Episode 225 - I Married My Business Partner with John and Ashely Marsh
Nov 8, 2022
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John and Ashely Marsh, co-founders of the Marsh Collective, share their experiences of operating a business as a married couple while revitalizing downtown Opelika. They discuss the blend of personal and professional challenges, emphasizing the power of faith in overcoming struggles. Their testimony highlights how reconciliation can inspire others facing hardships. The Marshes offer insights on effective communication, the importance of community impact, and embracing one's identity and purpose as faith-driven entrepreneurs.
John and Ashely Marsh illustrate the importance of aligning business decisions with shared faith and strong communication in their marriage partnership.
Their commitment to 'redemptification' emphasizes how intentional community engagement can transform local ecosystems, fostering both personal and collective flourishing.
Deep dives
The Unique Calling of Faith-Driven Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship allows individuals to create and add value in ways that no other creature can, making it a unique calling. The importance of having a solid identity rooted in faith is emphasized, particularly the need to focus on one's purpose beyond financial success. Personal experiences highlight how faith-driven entrepreneurs can face challenges that lead them into difficult situations, yet staying aligned with their purpose can bring redemption and a sense of belonging. Acknowledging that the entrepreneurial journey can be lonely, there is also a call to build community and support among fellow entrepreneurs.
Revitalizing Communities Through Entrepreneurship
The Marshes have successfully renovated over 220 buildings in Opelika, Alabama, showcasing the potential for small-town revitalization driven by entrepreneurial spirit. Their work has not only transformed physical spaces but has also inspired over 40 startups across various sectors, including construction and restaurants. By focusing on the stories behind these revitalization efforts, they illustrate how communities can flourish when local businesses thrive. The commitment to adding value rather than extracting it from communities sets their efforts apart from typical gentrification initiatives.
Navigating Challenges Together in Marriage
John and Ashley Marsh provide insights into the complexities of working together as business partners and spouses, emphasizing the importance of communication and shared vision. They highlight the value of creating structured meetings to ensure both partners can contribute ideas while respecting each other's strengths and perspectives. Acknowledging past struggles, they emphasize the need for humility and the willingness to grow through challenges, showcasing how forgiveness is essential in both business and personal relationships. Their experiences reflect that success in entrepreneurship is deeply intertwined with the health of their marriage.
The Power of Intentionality in Community Impact
The Marshes encourage entrepreneurs to embrace the concept of 'redemptification,' focusing on restoring people and communities to their intended beauty. They define community flourishing as a scenario where those with the least are able to experience the most, emphasizing intentionality in every interaction. By measuring success through the lens of love and service, the Marshes demonstrate how businesses can be a force for good, fostering community bonds rather than division. This approach encourages other entrepreneurs to seek opportunities for impact within their own neighborhoods, reinforcing the idea that even small efforts can lead to significant change.
What is it like to sleep with the accountant? When your spouse is your business partner, it’s easy for business decisions to get personal, and personal decisions to seep into the business operations. John and Ashely Marsh know the tension first hand. The husband and wife team are the co-founders of the Marsh Collective, pioneering the redemption of Opelika historic downtown. Opelika’s story, an account of beauty from brokenness, mirrors their personal story. Through the sharing and walking out of their personal testimony of reconciliation, John and Ashely have given hope to hundreds of couples facing divorce and have inspired thousands of business leaders who aspire to live out their faith through their work. On this podcast, the couple shares helpful tools and stories for entrepreneurs who are partners in business and life.
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