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| Newlyweds Chris and Mary Kathryn Elkins are on the run together every day. They own Run for Your Life, and they say their closeness creates good vibes in the store. |
and sales receipts
Mixing marriage vows
and business ventures
Too much
togetherness? For some people, even those totally in love with their spouses, the idea of jointly owning and running a business seems over the top. But in December 2006, SmartMoney.com reported that the National Federation of Independent Business said there were more than 1.2 million husband-and-wife work teams.
With Valentine’s Day less than two weeks away, three University City couples shared why they are glad to be partners in both marriage and business.
Love on the run
Newlyweds Mary Kathryn and Chris Elkins own Run For Your Life in the Cochrane Commons shopping center on Mallard Creek Church Road. Mary Kathryn explained that she and Chris, who married in August, will have been working together for three years in April.
Mary Kathryn and Chris had been dating for about a year when they started working together. “The way we got engaged was on a run,” Chris said. “Since we own a running store, it was very fitting that we were out for a run after work one night, and that’s when we got engaged.”
Chris said that when he bought the store from the previous owner, “it was under the assumption that I was going to bring a partner in with me to help run the business, and that was M.K.” Chris continued, “For me, it doesn’t seem like a job every day going to work when you get work with close friends or your partner, in this case, your wife. I think that’s the coolest thing about getting to work together right now.”
Mary Kathryn added, “One thing we talk a lot about is how a lot of our friends — other people we know or even us in past jobs — always have to struggle with bosses or co-workers that can sometimes make the work environment challenging or difficult. We’re really lucky that we don’t have to do that.”
She said she feels the closeness between her and Chris, as well as friendships with their employees, create a family atmosphere. “People really respond to that, even if they can’t put their finger on what it is,” she said. “It just puts off a good vibe. It’s nice we really have a harmonious workplace.
“I think a lot of couples never get to see the ‘work side’ of their spouse,” Mary Kathryn continued. “A lot of people are very different in work environments than they are at home, so it’s really neat to get to see that side of Chris, and he gets to see that side of me.”
Noting that they both are “really independent spirits,” she said, “it hasn’t been that hard for us to maintain separate identities, but I think for a lot of people it would be difficult to make sure you’re still pursing your own interests outside of work.”
The downside, she admitted, is that they talk about work a lot “because we’re both involved in it, and it’s on our minds.”
Formal side of togetherness
Dwight and Sandra Hailstock, who own The Formal Touch on University City Boulevard, have been married for nine years. Prior to buying the store, Dwight had been in the formal wear industry for about 15 years, but the business was new to Sandra.
“One of the best things is that we complement each other,” Dwight said. “It’s funny, because when we started out, our intention wasn’t to work together. We’re very fortunate that when we opened, our business started out really, really well.”
Sandra added, “Although we had only been married a year (when they bought the business), I don’t think we would probably be as close as we are, had we not worked together.”
In the beginning, she explained, they both worked with customers because she was learning. “Now, though, it has gotten to the point where I work with the brides and grooms a lot more than he does, and he tends to work more in the production and the actual processing of the tuxedos … in the retail side.”
Though it may take time to figure out, Dwight said he feels that finding your strengths and what part of the business you each do best is important.
“And if you don’t do that, then you will run into problems,” Sandra said, “because you can’t have two people really trying to control one aspect of it.”
The Hailstocks find they don’t strictly separate their work and personal lives. “It infiltrates,” Sandra said, “even if we’re out to dinner or if we’re having lunch. There are times when we try not to, but it’s a huge part of our life. We spend most every day here and most of our hours here.”
They agree that, now, when they are apart, it’s difficult. “Actually, when we’re apart, we feel separated and strange, if that makes any sense. I hear a lot of people say, ‘Oh, I couldn’t work with my spouse,’ and it wasn’t our intention. But, when we’re away from each other, it’s. …”
Dwight finished for her, saying, “It’s strange.” Laughing, Sandra added, “I know that’s probably hard for a lot of people to understand. We can’t believe it sometimes either.”
Selling couches, enjoying each other’s company
Married for 20 years, Bill and Linda Notarangelo have owned Consignment First- University on University City Boulevard for three years.
Linda said owning a business together has brought them closer. She pointed out that, with a consignment store, there’s a lot to learn about furniture and antiques, not to mention working with the public. “He teaches me, and I teach him, so we have a commonality that we didn’t have before.”
Bill said he feels it’s important to keep work and personal lives separate. “You have to be able to separate your business life from your personal life. That can be very difficult when you are running a family business and the two of you are both involved.”
Linda agreed. “I think what Bill said about learning to separate your personal life from your business life is very important, so that when you come home, that business door is closed.”
They try not to take business problems home, but Linda is in favor of sharing the good things about running your own business with your children. “Don’t let them see you constantly arguing about different things,” she said.
There is a delicate balance of trying to keep things separate, but at the same time involving the children, so they understand
the business.
“When we first opened up the business,” Bill said, “I think one of the things we both laughed about (was that) it was almost like we were starting life over again. The day we opened up the doors, I felt like I should be carrying my wife over the threshold.”
Linda added, “We did things together we hadn’t done before — lunches and going out, going to yard sales — doing all kinds of things we’d never done before with each other. It rebirthed us as
a couple.”
All three couples laugh together easily and finish each other’s sentences. The respect they have for each other is clear.
The Notarangelos say it best as they offer this advice to a young couple starting out: “Respect each other’s opinion,” said Bill.
“Right!” Linda chimed in.
“And make sure you are having fun in whatever you decide to do. …” added Bill.
“Because we really like what we do,” said Linda. “We really enjoy it …
if we did not enjoy it, we would get out. Absolutely.”