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Most couples dream of working side-by-side only to end up in the middle of a nightmare. Seven rules could make a successful marriage and business venture.Many couples try to combine their private and professional lives, envisioning an idyllic scene where they would enjoy their life together even more – only to find that seeing each other 24/7 is simply too much.
However, couples who succeed in bringing their love and business relationship under one roof wouldn't want to live and work any other way.

Yet, even successful couples who are veterans at combining their professional and love lives say they follow several strict rules to keep the two aspects of their lives from interfering with one another.

Making It Work

Jan Stinson and Chris Armour of Armour & Armour, a successful advertising and publications company in Nashville, Tenn., met in 1980 when Chris started working at the Tennessean, the local daily. Jan was his boss then, and they got to know each other better while working on a big project that demanded overtime.

"We loved working together," Jan says, and she is still wistful recalling their first kiss two years after their work relationship and friendship started.

Chris believes that building a solid work relationship and friendship first, helped them transition from working together to being married and in business together.

"Being married to your husband and your best friend creates complete trust," Jan says. "We share the same values, and I know we're in it for the long haul, no matter what."

Learning to work out their business problems strengthened their marriage as well, Chris says. And being close friends, they are tuned in to each other's strengths and weaknesses.

Nonetheless, it is essential to be aware that a fight at work may be caused by a problem at home or vice versa. Thus, trust and communication are pivotal to success. Knowing that the first priority is family is essential for Jan and Chris. This way, they cry on each other's shoulders when a problem brings them down, and they can weather a financial crisis together.

While Jan and Chris absolutely love working together, they do not recommend couples who have not experienced a prior professional history to start a business together. Instead, they advise newlyweds to learn to know each other first and build a strong friendship. Only then is it feasible to take the next step and create a company.

Words to Live By

Jan and Chris also have rules for keeping both aspects of their lives running smoothly.

1. There is only one boss. Chris is the president of Armour & Armour. As the business development director, Jan says, she never had a problem with the fact that the president breaks the tie. "When it comes right down to it, you really can't make a 50-50 decision," Jan says.

2. Leave work problems at the office. This can be hard, especially when you work from home. But Jan says it is an absolute must, especially at the beginning of your business relationship. When she still was working at home, she mentally closed her office at the end of each business day. She cleared off her desk, locked away the files and closed the door while visualizing that she was leaving an office setting away from home (even though it was in fact the second bedroom in their house).

3. Keep a schedule and be disciplined with it. Sticking to certain office hours will help you separate work and private life. It will also keep you from burn out. "It helped me that we were together in this," says Chris, who, according to Jan, tends to over-extend himself at work if she doesn't keep a careful watch.

4. Drive separate cars. It's a simple rule that Jan received from a friend who also works with her husband. "She owes the peace in her marriage to driving separate cars," Jan says about her friend. Having your own car gives you the freedom to leave the office at the end of the day when you have finished your work. You won't have to wait around for your partner, which could lead to unnecessary tension. Moreover, you have time to decompress on the drive home.

5. Treat each other as business partners in the office -- especially when you have employees. It is essential that your employees see you act professionally at all times. Problems are likely to be treated in a rational way when you deal with your "business partner" and not with your lover.

6. Realize that being married doesn't necessarily mean that you have a compatible working style. Even if your working styles differ, they may be an asset to your business. What one lacks the other one picks up.

7. Keep regular project meetings. Professional business meetings keep your communication level fluent. And everyone in a successful relationship – private or professional – knows that communications is key to success. You know where the projects stand, and you face problems head on.