The Business of Us

In this engaging conversation, Dorcas Cheng-Tozun, an award-winning writer and expert on entrepreneurship and relationships, shares her journey as the spouse of an entrepreneur. She reveals how the challenges of startup life led to resentment and emotional distance in her marriage. Dorcas offers valuable insights on the importance of understanding an entrepreneur’s mindset, navigating jealousy, and reclaiming personal identity. She discusses the hidden costs of entrepreneurial relationships and the paradox that success doesn’t always guarantee happiness.

Entrepreneurship isn’t just a career—it’s an emotional rollercoaster. The Business of Us dives into the mental health realities of entrepreneurs, exploring how pre-existing conditions can be exacerbated and, in some cases, entirely induced by the high-stakes world of business ownership. With 38% of entrepreneurs facing at least one mental health condition, we examine the personality traits that make founders thrive—and the emotional labor that comes with it. From the isolation and sleepless nights to the drive for achievement, we’ll unpack how business owners can protect their well-being without sacrificing their ambition. Key takeaways from today's episode: Entrepreneurship demands massive emotional labor—understanding it is the first step to managing it. Mental health struggles aren’t uncommon in entrepreneurship; the highs and lows of the journey can amplify or even create them. Founders benefit from prioritizing mental well-being—sleep, social support, outdoor time, and self-care matter as much as strategy. The “Entrepreneurial Emotional Labor Union” mindset: you’re not alone, and you don’t have to carry the burden in silence. Be a realist: don’t pretend things are great when they aren’t, and remember to set goals beyond just business success. Entrepreneurship can be addictive—balance ambition with personal well-being. Always love something as much as you love your company. The Business of US is brought to you by Jamie Born and Cameron Madill. Music is provided by our friends at Marmoset, and our theme song is “Kenton” by Dr Crosby. We always love hearing from our audience what you would like to listen to next; please drop us a line at BusinessofUsPodcast@gmail.com to share what’s on your mind. Until the next time, we wish you the best of luck in making your relationship intentional and remarkable.

Rick and Emily Garner started their journey as a couple while debating the best way to turn their passion for gourmet food into a business. Rick had always dreamed of opening a restaurant, and when he launched his sandwich shop, their roles in both business and home life naturally fell into place. A year later, Emily started a catering company, and they implemented the 51/49 rule to balance decision-making. They work together all day and still like each other and want to see each other at the end of the day. Key takeaways from today's episode: Conflict is natural but must be managed carefully in front of employees to foster a culture where disagreement is productive, not personal. Differentiating between a conflict of ideas and a conflict of personalities is crucial for maintaining a healthy business relationship. Knowing when to step back and when to step in is essential for effective leadership and partnership. Creating clear boundaries and rituals —like their "high five" ritual—helps maintain a strong personal connection outside of work. The Business of US is brought to you by Jamie Born and Cameron Madill. Music is provided by our friends at Marmoset, and our theme song is “Kenton” by Dr Crosby. We always love hearing from our audience what you would like to listen to next; please drop us a line at BusinessofUsPodcast@gmail.com to share what’s on your mind. Until the next time, we wish you the best of luck in making your relationship intentional and remarkable.

Entrepreneurial success and a thriving marriage don’t have to be at odds. Kelly Clements joins The Business of Us Podcast to share how couples can bridge the ambition gap, balance Alpha and Beta energies, and apply six key principles to strengthen both their relationship and business. Discover why the best 10x strategy isn’t just in your company—it’s in your marriage. Key takeaways from today's episode: Entrepreneurial Success Starts at Home: While coaching with Strategic Coach in 2004, Kelly Clements saw a clear pattern—strong marriages correlated with business growth. The Ambition Gap: Many couples struggle when one partner pushes for growth while the other resists. Understanding this gap is key to alignment. Alpha vs. Beta Spectrum: High-driving Alphas and stability-seeking Betas must blend strengths to reach Omega—a balanced, thriving partnership. 6 Presence Principles: Play, Praise, Purpose, Provision, Protection, and Pursuit—key habits that fuel both business and love. Masculine & Feminine Energy Balance: Success comes from integrating assertive (masculine) and intuitive (feminine) energies in both relationships and work. The Best 10x Strategy: A thriving marriage is the foundation for a thriving business—invest in your relationship for the biggest returns. The Business of US is brought to you by Jamie Born and Cameron Madill. Music is provided by our friends at Marmoset, and our theme song is “Kenton” by Dr Crosby. We always love hearing from our audience what you would like to listen to next; please drop us a line at BusinessofUsPodcast@gmail.com to share what’s on your mind. Until the next time, we wish you the best of luck in making your relationship intentional and remarkable.  

