Small business owners are mixing business with pleasure. The survey of more than 1,100 small business owners shows one in four work with their significant other and nearly 60 percent say they would recommend it. In fact, one-third of those polled by Manta, an online small business community, say their family life and relationships have actually improved as a result of owning their business.
Unfortunately, that hasn’t extended into the bedroom. SMBs rank their sex life last in the areas of their life that have gotten better with business, saying their business and personal relationships are of higher importance.
While small business owners’ sex life may be taking a hit, their personal relationships are thriving. Sixty percent of the small business owners polled are married — nearly 10 percent higher than the national average.
Relationships are a high priority
Moreover, SMBs keep their relationships high on their list of priorities — 87 percent value their personal relationships as much or more than their business and an overwhelming majority (80 percent) rank friends and family as the most important part of their life (above their business). Coincidentally, couples who own a small business together say they argue most about work/life balance even more so than money, employee issues and hiring.
“For small business owners, relationships mean everything — it’s personal for them and that extends into the way they do business and who they bring into their business,” said Pamela Springer, CEO of Manta. ”
“Not many people have the opportunity to work with their significant other. Because I devote so much time to my business, I feel lucky that I’m able to do it with the person I love and trust the most,” said Tony Lavoie of SAMEDAY CRITICAL, a company that provides medical courier and delivery services based in Dublin, Ohio.
