Starting a business with your spouse? That’s a move you don’t take lightly. You’re not only risking your livelihood but also your most important relationship. On a recent episode of Never Been Promoted, I had the pleasure of speaking with Vincent Catanzaro, who’s done exactly that. This isn’t his first run at entrepreneurship, but it’s the first time he’s partnered with his wife, Renee, and he has a lot to say about what that dynamic looks like.
Vincent’s story hit home because, honestly, running a business is tough. And doing it with someone you love is next-level challenging. It’s easy to picture the worst-case scenario: disagreements about decisions, blurring lines between work and home, and the added pressure of financial uncertainty. But Vincent’s approach is more about adapting, communicating, and finding what works for both sides.
Let’s dive into what I learned from our conversation because there are some solid takeaways for anyone looking to start a business with their partner or thinking about entrepreneurship in general.
The Secret to Making a Family Business Work: Space and Balance
Running a business with your spouse isn’t just about splitting the workload; it’s about knowing when to step back and give each other space. Vincent and Renee have been married for over 30 years, and they’ve learned a thing or two about maintaining balance in both their personal and professional lives.
One of the smartest things they did was to literally give themselves physical space to work in different areas. Vincent shared, “We work on different levels of the house. She’s got her own clients, and I’ve got mine. I handle operations, she’s all about the details.” This setup isn’t just a quirk—it’s essential to how they function as business partners. He’s the big-picture thinker, while Renee excels at the details. They recognized that blending their strengths made them more effective together.
Vincent also said, “We’ll go the whole day sometimes without seeing each other, and it’s like we’re just coworkers in the same office building.” That distance—both physical and mental—lets them maintain their own lanes, which is key to avoiding unnecessary conflict.
Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:
- Clear division of roles: Make sure each person has defined responsibilities to avoid stepping on each other’s toes.
- Create physical distance: Having your own workspaces can make a huge difference in keeping the relationship healthy.
- Know your partner’s strengths: Understand and respect what your partner brings to the table. Don’t try to force them into roles that don’t fit their skills.
Faith and Confidence: Why You Need Both to Succeed
If there’s one thing that stood out about Vincent’s entrepreneurial mindset, it’s his unwavering belief in himself, his wife, and their ability to make it work. He’s not someone who prays for success and waits for it to happen—he gets out there and grinds. He shared with me, “I don’t pray, and then business comes in. I hump it, right? But I know how to hump it.” Vincent doesn’t shy away from hard work, and his faith gives him the confidence to take risks.
But let’s be real: running a business is scary, especially when you’re starting out. Vincent opened up about some of the financial struggles they faced early on. “We turned off income and lived off equity and savings for a while. It took nine months for the first check to come in.” That’s a long time to go without income, but Vincent and Renee were committed to making it work. They trusted in their ability to succeed and leaned on their faith to push through the tough times.
For Vincent, faith isn’t just about religion. It’s about having the confidence that you’ll make it work no matter what obstacles come your way. He told me, “I know God wants me to be successful, but I also know I have to do the work. Nothing’s just handed to you.”
What I Learned from His Experience:
- Confidence is essential: If you don’t believe in your ability to succeed, no one else will either.
- Faith in your process matters: It’s not about hoping things will work out—it’s about having faith in your actions and decisions.
- Hard work and risk are part of the game: You can’t expect results without putting in the effort, even when it feels like you’re not getting anywhere.
Reflections from the Interview
After the interview, I found myself thinking about the lessons Vincent shared—not just about running a business with family, but about entrepreneurship in general. His story is one of resilience, faith, and finding a rhythm that works. It’s refreshing to hear someone speak so candidly about the challenges because, too often, people sugarcoat the entrepreneurial journey.
Here’s what really stuck with me:
Here’s What I’m Taking Away:
- Adapt to what’s working: Vincent didn’t start out planning to focus on private equity, but that’s where the demand was, so he adapted. Don’t get too fixated on your original plan.
- Entrepreneurship requires patience: Success doesn’t come overnight. It took Vincent and Renee nine months to see their first check. Be prepared for the long haul.
- Separate business from personal life: Keep work at work, even if your partner is your business partner. Establish boundaries to protect your personal relationship.
- Trust the process: Whether it’s faith in yourself, your partner, or your business model, you need something to ground you during the tough times.
- Balance risk with smart decisions: Taking risks is part of the game, but you have to be smart about it. Vincent’s story shows that calculated risks can pay off if you’re willing to put in the work.
Final Thoughts
Vincent’s episode resonated with me, not just because of the content but because of the realness of his journey. Running a business with your spouse is hard, but it’s also incredibly rewarding when done right. If you’re thinking about starting a business, especially with someone you love, take a page from Vincent’s book: plan ahead, give each other space, and don’t be afraid to take risks.
CONNECT WITH VINCENT CATANZARO:
Website (Company): https://www.reneevincent.win/