24:14 | You need to have dedicated, scheduled date nights to take a break from the business and dedicate time to yourselves.
• 28:50 | Create boundaries for when you talk about business, but don’t be too rigid with those rules, so that they don’t become a source of stress.

More From Our Couple

• Learn more about Brent’s business, UGURUS.
• Listen to the Digital Agency Owner Podcast.
• Learn more about the non-profit Ethiopia Reads. 

Reach out!

Brent & Emily

Email: [email protected] & [email protected] | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ugurusweb/ | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ugurusweb/ 

Mixing Business with Pleasure

Email: [email protected] | Instagram: @mbwp_podcast | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MBWPPodcast/ 

One last thing before you go...

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Mixing Business with Pleasure, let’s talk.

For this couple, business actually came before love. At the time they met, serial entrepreneur Brent owned a digital marketing agency that serviced small businesses and nonprofits in the Denver area when he met Emily who was the marketing manager for the Colorado Ballet. She came to his company in need of a new website, but the two definitely got a much bigger return on this investment.

After a champagne toast at the website launch party that bubbled over with a confession of love, these two danced around their feelings for a bit before finally falling into a relationship that led to business collaborations, a wonderful marriage and now, two amazing children.

Since they met, they have worked together in several capacities—including working for a non-profit. 

From marriage to working together to parenting during COVID, this couple had so much fantastic advice. Here are just a few of the business and relationship tips from our chat...

• 14:28 | Pursue what you love doing. Emily pursued a career as an artist.
• 15:36 | Don’t manage your spouse if they work for the business. Create a system where they work with and report to someone else.
• 18:05 | Establish boundaries when you can talk about the business and when it’s time to put business aside. 
• 24:46 | Whether formally set up or not, your spouse is a partner in your business.
• 26:35 | Find ways not to bring the stress of work into the house and be aware when you do, so you can make shifts.
• 27:38 | It helps tremendously to have a close friend that you can confide in and look for advice from who is also an entrepreneur, but isn’t your spouse or related to your business.

Truly, these tips aren’t even the tip of the iceberg from this adorable pair. To hear more about Brent & Emily’s hilarious and sweet beginning along with their incredible advice on life, love, work and balancing it all, tune in to Episode 8 now. 

More From Our Couple

• Learn more about Brent’s business, UGURUS.
• Listen to the Digital Agency Owner Podcast.
• Learn more about the non-profit Ethiopia Reads. 

Reach out!

Brent & Emily

Email: [email protected] & [email protected] | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ugurusweb/ | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ugurusweb/ 

Mixing Business with Pleasure

Email: [email protected] | Instagram: @mbwp_podcast | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MBWPPodcast/ 

One last thing before you go...

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Mixing Business with Pleasure, let’s talk.

We had so much fun talking to Mickeli and Allison, that we completely lost track of time. So this is the second part of our conversation.

Make sure you listen to part 1 of this amazing conversation, to get the origin story of these couplepreneurs and all the lessons they learned along the way.

These two have been hard at work building new service and program offerings for Closers Media, and since this episode was recorded, Gaby and I actually became their clients (or more accurately, Proofpoint Marketing did).

These guys are rock stars at helping entrepreneurs and businesses drive revenue by learning the art of the close.

It hasn’t necessarily been a straight-line path to get here for these two, and they have gone against the grain a number of times to achieve success.

Here are a few nuggets they shared when it comes to starting and running your own business...

• 00:41 |  You need to carefully evaluate your strengths and play to those. Then bring in or partner with people who fill in the major gaps.
• 2:35 |  Conventional wisdom says that husband and wife teams shouldn’t bring on an outside partner into the business. But sometimes you need to trust your gut.
• 3:43 |  A business partnership is like a marriage to a certain extent. 
• 5:44 |  Write that ops agreement like a prenup.
• 10:05 |  Be very objective when selecting a partner - write out a job description.
• 16:24 |  Work-life balance doesn’t really exist. Being an entrepreneur means you have to be ok with a bit of imbalance
• 27:00 |  Entrepreneur parents can show their children how “people can make fire with their hands”
• 32:41 |  Your kids don’t really care about how “successful” you are. They care about how you behave, what you taught them and how you spent time with them. We sometimes put too much emphasis on business success.
• 38:57 |  Make sure you actually enjoy what you do and that you enjoy working together
• 40:30 |  Make sure that what you are doing is something you are really good at, because then it’s easy and fun. Just because you like fishing doesn't mean you sell fishing tackle successfully

To hear more amazing advice and learn about their journey as business owners, parents and people, tune into the podcast now. Trust us, you don’t want to miss this vibrant, hilarious couple! 

More From Our Couple

• Learn more about Mickeli & Allison’s business, Closers Media.
• Tune into Mickeli & Allison’s podcast, Coffee & Closers. 

Reach out!

Mickeli & Allison

Email: [email protected] & [email protected] | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClosersMediaLLC/  | Twitter: @closersmediallc   | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coffeeclosers/ 

Mixing Business with Pleasure

Email: [email protected] | Instagram: @mbwp_podcast | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MBWPPodcast/ 

One last thing before you go...

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Mixing Business with Pleasure, let’s talk.