In this episode of The Intentional Owner, co-hosts Kaustubh Deo and Sam Rosati dive into a topic that rarely gets the spotlight in small business ownership: how running a company impacts your personal relationships, especially with spouses and children.

Through honest, personal reflections, Kaustubh and Sam explore how owning and operating a small business affects everything from daily routines and communication habits to financial risk tolerance and mental health. They discuss the early sacrifices, time constraints, and emotional toll that come with entrepreneurship—and how those pressures can ripple through a family if not managed intentionally.

They also share:

• How boundaries around time, work, and presence evolve over the ownership journey

• Ways to stay aligned with your partner through better communication and regular check-ins

• The reality of raising kids while running a business

• Lessons learned from missed moments, personal resets, and building structure at home

• Tactical advice for maintaining clarity with your spouse when navigating financial risk, investor conversations, and growth decisions

This episode is less about answers and more about starting the conversation. If you're building a business while trying to be a present partner or parent—or plan to someday—this one is full of real-world perspective and practical takeaways.

Links:

Kaustubh on Substack - https://bigdealsmallbusiness.substack.com/p/read-me-first

Sam on X - https://x.com/Sam_Rosati

Topics:

(00:00) - Intro

(00:02:00) - Weekly recap

(0:07:19) - How SMB ownership impacts spouses and children

(00:25:30) - Conversations to have with spouses as Searchers

(00:33:20) - Financial involvement from spouses

(00:33:49) - Marriage and family planning in SMB ownership

(00:44:50) - Home success assessments

(00:48:21) - Children

(00:56:28) - Tactical tip: how searchers should reach out to investors