Laura M González’s Post

I spoke to a founder last tonight who asked: What is more important when considering a board position – the partner that joins the board or the firm they represent? I firmly believe the partner is more important than the fund. Here's why. Think of the partner as the person you marry, while the firm is akin to Los Suegros/Os Sogros (the in-laws). Just like in marriage, your relationship with your partner is crucial. You can have a happy marriage even if you and your in-laws don't get along. But if you and your partner clash, the marriage will struggle. Here are a few reasons why the partner matters more: 1. Daily Interactions and Decisions: Your partner is involved in the day-to-day grind, making crucial decisions with you. Their insights and support will directly impact your success. 2. Trust and Alignment: Trust is the foundation of any partnership. A partner who shares your vision and values makes navigating challenges and decisions smoother. 3. Conflict Resolution: A good partner resolves conflicts constructively, fostering a collaborative environment. Poor relationships create friction and derail progress. 4. Commitment and Support: A dedicated partner will go the extra mile to support you, advocating for your vision within their firm and network. 5. Personal Chemistry: Personal chemistry matters. Working with someone you genuinely like and respect makes the journey more enjoyable and rewarding. While the firm's reputation and resources are important, the partner you work with has a more direct impact on your startup's journey. Choose wisely, as the right partner can propel your company to new heights, even if the in-laws (the firm) aren't always in perfect harmony with you. #Entrepreneurship #StartupLife #BusinessAdvice #Partnerships #BoardMembers

Business founders rarely speak about this. Struggling in your relationship with your co-founder? It’s more common than you think. According to some research, as many as 35% of funded scale-up businesses have had a founder leave within the first two years of receiving some external investment. Founder relationships can be as challenging as marriage; the stress and burden of business building is heavy. You’ll disagree on strategy, your styles might clash, and the skills the business needs from the founders changes over time. Breakups cost a lot of time and money, so do what you can to avoid them? Here’s some helpful tips.. - Talk about what would happen in a break-up early on in the relationship. - Run some psychographic tests early on to know how best to work with one another (DISC is a good tool to try out) - Write down, be honest and share your individual roles and responsibilities in more detail, and review them as the business grows. - Talk about what the journey might look like and set some expectations and hypothesis - Discuss the impact life-changes might mean for your roles and investment in the business, such as getting married, having children, having to care for others etc. - And of course, make sure that you have a shared vision and check in with this regularly What have you done to make your co-founding relationships work? I'd love to hear from you. Follow Good Growth on LinkedIn if you need help and support growing your awesome small business. #entrepreneurs #businessowner #founderslife

Thinking about starting a business? 🤔 "Many people assume you need a partner from day 1. However I'd disagree and stress that it’s really crucial to weigh the pros and cons. A partner will own a stake in your company, which can be beneficial, but it also makes decision-making far more complex. I am so lucky to have my close friend, Danielle Leeke, as my co-owner of Bash Creative. Even though she initially turned down the idea to preserve our friendship, over time, we realized how perfectly we complemented each other. I had strengths in business acumen, vision, and client connections, while Danielle brought an unmatched work ethic, a love for 80-hour weeks and operational skills I didn’t have. We supported each other as sounding boards and referred clients back and forth until it became clear we were stronger together. But here’s the thing: partnerships only work if the other person adds value you can’t achieve on your own or hire for. Otherwise, it’s better to secure a loan and hire the talent you need. In the startup phase, making decisions alone can be much easier, so be sure to evaluate whether a partnership is truly necessary. If you can pay for the expertise rather than giving away a share of your business, that might be the better route. Remember, a partnership is like a marriage ... you both need to bring something unique and valuable to the table. Choose wisely and find your own Danielle!" - Annalee Hagood-Earl, Founder and CEO of Bash Creative Inc #EntrepreneurLife #BusinessPartners #StartupJourney #EntrepreneurAdvice

