This guest is EXTREMELY special…my HUSBAND, Brad Michael!
This is a super fun episode! Brad and I are going to chat about how we met nine years ago! (WOW. I can’t believe it’s been that long!) Being in a relationship is hard…much less being in a relationship made up of two hard working (and sometimes stubborn) entrepreneurs!) We are also going to be sharing the ups and downs of our relationships as well as how we manage our professional careers.
Brad was a huge part of why I not only started this podcast…but also how it runs! He’s the editor and audio producer; I definitely could not do it without him! Brad is also a second shooter for my photography business and an entrepreneur (architectural designer) as well! We go into detail about our life working at home and the challenges we have had to overcome with that! We have made PLENTY of mistakes to share on this Mistakes Make Magic Episode and we are happy to open up this conversation to you! Enjoy!
WHAT YOU WILL HEAR IN THIS PODCAST:
- How did we meet?
- What does transition look like from architecture school to entrepreneurship?
- What is the daily routine of a couple that both works from home?
- What do we manage being married as entrepreneurs?
- What are some of the mistakes we have made as a couple?
- What advice would we give to other couples on their own journey?
Our Journey to Today:
Relationships are hard. When you put work, family and all the stresses of every day life on top of that…it gets even harder. But somewhere along the way we realized that if we wanted to be together we had to make our relationship the top priorities in our lives. I began to put work in a place that allowed time for us as a couple. Brad began to prioritize his time and his hobbies so that we could spend time with each other.
In this episode, we are sharing a bit about why and how we shoot together for some of the weddings I book. If you do have a spouse or significant other who is interested in working with you, go for it! But also realize that if they don’t want to or can’t work with you, that’s ok too. It took us years to finally decide the timing was right for us. And remember, nothing happens over night!
WORKING FROM HOME:
Because Brad and I are both entrepreneurs … we have made the decision to work from home. We tried the office life but opted instead to convert our two extra bedrooms into offices. Some days we leave our doors open and bounce ideas off of each other. Other days, we zone into our individual work. If you are a couple that works from home or are considering doing so…I would definitely consider separate spaces. We have actually shared a space in the past and being able to simply close to door to concentrate or place music/podcasts in the background really allows me to zone into what I’m doing and Brad feels the same!
Figuring out the work/life balance from home was tough at first. But we have learned to set boundaries of when to focus on work and when to focus on spending quality time together. If anything, THIS has made a HUGE difference in our relationship. We have even started sharing a calendar! From little events like staining the fence on Sunday to shooting a wedding in New Orleans, everything is recorded so that we are always on the same page!
Running two businesses and being married comes with plenty of challenges, so finding balance is necessary. We have learned to forgive ourselves and each other..and just grow as we go! Also, if you can do it: Try to set aside one day a week to just be together (Our day is Sunday and we really try to protect that day!)
NON-TRADITIONAL ROLES:
Some would say our relationship is non-traditional in a financial sense. Although this could always change in the future, my business is the primary financial provider for our family. We realize this and are proud to do this entrepreneurial life together by figuring out what works for us. For the past several years, I have been the primary breadwinner in our household. And the reason we have chosen to share this fact is because we want others to know that it is ok to choose a path that is not “traditional” if that is what you feel is best for you as a couple!
Brad and I see our relationship as a team, both having different roles on that team. I am the accountant and the numbers behind the business. Brad is the positive/calm thinker as well as the doer and builder! The physical strength of what he can handle has allowed us to literally build the home and lifestyle that we want together! <3
Being able to acknowledge our individual strengths and weaknesses has really helped us grow tremendously. It is difficult to acknowledge your weaknesses, but when you finally realized it is not a competition, your relationship flourished!
WORDS OF ADVISE:
Look. We are no experts. We joke that we have been married “At Least 100 Days” but after 9 years together…we are definitely taking things one day at a time. What we can say is this: Go after what you want in life…specifically WHO you want. Find the person that pushes you and makes you a better person! From there, just know that you are on the SAME TEAM and practice that. If one person is having a bad day, step up and be there for them. Do your part, communicate and forgive one another. Life is not easy and you are going to go through some tough times together. But the last word is the key word: TOGETHER. The person you have chosen to spend your life with is your other/better half. Treat them that way and let them know how much you love them every chance you get. <3
With that being said: Thank you Brad, for being my teammate and walking through this crazy life together with me. I love you.
LINKS REFERENCED:
Joe Rogan
Hardcore History
Common Sense
Star Talk
99% invisible
SPONSORS:
Showit – User-Friendly Web Design Platform: Use code MAGIC for 10% off your subscription!
Black River Imaging – High Quality Online Print Site: Use code MAGIC for 20% off your order!
If you enjoy the content that we are putting out here at Mistakes Make Magic, please take just a few minutes to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and leave a review! We appreciate and value you!!
