Making Business Personal: Building Business Relationships That Actually Work
Obviously, everyone’s unique relationship dynamics will dictate how their business partnership works out but people are often curious about my experience working with my amazing wife and talented chef, Taryn Wa.
When you believe in someone’s talent so much that you feel the need to share their artistry with other people, it isn’t just a business opportunity — it’s a real passion project. I would say this shared belief in and commitment to Taryn’s talent has been foundational to the success of Savoury Chef.
Business partnerships (that actually work!) are hard to find. Having been through two different ones in my life, I can confidently say that it’s not all unicorns and scotch from the get go. In fact, my first attempt at building a partnership for a past business, before starting Savoury Chef, was a failure.
It was a technology project. We were both full of ideas and creative vision.What we both didn’t consider was that our talents actually overlapped too much. So while both of us were experts in our respective fields, we were then both right and both wrong a lot of the time.
In my experience, a company needs a YING and YANG. That’s what I feel Taryn and I have been able to bring to Savoury Chef. Although my interest in cooking is very high, my real interest is the satisfaction and interaction others have with our business, and the business efficiencies we can implement. I’m a real puzzle freak. I like to read the feedback, watch the team grow with each other, and see how it all plays out. The key here is that both Taryn and I may have different interests, in the end we want each other to succeed in our own way, and our collective goal of building a great business together with the team is the same.
Even if the person you’re building a life and business with is your best friend and you already spend lots of time together, it’s important to be realistic and really know yourself: What are your strengths? What skills are you contributing? What skills do you lack? Do your strengths compliment your partners or are there areas where they clash or overlap?
And maybe most importantly, be honest with yourself: Are either of you trying to mold or change your partner to become something they’re not?
Don’t kid yourself!
Profits are not a passion, they’re a product and bonus of doing things right, and feeling good about your personal contributions. Even if (or especially if) your business centres around your partner’s talent, it’s not a true partnership if you’re not accomplishing your own goals and satisfying your own interests/creativity too.
In order to make things work, you need to be honest with each other and yourself, and understand that it’s a balance of skills, dedication and hard work not a competition.
In fact, this extends beyond your approach to your personal relationship or immediate business partner. Those you bring on as part of your core team need to feel that sense of contribution and genuine collaboration.
Ultimately, you’re trying to build something together and sharing in the journey of creating this life. I emphasize ‘life’ because, although your roles may differ, the combined effort or successes you do achieve will ultimately impact all aspects of your “life”.
It’s never JUST business.
If you have any questions, or want to dive deeper in this subject, feel free to leave a comment below or send me a private message.
Points to consider before starting a business with your friend or spouse:
- Know what you are signing up for. Your business idea may have started as a casual conversation topic or napkin idea passed between the two of you but, ultimately, this is a LIFE changing path that you’re pursuing. And one that will affect not only your work/life balance, but your existing relationship as well.
- Know that 12–24 hours a day together will be the norm. Be realistic about your personality type and personal goals. Is this not just something you can handle but something you can enjoy? Do you have enough individual time outside of work to balance your personal growth and ambition.
- Know who are you doing this for? Are you doing this for each other, or is one person gaining much more than the other in the pursuit. Know what boundaries you are about to cross, creatively, and emotionally.
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Kyle Nordman is the Principal and Co-Founder of Savoury Chef Foods and the Online Pastry Training Centre. A member of the Vancouver EO Network and Former Membership Chair for The Chefs Table Society of BC, Kyle is a firm believer in using technology as a tool for creative success and has a deep passion for sharing his expertise with others. Learn more or get in touch with Kyle atwww.savourychef.com.
Yoghurt Parfait — More gallery images.
