Romantic relationships aren’t just for Valentine’s Day – Brits are also keen on partnering with their other halves professionally, according to new research from Three Business.
Nearly 9 in 10 Britons credit their significant other as vital to their career achievements, while 50% are open to starting a business together, confident that love and work can thrive side by side.
Additionally, almost half of Brits say they’d prefer to work in a couple – romantic or otherwise – to striking out solo (46%), as shared responsibilities (36%) and decreased pressure (23%) were highlighted as key benefits of having a business partner.
One example of a couple that have managed to marry up their business and their personal relationship is Rabbit Hole Cakes. Founded in 2020 after the couple discovered a shared love for baking, Lee and Emma have successfully managed and scaled a bakery and online delivery service.
Lee and Emma, founders of Rabbit Hole Cakes: “Our shared vision and passion for baking has always been the backbone of our business, and we think the main driver in our success has been our customers seeing the genuine love we’ve got for our work and for each other. Setting clear boundaries between our work and our marriage can be difficult, but ultimately our aligned values have always helped us navigate any trickier conversations.”
The Emotional Edge in Business
Beyond professional collaboration, emotional support was identified as a critical factor, with 43% of respondents admitting they couldn’t perform at their best without the encouragement and backing of their partner. For many, their significant other acts as a sounding board for problem-solving (31%) or as a confidant to share work frustrations (36%).
When it came to the top qualities they would look for in a business partner, emotional support also topped the list (41%), followed by communication skills (36%).
Snehal Bhudia, Director, Three Business, comments “So many of the business owners we work with are the most committed people you’ll ever meet, pouring their heart and soul into their work. It can, however, come with immense pressure and a feeling of isolation. It’s no surprise that our research shows people crave strong connections in business and that many would be open to starting a business with their life partner – sharing the highs, navigating the lows and offering unwavering support. At Three Business, we recognise the dedication it takes to build something great, and we’re just as dedicated to providing the connectivity and advice to help business owners succeed.”
Communication is key to success in business and romance
Strong communication is key to any successful business partnership. Nearly 9 in 10 say good communication is essential for business success, with in-person interactions (46%) ranked as the most effective, followed by calls (32%) and emails (24%).
Technology also plays a vital role in keeping business partners connected. 67% believe mobile connectivity helps balance work and personal life, while 46% say it reduces misunderstandings through real-time updates.
Another successful business founded and run by a couple is Choppity, a video-editing platform start-up that has recently shot to success after an appearance on Dragon’s Den. Founders Zara and Aaron met at university five years ago and bonded over a love of entrepreneurship and new technologies. After building various games, applications, and websites together, Choppity was born in 2022 – and the couple married the same year.
Zara and Aaron, founders of Choppity said: “It’s been a journey and a joy learning how to navigate a business relationship alongside our marriage. Working with your best friend can be so much fun, but it can also be difficult to switch off when you live with your business partner.
“Communication is at the heart of our entire business, whether that be face to face, over the phone, or as simple as a thumbs up text – and learning how to communicate has been integral to our business and personal relationship. Running a business is often full of ups and downs, so whilst you celebrate the successes together, you also need to support each other through the challenges.”