In this heartfelt episode, Bobby and Andi share their journey of meeting in an unlikely place—an AA meeting—and building a relationship rooted in faith, trust, and resilience. They discuss how they embraced life’s "do-overs," turned post-traumatic challenges into growth, and took a leap of faith into entrepreneurship. Through fear, uncertainty, and unwavering trust in each other, they reveal the transformative power of patience, listening, and believing in second chances. Key takeaways from today's episode: Faith in Do-Overs: Life’s "mistakes" can be opportunities to grow and rebuild with intention. Post-Traumatic Growth: Adversity can strengthen roots and foster profound personal and relational growth. Unwavering Trust: Trusting one another creates a foundation, even when self-confidence falters. Responding to Fear with Faith: Facing fears and uncertainties with faith can lead to unexpected rewards. The Power of Listening: Listening without the urge to fix can deepen connection and understanding. Patience and Reaching Out: Taking time and seeking support are essential steps in cultivating faith and resilience. The Business of US is brought to you by Jamie Born and Cameron Madill. Music is provided by our friends at Marmoset, and our theme song is “Kenton” by Dr Crosby. We always love hearing from our audience what you would like to listen to next; please drop us a line at BusinessofUsPodcast@gmail.com to share what’s on your mind. Until the next time, we wish you the best of luck in making your relationship intentional and remarkable.

This episode explores the unique challenges women entrepreneurs face in balancing business, love, and family, featuring Lauren Reed-Williams journey from reluctant entrepreneur to financial advocate. Lauren shares insights on empowering women financially, valuing time as currency, navigating a business exit, and designing a fulfilling life with intentionality and balance. Key takeaways from today's episode: Unique Challenges for Women Entrepreneurs: Women often face societal expectations to manage childcare and emotional labor as well as to not overshadow their spouse, adding to the mental toll of balancing business, love, and family. Designing Your Life: Success requires prioritization and realistic expectations. Lauren shares her experiences growing a successful PR agency while being a mother and navigating a divorce, and some of the life trade-offs she believes are necessary to achieve a fulfilling life. Time is our Most Precious Resource: Time is Lauren’s most precious currency, reflected in her decision to take 90 days off to realign priorities and balance work with personal fulfillment. She shares her belief that we often have a financial target where we believe we will feel secure, but that when we get there it’s still not enough. Financial Empowerment for Women: Through the Wealth of a Woman (thewealthofawoman.com) project, Lauren advocates for healthier financial relationships and highlights the importance of empowering women and daughters to take control of their finances. Even some of the most successful female entrepreneurs still have financial anxieties and scarcity mindsets due to legacy societal limitations. The Business of US is brought to you by Jamie Born and Cameron Madill. Music is provided by our friends at Marmoset, and our theme song is “Kenton” by Dr Crosby. We always love hearing from our audience what you would like to listen to next; please drop us a line at BusinessofUsPodcast@gmail.com to share what’s on your mind. Until the next time, we wish you the best of luck in making your relationship intentional and remarkable.

Join us as we explore the intricate dynamics of being married to an entrepreneur. In this episode, we delve into the unique challenges and triumphs faced by a spouse. Our guest Ashley Corn, a seasoned performance coach for veterans, athletes, and entrepreneurs, shares personal insights from her own experience as well as findings from interviews with 40 entrepreneurial spouses. Key takeaways from today's episode: Ashley heard three common themes from life partners of entrepreneurs: Different Risk Profiles & Levels of Optimism: Understanding and managing differing attitudes towards risk and optimism between partners. Challenges around Stress & Control: Coping with high levels of stress due to unpredictability and lack of control over entrepreneurial ventures. Loneliness: Addressing feelings of loneliness from having a partner who works long hours and who is often distracted even when physically present. She suggested the following strategies to build a stronger relationship: Start talking early and often to build a shared vision that ensures alignment and mutual understanding as a couple. There will be personal sacrifices in any relationship, and putting one's own dreams and ambitions on hold temporarily is much easier if the end goal is shared. Realizing you are not alone in these experiences and seeking outside therapeutic guidance for support. Remembering that the things that might drive you crazy about your partner are also why you feel in love in the first place. It will be a big, full life that is never dull. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives and actionable advice for maintaining a healthy, supportive relationship while pursuing entrepreneurial success. The Business of US is brought to you by Jamie Born and Cameron Madill. Music is provided by our friends at Marmoset, and our theme song is “Kenton” by Dr Crosby. We always love hearing from our audience what you would like to listen to next; please drop us a line at BusinessofUsPodcast@gmail.com to share what’s on your mind. Until the next time, we wish you the best of luck in making your relationship intentional and remarkable.  

