Should couples go into business together? It’s not exactly an age old question, but it’s definitely a new question that’s gaining in popularity. Credited as being coined by Frank and Sharon Barnett, the term ‘copreneur’ is defined as a couple, (married or unmarried) that shares ownership, commitment, and responsibility for a business. Its predecessor, the phrase “mom-and-pop store” dates back to around 1951 (www.webster.com). They were the staple of the community and even today, evoke a certain level of comfort and familiarity at their mention. Now that more and more people are taking the leap of faith into entrepreneurship (sources say at least a quarter million), they are looking to their mates as potential business partners. Sure, there are plenty of downsides to couple-owned businesses: long hours, limited personal time, fuzzy boundaries, and neglected romantic relationships, but there are many rewards as well. You are your own boss, you can to spend time with your mate you otherwise couldn’t have (thanks to Corporate America), and you can transcend into a deeper level of trust, intimacy, and dependency on each other.

We are a young unmarried couple who have decided to take that leap into copreneurship to see where the journey takes us. We don’t wish to determine immediately what the outcome is. Instead, we will share with you our day-to-day challenges, triumphs, and experiences and let you, the reader, decide. If you’re a couple who is already in the thick of couplepreneurship, considering it, or just a person curious about how two random people build their start-ups, think of us as your guinea pigs.

Our site will be more than just a blog; we want to fully engage all of our readers and fellow copreneurs. You can participate in our polls, subscribe to our newsletter, give us your feedback, advertise your business, engage in dialogue, use our resources, or volunteer to contribute and share your experiences with others. Most important, we encourage you to spread the word about Bizzyness. Thanks for stopping by. Until next time, Ciao!

-Akuba & Justin

Tags: Bizzyness, Copreneur, copreneurs, Couple Questions, couple-owned-business, couplepreneurship
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