So, how do creative couples manage to work and live together in perfect harmony? We chatted to three couples behind some of your favourite TVM brands to get an insight into how they manage to combine work and life - annoying, rewarding and all!
Mr Consistent.
Names: Jarrad and Kahrissa Bell
Company: Mr.Consistent
What are your roles within the business?
Brand Director & whatever needs to be done.
Do you both work on the business full-time? If not, what else do you both do?
I (Jarrad) Run a digital agency called Soda Pop Agency and Kahrissa works full time as the head of buying for Showpo.
What would you say is the biggest challenge about working and living with your partner?
Jarrad: This is our 4th business; we've had business partners and done them by ourselves as well. It's all about trusting and being open to their thought process. We've got it down to a pretty good art, and to be honest Kahrissa probably finds it more frustrating working with me then vice versa.
Kahrissa: The most frustrating thing would be when he forgets to bring snacks, or maybe talks too loud when I'm on a work call. Actually - the most annoying thing is that he doesn't file his emails. We work really well together!
What advice would you give anyone else who may be thinking of going into business with their partner?
Jarrad: Some people work well together, some don't. You'll figure it out or you won't. But if it works, it's awesome and it can really allow for a good work life balance so why not give it a shot.
Kahrissa: If you're happy when you go to work and have time to yourself, then working with your partner probably isn't for you. We see each other all day, every day - but we tend to challenge each other, which is really beneficial for both of us!
Connect with Mr Consistent at TVM or online, here.
Olas Supply Co.
Names: Joel & Nicole Fairclough
Company: Olas Supply Co.
What are your roles within the business?
Joel focuses on packing online and wholesale orders and communicating with our design team to create new collections (the fun parts), while I focus more on emails, accounting, ordering and invoicing (the boring parts).
Do you both work on the business full-time? If not, what else do you both do?
Yes we are both full-time!
What would you say is the biggest challenge about working and living with your partner?
Nicole - not having any time away from each other, we definitely appreciated weekends together much more before working together all week. Joel will show me new designs and ask me work questions anywhere from 5am to midnight and it drives me mad because I’m someone who likes to try and switch off after 6pm.
Joel - Not being able to switch off and freeing up time for yourself.
What advice would you give anyone else who may be thinking of going into business with their partner?
Do it! While it is a challenge at times it is very rewarding watching something you have both worked so hard on together grow. The ups outweigh the downs.
Connect with Olas Supply Co at TVM, or online here.
See to Sow
Names: Brock and Taryon Agnew
Company: Seed to Sow
What are your roles within the business?
We're a bit of a yin and yang. Brock runs the hands-on side of things - he makes all of the products and visits our clients. I tend to look after the online/digital side of things, social media, emails, bookings, ordering of products etc. We both enjoy working together to create new products and concepts.
Do you both work on the business full-time? If not, what else do you both do?
Brock is a qualified horticulturalist, his work was cut back to 3 days a week with Covid shut downs so he decided to start up Seed to Sow on his days off. Tas is a full time Sales Executive at Dynasty Sport.
What would you say is the biggest challenge about working and living with your partner?
Brock - I don't really find it challenging we both just get on with the job and do what needs to be done.
Taryon - With both of us being involved the kids also get dragged into it, so it is a bit hectic at times.
What advice would you give anyone else who may be thinking of going into business with his or her partner?
Brock - Just do it, don't think too much about it. Make it fun and don't take it too seriously.
Taryon - We have our own hobbies outside of the business, which seems to be a good outlet to get a bit of space and some down time of our own. We're also both passionate about the business concept and seeing the business succeed. I think this is a big part of working well together so your decisions are made on what is best for the brand not what's best for yourself.
Connect with Seed to Sow at TVM or online, here.