For so many Maritalpreneurs, the dream of building a business together is fueled by the hope of creating both financial freedom and a stronger bond. But when business stress starts spilling over into the relationship, it can feel like the very thing meant to bring you together is driving you apart. 🥺 If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Here’s what you can do to protect both your business AND your marriage: 1️⃣ Set Business Boundaries: Decide together when “work talk” is off-limits so your relationship doesn’t get lost in the hustle. 2️⃣ Schedule Intimacy: It may not sound sexy, but prioritizing time for each other ensures your marriage remains a priority amidst the deadlines. 💑 3️⃣ Have Regular Check-Ins: Talk openly about how the business impacts each of you. When there’s space for honesty, both partners feel seen and heard. 4️⃣ Get Support: You’re balancing a lot! Working with a coach who understands both business and marriage can make a world of difference. 🌍💡 Remember, you and your partner started this journey together—keeping your connection strong is the best way to reach your goals and enjoy them once you get there. 🥂 📌We'll start taking Applications for the next MaritalPreneur Weekend Intensive Jan 2025. #MaritalpreneurWeekend, #Couplepreneurs, #Entrepreneurship, #RelationshipGoals, #BusinessRetreat, #WorkLifeBalance, #LeadershipDevelopment, #MaritalPreneur, #WeekendIntensive, #PowerCouples, #LoveAndBusiness, #EntrepreneurCouples, #BalancedLife, #BusinessAndLove, #PartnerSuccess, #CouplesRetreat, #LoveAndLeadership, #MarriageAndBusiness, #TransformYourRelationship, #StrongerTogether, #PassionAndPartnership, #marriedbusinesspartners

The Power of Partnership - Thyrocare's Unconventional Take on Marriage and Business A spouse who quits their job to join your startup? Most call it foolish. Dr. Velumani calls it his secret to success. Key Elements of Thyrocare's Partnership Narrative: 01. Dr. Velumani's wife leaving her secure bank job to join Thyrocare 02. Living in the lab premises together during early years 03. Wife's role as the 'backbone' of the business without official designation or salary 04. Shared frugality and commitment to the company's growth 05. The tragic loss of his wife just before Thyrocare's IPO Storytelling Technique: The Power Couple Principle This technique showcases how personal relationships can drive business success. It: 01. Illustrates the impact of aligned personal and professional goals 02. Demonstrates the value of unconditional support in entrepreneurship 03. Highlights the human element behind business success Business Impact: 01. Enabled complete focus on business growth 02. Fostered a culture of commitment and sacrifice 03. Created a strong foundation for the company's values Crafting Your Partnership Narrative: 01. Identify key supporters in your entrepreneurial journey 02. Highlight how personal relationships have influenced your business decisions 03. Showcase the impact of shared values on your company culture 04. Articulate the importance of support systems in entrepreneurial success How has your personal support system influenced your business journey? How can you better leverage these relationships for mutual growth? #Partnerships #BusinessGrowth #FounderStorytelling

Finding a co-founder is a lot like finding a spouse. You wouldn’t marry someone just because you went to the same school or think you’re both smart, right? Co-founding the business is very similar because of this: When things get tough (and they will). You need someone you trust and are fully aligned with. Whether it’s greed in success or struggles in failure, the relationship will be tested. You’ve got to be committed to finding solutions together, or things can fall apart—just like a bad marriage. Communication is key in every relationship. So here’s my advice: When looking for a co-founder, think long-term, just like you would when finding a life partner. Do you agree? — ♻️Repost to share with your network Follow me Tornike Asatiani for more #StartupJourney #cofounder #entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurs, are we undervaluing the secret weapon in our arsenal? I'm talking about our spouses and partners. Sarah-Gayle Galbreath MMFT, the mind behind Hope Relentless Marriage and Relationship Center, shares a vivid vision of how strong marriages ripple out to strengthen businesses and communities. My wife, Crystal, and I run Team 212 together. We attribute much of our business success to how intentionally we’ve nurtured our marriage. It's easy to get caught up in the daily grind and lose sight of your original vision. Crystal and I reconnect each week with our shared vision, which is crucial for sustained business success. The encouragement I receive from Crystal isn't just moral support; it's a strategic advantage that strengthens our entire business framework, allowing us to take risks and innovate with confidence. When you and your partner are aligned, you’re not just running a business; you’re building a legacy. This alignment magnifies your impact from the local community to global reach. Sarah-Gayle’s message about the transformative power of relationships emphasizes that just as strong partnerships at home can inspire personal growth and happiness, they also have the potential to expand outward, influencing our wider community and society as a whole. We can amplify the positive effects and drive meaningful change by aligning our personal commitments with our professional lives. Our spouses are integral co-pilots in our entrepreneurial journeys and their involvement is crucial. So, ask yourself, when did you last acknowledge your partner’s contribution to your business success? Maybe it's time to not just thank them, but to actively involve them in your growth story. How can we leverage our personal relationships to not only succeed in business but also make a positive impact on our communities? #Entrepreneurship #RelationshipGoals

