Beth Hankes, Founder and CEO of Earth and Salt, discusses the benefits of bringing relational skills into the business environment. They explore the challenges and lifestyle changes of being a business owner and sex educator, the impact of business ownership on personal relationships, and the importance of balancing personal and professional lives. They also discuss starting a business with a partner and invite listeners to visit the Earth and Salt website and take an open relationship quiz.
Opening a business can strain romantic relationships due to time and energy demands, highlighting the importance of self-care and prioritization.
Running a business with a focus on relational values involves creating a healthy work environment and embracing open communication and vulnerability.
Deep dives
Impact of owning a business on relationships
Owning a business can have a significant impact on relationships, as it changes the dynamic and requires intense dedication. The speaker shares their personal experience of opening a brick-and-mortar adult store and the challenges it presented. They discuss how owning a business with a partner affects the relationship and the difficulties of managing time and energy. They highlight the importance of prioritization and being clear about boundaries. The speaker also emphasizes the need for introspection and self-care to maintain a healthy balance between the business and personal life.
The struggle to maintain romantic connection
Opening a business can make it challenging to maintain a romantic connection due to the demands on time, energy, and focus. The speaker shares their struggle with exhaustion and the impact it had on intimacy and desire in their long-term romantic partnership. They discuss how the business becomes a priority and how it can feel like a third party in the relationship. The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-care and decompressing from the business to reconnect with oneself and one's partner. They highlight the need to manage energy and prioritize between the business and the romantic relationship.
Attachment styles and boundary setting
Opening a business brings attention to attachment styles and the challenges of setting boundaries. The speaker discusses their experience of navigating attachment issues with partners, staff, and collaborators in a business setting. They share how their business facilitated awareness of their own attachment style, ranging from anxious to avoidant depending on the person or situation. The speaker emphasizes the importance of working through ruptures and repairs in relationships and developing a team that values open communication and mutual growth. They highlight the positive impact of applying relationship tools and increasing self-awareness in both business and personal relationships.
Creating a relationally healthy work environment
Running a business with a focus on relational values involves creating a healthy work environment and recognizing the impact of relationships on business dynamics. The speaker discusses the importance of being fully oneself and bringing humanity into the working space. They emphasize the significance of allowing others to show up as their authentic selves and creating a space for open communication and vulnerability. The speaker acknowledges the challenges of redefining roles and embracing the role of a boss or leader while transcending traditional hierarchical structures. They highlight the value of managing attachments, setting boundaries, and fostering connection within a team.
How much more satisfying would work be if you brought more of yourself into your work relationships? Joli talks with Beth Hankes (she/her) about the benefits of bringing your relational skills into the business environment. Beth is the Founder and CEO of Earth and Salt in Burlington, VT, whose mission is to see all people free to live in their pleasure.
Join Beth's mailing list at earthandsaltshop.com, and follow on IG at @earthandsaltshop
Are you ready to open your relationship happily? Find out at www.JoliQuiz.com
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