The Five Stages of The Entrepreneurial Marriage

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Welcome! I'm Stephanie Ravenscraft and you’ve taken the first step towards understanding the unique journey of balancing marriage and entrepreneurship. My talk is packed with personal insights that will inspire and equip you to strengthen both your relationship and your business. Click the play button on the video below to watch.

I want to take you through the five stages of what I call "The Entrepreneurial Marriage" - a journey Cliff and I experienced together.

Stage 1: Shock

When I married Cliff, I thought I knew exactly what our life would look like. He'd take over his father's insurance agency, and we'd have a stable, predictable life. Boy, was I in for a surprise!

Just a year into our marriage, Cliff dropped a bombshell: he felt called to full-time ministry. I was shocked. Me? A pastor's wife? No way! I fought against it, I'll admit. I was stubborn. But eventually, I realized that being Cliff's wife was more important than his job title.

Stage 2: Acceptance

Once I accepted that my role as Cliff's wife transcended his career choice, things got easier. A pivotal moment came when our mentor pastor encouraged me to "break the mold" of what a pastor's wife was expected to be. This advice was liberating and allowed me to approach my role in a way that felt authentic to me.

Stage 3: Partnership

Cliff and I made a commitment to make every major decision together. This included the moment when I suggested that Cliff quit his job to pursue entrepreneurship full-time. We grew together, avoiding isolation in our marriage, and faced each challenge as a team.

Stage 4: Perseverance

Starting a business wasn't easy. We faced financial strain and had to make sacrifices. We gave up luxuries like satellite TV and eating out. It was tough, but we persevered.

Stage 5: Abundance

All that hard work and sacrifice paid off. We were able to achieve personal dreams like buying my dream car in cash and building our dream home. We created a home filled with our children's friends, and even saw our daughter dance at Disney and in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The journey from uncertainty to abundance was challenging, but so worth it.

Our family motto became "I don't need easy; I just need worth it." And that's exactly what our entrepreneurial journey has been - not easy, but definitely worth it.

Reflections on Our Journey

Looking back, I realize how crucial communication has been in our marriage and business partnership. We learned early on to express our needs and expectations clearly. During tough times, like in 2008 when our income was low, we focused on meeting our "musts" and made decisions together.

Our business lunches involve discussions about both work and family. We bring our concerns and ideas to the table and respect each other's feedback. While I'm naturally honest, there are times when I hesitate to share certain thoughts. But I've learned that trust and honesty are vital in any relationship.

Balancing family and business has been a learning process. We set our own schedules and prioritize important family events. Self-employment allows us the flexibility to build the life we want, even if it means making sacrifices along the way.

To those struggling in their entrepreneurial marriage, I'd say this: Marriage is about partnership and commitment. If you're thinking "what's in it for me," you've missed the point. Communicate openly, respect each other's fears and dreams, and grow together.

Seeing Cliff on stage, fulfilling his purpose, fills me with awe. I'm so proud of what he's accomplished, and I'll always support him. We're in this together, for better or for worse, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Check out our Building A Life & Business Together Podcast!

Building A Life And Business Together is a podcast dedicated to entrepreneurial couples navigating the complexities of business and marriage. Cliff and I provide a blend of personal stories, practical advice, and lessons learned from their long-term journey as a married couple working together. Whether you're the entrepreneur in the relationship or the spouse who’s feeling anxious about the financial security of your family, this podcast will guide you in getting back to "building your life together."

We focus on helping couples align on a shared vision, moving from fear and doubt about leaving the "responsible path" of a guaranteed paycheck to embracing the freedom of building a business. Each episode tackles the realities of entrepreneurship, balancing personal and professional growth, and navigating the ups and downs that come with pursuing success as a couple. Tune in for honest conversations about creating a unified vision for your life, and learn how to get on the same page with your spouse as you build both your life and business together.