Akira and I have been in business together in Seattle since 2004, and we have been together together since, um, 1995. The thing is, we just really like hanging out.
Everything started at North Carolina State University with a t-shirt design. (I had originally taken it to the Asian Students Association, where Akira, then president of what was called the International Student Committee, happened to be present). They said no. They went with a hip-hop comic idea of Asian kids drawn by a guy with long hair named Jessie.
I was devastated. But Akira said, “I like that idea. Let’s make it.”
The rest is history.
Do’s and Don’ts of making home+business work
For those of you who are new to the whole idea of starting a business with your partner/spouse, here are some do’s and don’ts I’ve learned over the years to keep everybody happy, creative and productive in the work/home/lifestyle routine.
Ready? Here we go…
- DO be patient. Accept that there will be executive decision making meetings from time to time at 11pm (or later). I know this is a difficult one. But when one person just can’t sleep because there’s something on his or her mind, it’s really hard to just go, “Let’s talk at the Monday morning meeting about this, okay?” You don’t want to lose the thread. That said—
- DO set boundaries. Sometimes we end up having meetings while brushing our teeth. I really am embarrassed about that one. But it’s true. “Wait! I have an idea!!!!” is usually what precedes, “Can I come in?” Be able and willing to say, “Can you wait until I finish flossing? Thanks a bunch.”
- DO build personal time into your schedule. This goes for pretty much any dynamic, doesn’t it? If you want to get some creative time in, you really have to block out segments of the day to get things done. Minus distractions.
- DO enjoy the time. You get to share more. It’s true. I don’t think we used to have really interesting conversations when we both had other jobs and came home to talk about who said what and what that was like. I know that’s probably useless chatter, but sometimes everybody needs to vent. Talk about things that really matter to you now that you don’t have to do that anymore.
- DO create your own office. It’s nice to make sure you have your own desks, preferably in separate rooms. With doors that close. This is because you really can’t focus on stuff unless you have the space to reflect and work out your ideas. Uninterrupted.
- DO keep separate bank accounts. Spend your money on what you want from your paycheck. And allow the other person to do the same. Just because you don’t think it’s worth spending $900 on a stroller doesn’t mean it’s not to them. Trust me, this will save countless hours of freaking out. Plus there’s a clear division between what’s a business vs. a personal purchase.
- DO pay yourselves. Paychecks are great. Who says you can’t have them when you’re self-employed?
- DO take advantage of a flex schedule. Enjoy a flexible schedule if you can. Nice weather? Take advantage of it! Terrible weather? Sort your receipts.
- DO mix it up. This is why we’ve collaborated with other people, including people who make websites, write copy, and do illustrations. It’s also why we hire interns, too.
- DON’T lose sight of the big picture. Don’t worry. You may not have a “real” office to go to, or “real” workmates to go get pints with and blow off steam. But hey, this is cool because isn’t it neat that you can do that whenever you want, and you don’t have to feel obligated to hang out with people you’d otherwise never spend time with? This is what everybody working for The Man wants to be doing. Have fun.
Any other mom and pop shops out there care to add to this? Please share your pearls of wisdom!
900 on a stroller? wtf!
It must be really fun working with your spouse!
ha ha! i love this post. the toothbrushes are the perfect symbol of the home office.
@John
It has its moments. Definitely feel like we’re winging it sometimes when it comes to setting “office” rules. Having other people around helps.
@isabelle
Aren’t they? I’m admit we had an almost-about-to-go-to-the-bathroom-and-continue-this conversation last night. I had to call it like I saw it and say, “Meeting adjourned?”
I myself love working at home with my spouse. Everybody kept telling me that it would never work and 2 years later we are still working at home together. I have got to where I don’t want to out of the house and get a job. I want to be at home working with my husband.