When I tell people, I'm running the business together with my husband... most stare at me in disbelief. 😳 (*𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘵?*) 𝗨𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 :  ➜ how anyone could spend that much time together ➜ how we maintain any sort of work-life balance  ➜ but mainly if we’ve completely lost it Because when you run a business and it fails you lose a lot. If you run that same business with your partner you might lose everything. (𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙖𝙢𝙚) I get it. It’s pretty damn risky. But, then again... 𝗡𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 : 1️⃣ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁:  I may sound very transactional but business partnerships, just like marriage, is first an foremost a legally binding contract. You agree on shared goals, mutual obligations and put in place rules on how to manage things when they go awry. (𝘪𝘧 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵) 2️⃣ 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁:  A business is a lot like running a household. You all got skin in the game, so everyone wants to see it thrive. The only way to do that is to play as a team. It means managing challenges, finances, and decisions together. (𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘦𝘴, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦.) 3️⃣ 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲 :  If you mess it up, yes all shareholders are in hot water. You win together - you lose together. (𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯). On the upside, regardless of the outcome, at least you always have someone to share it with. So, maybe it's just me, but if business is similar to marriage... ... might as well pick someone with a track record?  😅 I’d love to hear your thoughts!  Is it super crazy or positively genius? 🤔 #business101 #entrepreneurship #partnerships #shareholderresolutions #companysetup #uae #luxembourg

🤟🏼 Entrepreneurship as a couple: an exciting and rewarding adventure! I share this entrepreneurship with my life partner. When I decided to open my own company, it was naturally that my husband suggested I join him as a partner. 🚀 Each with their own area of expertise, even if they are very closely linked. 💍 The idea of working with your partner is certainly risky. For us, it's a source of strength, support, and inspiration. Together, we've chosen to live out our passions in one flourishing business. 💪 Working as a couple requires solid communication! We learn to juggle our roles as husband/wife and business partners and make decisions together, just as we do in private. We overcome challenges side by side. 🤝 🕊 We are lucky to have the freedom to make healthy and honest choices, knowing that the partner and associate can take over! In the end, it's just a continuation of our marriage. It's like working with your better half and sometimes your other half! 💥 We're constantly challenging ourselves. We know each other's fears and doubts so that it's easy to point them out 😏 This relationship allows us to push our limits! Do you plan to go into business with your partner? 🔥 What are your challenges and successes as an entrepreneurial couple?

A remarkable thing happened when I gave myself permission to just do the thing and not try to make everything perfect. >>In founding two companies in two years. >>In parenting two young kids while trying to run a business. >>In keeping the spark in my marriage even when life gets in the way. Let go of perfect. In whatever you do. It doesn’t exist. I’m NOT saying do subpar work. Quite the opposite. I’m saying do the absolute best you can but accept that it can ALWAYS be better. And that’s the gift you get when you take messy action. It’s in the DOING where we learn and grow. The best companies in the world succeeded because an entrepreneur took a chance. And failed. And did the whole thing again anyway. Someone was willing to let go of perfect and just get into action until something clicked. My clients who have seen the biggest transformations are the ones who were willing to show up, embrace messy and just go for it. So what are YOU going to do to take messy action next week? Set your intention in the comments and let’s start a conversation to normalize messy.