CoupleCo: Working With Your Spouse For Fun & Profit

Back with Drs. Richard Perry & Elaine Carlson of Southern Maine Internal Medicine. Their collaboration skills are a lesson for anyone. The business was born of a wish for better quality of life. We look at conflicting working styles, setting goals professionally vs. personally, and how to go on vacation at the same time. And, do we ever really retire? These two approach medicine holistically—but does their approach to life match up? Also...the killer advice to couples who say they want to work together.

Is this good for what ails your marriage, your business, or even your life? Dr. Elaine Carlson & Dr. Richard Perry of Southern Maine Internal Medicine in Kennebunk, Maine are our first coupleco who were married by a sex therapist. (Really.) More important: their story of leaving big city jobs and starting over with a small business in a rural setting and planning to make less money. This is a tale about quality of life, downsizing, and being true collaborators. And isn't starting over in your mid-40s scary?

Back with Dan Hitchcock & Ceci Rodriguez-Hitchcock of Miami Home Centers True Value stores. They wondered if bringing her into the business was a good idea. But it’s been great on all levels. They’ve learned how to handle issues at work and home, and how to give each other space. Dan believes he has the secret for all couples in business together. (It involves grudges.) And Ceci has learned what to do when Dan is “riding the bull,” requiring a new level of patience that doesn’t come naturally to a

Thieving employees, digital Cyrano, and a big lesson on disagreement: Dan Hitchcock and Ceci Rodriguez-Hitchcock of Miami Home Centers own four True Value hardware stores. This story has several happy accidents, including how they met. When Ceci came into Dan’s business, she was known by a sinister name. Dan sat back, waiting on an outcome, which is not how he normally operates. And Ceci learned an important lesson from Dan—which she wants to share with all couples.

Back with Jill & Spencer Wright of The Pod Mill. They developed a thriving podcast studio and network after his partner ended up in legal trouble. They don’t know if they could have done this when they were younger. Do you let challenges make you or break you? And, Jill lives with a transplanted heart, which is now part of a mission in their work. Understanding what’s important to each other is a good idea. So is knowing when to say, “That’s a bad idea.” And, a marketing insight for any CoupleCo i

A snake swallowing its own tail? Meet the first couple of Salt Lake City podcasting: Jill & Spencer Wright of The Pod Mill. They left careers in medicine for a thriving operation on the frontier of a fledgling industry. It also happened by accident when his business partner had legal trouble. After soul searching and discussion, Jill & Spencer took over the business…and most of the clients left. Nonetheless, they’re thriving, it gives them a unique joy, and a particular freedom with their special-needs

Sex & Your Business: Dr. Rachna Jain Of InLoveAndBiz.com

We return to Joseph & LeAnn Jackson of LeAnn’s cheesecakes—a baked-goods business offering a line of infused product. Joseph believes in the power CBD. Cannabinoids helped him him off prescription painkillers. These two admit running a business means the most challenging years of their relationship. They've weathered a lot of storms—which includes a literal hurricane. And after taking on a business-partner, they’ve realized they are stronger together than they are with a third person.

Their cheesecakes in a jar are taking Florida by storm, and there are plans for national domination. We have a whirlwind romance starring two controlling, passionate people who fight for what they believe. Meet Joseph & Le'Ann Jackson of Le'Ann’s cheesecakes—including CBD-infused cheesecakes. The story of why CBD makes anyone a believer in the power of the plant. But how does a packaged food business work when nobody has food industry experience?

We are back with Chris & Jim Howard of Live Life Revolution. In this episode, we examine the power of having faith in your ability to get through things. Is a serious health challenge really the basis for story? Can you really let each business experience drive the next phase of your business development? They’re candid about a selfishness that could have torn them apart, until they decided to not let it. We ask about what pitfall to avoid—and they have a list. So, are you cut out for this kind of dyna

These high-school sweethearts married young, then ran her family’s business—which was killing them. So they became pioneers, doing branding for early internet marketers. Chris & Jim Howard of Live Life Revolution have battled disease, loss, demons and failure. Chris is also happy to let Jim be out front. She’s behind the curtain, running the show. They are also proof that, when you have preparation and desire, it can pay off big.

Back with listener favorite, psychologist Dr. Rachna Jain talking about one of our favorite subjects because it is such a motivator—but not always in the right way. Hello, FEAR. For a couple in business together, fear can run amok. It can prevent you from starting a business, or from taking necessary risks. But fear is informative. What's the difference between nerves and dread? How do you deal with fear and get past it—or understand it and reach agreement? And where does improv comedy fit in all this?

Back with Scott Palermo & Jim Sanak of Harcourts Desert Homes in Palm Springs. Scott was an exceptional Realtor in Los Angeles. Jim had killer gig at IBM. Downsizing left with a great severance package—and he became Scott’s assistant. It could have been fraught with problems. But they approached it as a mentor relationship. The goal: going into business together. We discuss authentic living, being co-equals, and being in alignment with a partner. And: What do Blaine and Taylor Dayne have in common?

Palm Springs: “Like no place else.” And these two are like no one else: Jim Sanak & Scott Palermo of Harcourts Desert Homes. Scott was selling LA real estate. Jim had a corner office at IBM. In an unusual mentoring move, Jim became Scott’s assistant. But who was mentoring whom? This was a purposeful path to a business together. Some folks see a fairy tale, but it's just hard work made to look easy. There’s an big branding lesson from their $30 billion parent company. And can you benefit from the $10

We're back in Tarpon Springs, FL with Jill & Tyler Sheff. Together, they invest in real estate for themselves, for others, and they teach their secrets. They run the Cash Flow Guys podcast, and the coming Cash Flow Road Show, demonstrating how to have residual income while living in an RV. There's one business profit killer they avoid. Tyler reveals his method for getting rid of undesirable tenants. They encourage having a team—but not of hiring employees. And where does Jimmy Buffett fit in all this?