Married to an Entrepreneur: When it Doesn't Feel Like a Fairy Tale

The following is a segment from the Season Finale of The Office:

Audience Member: "I had a question for Jim and Pam. Everyone watching sees how much you love each other and how you're soul mates. So Pam... how could you doubt that when Jim moved to Philadelphia?"

Jim {interjecting}: "Uh, you know I actually didn't handle that really very gracefully... from not communicating... to being a little selfish..."

{Pam touches Jim's arm}

Pam: "Listen. ummmm, I was scared."

"You know.  I loved what I had and I didn't want to risk it."
"And I think that maybe I did doubt him a little too... "
"Which was wrong. And he has shown me time and again."
"When the documentary started airing people on the street told me that I had this fairytale romance. But, there were a lot of times last year where it DID NOT feel like a fairy tale."

"But then. It got deeper and it got stronger."
"And now, it's better than a fairy tale."
"It's like a long book that you never want to end and you are fine with that because you just never ever want to leave it."

I've been there too. Scared. Not wanting to risk it. A little doubtful.
I've been there when it did not feel like a fairy tale.

But then... something got better.

Sometimes it was me.
Sometimes it was him.
And sometimes {gratefully} it was the company.
Sometimes it was something really big, like a new partnership for the business.
Or sometimes it was something really small, like a new friendship for me.
One time it came in the form of a big health concern.

We all have unfairy tale like chapters.
And it's hard to keep perspective when you are right in the middle of it.
But keep reading.
You've got a long book ahead of you.
And SOMETHING will get better.

P.S.) I'm back.

My Marriage. Entrepreneur Style.

Marriage is hard enough...add to the mix an out-of-the-box, creative, risk-taking entrepreneur and you are sure to begin living a life that few dare to try and so many envy.

I could probably end most of my stories with the punch line "...because I married an entrepreneur." DaDa Da. I can just hear the laughter.

Not that it's my excuse, it's just that other people who understand entrepreneurs (or share in the misunderstanding, however you like to view it) understand that statement.

While my life has been full of bold and exciting business ideas and investments, it has also lacked paychecks, insurance coverage and stability at times too. I believe that spouses of entrepreneurs play a vital role in fostering, inspiring and learning to accept the roller coaster life of entrepreneurism whether you are married to a small business owner, mompreneur or venture capitalist.

I have spent the last 6 years of my marriage in Entrepreneurism 101, which has included eight moves through three different states, give and take hundreds of thousands of dollars plus two kids. I am currently employed full-time as my husband works on the development of our newest business venture from home.
 

I haven’t always been convinced I love this life, but I do love the man who loves this life and that makes all the difference.

So here’s to our next million dollar idea, no matter how many attempts or failures, or kids for that matter, we have along the way.

Quote it.

"Although entrepreneurs provide the majority of jobs in the United States, little is known about what makes them tick." -Kaufmann, The Foundation of Entrepreneurship

Well, I'll fill you in...I'm married to one.