His Wife Keeps Telling Him How To Run His Business. Dave Ramsey Says, 'Sounds Like She's A Handful'

A Business Built on Personal Effort

Tanner, a photographer and videographer from South Carolina, has spent the last decade building his business from scratch. His journey began long before he tied the knot, and over the years, he has successfully established a thriving enterprise. However, seven years into his marriage, he is now facing an unexpected challenge that isn't coming from competitors or market shifts, but rather from his own wife.

The Strain of Shared Decision-Making

In a recent episode of “The Ramsey Show,” co-host Ken Coleman shared a letter from Tanner that highlights the growing tension in their relationship. According to Tanner, his wife believes that since they are married, the business should be considered a joint venture. This means she feels entitled to have a say in various aspects of the business, such as job bookings, customer interactions, pricing strategies, and even the delivery of final products.

Tanner expressed his concerns, stating, "I'm glad to work with her on a number of jobs that I book, which impacts our time together. But I draw the line on how I run my business day to day. Am I wrong for wanting to run the business I built my way?"

Expert Opinions on Business Ownership

Coleman responded directly to Tanner's concerns, stating, "No, you’re not wrong." He emphasized that while his wife is entitled to her opinions, those opinions shouldn't influence how the business is run unless they were part of the original partnership.

Dave Ramsey, the host of the show, echoed this sentiment. He described the situation as one where the wife might be "a handful," suggesting that while input is valuable, it doesn't equate to operational control. Ramsey explained the concept using a classic business framework—the three-circle Venn diagram of a family business, which includes the owner, family, and team member. He clarified that while the wife is both an owner and a family member, she is not a team member, and thus shouldn't have operational authority.

The Role of Spouses in Business

Ramsey further elaborated on the importance of distinguishing between roles within a family business. He noted that spouses can and should offer input, but unless they are actively involved in the business, they shouldn't have control over day-to-day operations. To illustrate his point, Ramsey referenced his own wife, Sharon Ramsey, who offers opinions on various matters but doesn't dictate operational decisions like where to order copier paper or develop marketing strategies.

Potential Solutions and Next Steps

Coleman suggested that finding a specific area within the business where Tanner’s wife could have more input might be a solution. However, Ramsey immediately disagreed, emphasizing that unless someone is actively working in the business, they shouldn't have control over product design, pricing, customer selection, or scheduling. He referred to this as "ops control," which is typically the role of a chief operating officer, not a spouse.

Both hosts agreed that the situation might benefit from external help. Coleman proposed that a marriage therapist could be useful in addressing the underlying issues. Ramsey also stressed that this isn't a gender issue, pointing out that the roles could easily be reversed.

Final Thoughts on Business and Marriage

The key takeaway from the discussion is that while offering wisdom and counsel is essential in a strong marriage, attempting to run a business without being actively involved is not advisable. It's crucial for couples to understand and respect each other's roles, especially when it comes to business ownership and decision-making.

Additional Resources

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