Join us as we dive into the ups and downs of marriage, where challenges become the gritty canvas for greatness.  Dean and Alana Stott share their journey of building a family and multiple businesses together by having fun in the mud, understanding each other’s strengths, and connecting around shared and individual goals. Key takeaways from today's episode: Relentless Resilience: Challenges are the stepping stones to greatness; embrace the dirt and grit instead of trying to become an “Instagram couple” focused on external perceptions. Unique Strengths: Recognize and celebrate individual strengths and weaknesses in partnerships. Marriage and Business Synergy: Effective communication and shared goals strengthen both personal and business relationships. Defining Wealth: Wealth is multifaceted, extending beyond financial means to include shared values and goals. Shared Mission: Learn about the Blue Rose Foundation's efforts to prevent child trafficking and heal trauma survivors. Entrepreneurial Advice: Open communication and mutual respect for shared and individual goals are key to success. Tune in to hear more about our journey and how you can apply these principles in your own life and ventures! The Business of US is brought to you by Jamie Born and Cameron Madill. Music is provided by our friends at Marmoset, and our theme song is “Kenton” by Dr Crosby. We always love hearing from our audience what you would like to listen to next; please drop us a line at BusinessofUsPodcast@gmail.com to share what’s on your mind. Until the next time, we wish you the best of luck in making your relationship intentional and remarkable.

In this episode, therapist Anita Robertson, explores the intricate dynamics of ADHD and relationships. Several years ago, Anita found herself struggling as a new mother with ADHD and, in the process of her own relationship growth and adaptation, realized that most relationship tools didn’t work for ADHD without refinement. Anita sheds light on the different ways ADHD can show up in our behavior and how to channel the unique ways ADHD can invigorate relationships, such as passion and novelty-seeking. Key takeaways from today's episode: Understanding ADHD: Recognize the variability in how ADHD presents and its influence on executive functioning and sensory experiences. Harnessing ADHD Strengths: Leverage qualities like passion and novelty-seeking to enrich relationships. Five Pillars of ADHD Relationships: Growth mindset, praise, games, and positive acceptance are essential for thriving partnerships. Effective Household Management: Transform chores into engaging games with minimal steps, using playlists and rewards. Dopamine and Brain Performance: Keep dopamine levels high to optimize focus and relationship dynamics. Relationship Bootcamps: Structured activities can help partners learn to appreciate and utilize their differences. The Business of US is brought to you by Jamie Born and Cameron Madill. Music is provided by our friends at Marmoset, and our theme song is “Kenton” by Dr Crosby. We always love hearing from our audience what you would like to listen to next; please drop us a line at BusinessofUsPodcast@gmail.com to share what’s on your mind. Until the next time, we wish you the best of luck in making your relationship intentional and remarkable.  

In this episode, we delve into the unique challenges and opportunities that arise when two married couples, Dale and Melisa, and Jake and Kendi, come together to pursue an entrepreneurial endeavor. The four individuals bring diverse backgrounds and experiences, from wealth management and healthcare to operational consulting and the automotive industry. Together, they have formed Slanted Saguaro, LLC, with the goal of acquiring and turning around struggling businesses. Key takeaways from today's episode: Aligning Business Vision and Strategies: The couples discuss the importance of building trust, open communication, and a shared understanding of their goals and objectives. They share insights on how they navigate the complexities of aligning their individual visions and strategies while maintaining the integrity of their marriages. Balancing Work and Personal Life: The hosts explore the challenges of ensuring that their marriage and personal relationships do not get lost in the hustle and bustle of their entrepreneurial venture. They share strategies for carving out dedicated time for each other, such as their weekly Monday night date night, and how they prioritize staying connected. Building Wealth and Giving Back: The couples reveal their overarching goal of not only building wealth but also investing in and empowering people and the community. They discuss their commitment to fostering meaningful relationships and their desire to have a positive impact beyond just their business endeavors. The Business of US is brought to you by Jamie Born and Cameron Madill. Music is provided by our friends at Marmoset, and our theme song is “Kenton” by Dr Crosby. We always love hearing from our audience what you would like to listen to next; please drop us a line at businessofuspodcast@gmail.com to share what’s on your mind. Until the next time, we wish you the best of luck in making your relationship intentional and remarkable.