{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Ep. 235 - Inconvenient Entrepreneurs: How Not To Start A Business with Robbie and Nicole Harper","description":"Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our (audio) book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs\u2019 guide for greater work-life balance. https:\/\/www.thetandembook.com\/ Download the 5 Daily Habits to Thrive in Tandem https:\/\/marriedentrepreneur.co\/5-daily-habits-download  Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. https:\/\/marriedentrepreneur.co\/lets-talk What happens when a career shake-up, a calling to entrepreneurship, and a surprise pregnancy all collide at once? In this episode, Robert sits down with Robbie and Nicole Harper\u2014co-founders of Blue Ridge PR\u2014to talk about what it really looks like to build a business while protecting your marriage and family. Robbie shares how leaving an unhealthy work situation became the catalyst for launching their PR firm, while Nicole reflects on the early season of keeping the \u201chome fires burning\u201d so the business could get off the ground. You\u2019ll hear how they navigated financial uncertainty, parenting stress, and the emotional ups and downs that come with entrepreneurship\u2014especially when one spouse processes internally and the other needs to talk it out. Their secret? Honest communication, giving each other space to process, and learning how to \u201ccarry the baton\u201d when the other spouse is spiraling. They even share practical tools they use in real life (including one surprising app that helps them process emotions and stay connected). The Harpers also unpack what it takes to protect your relationship long-term\u2014especially as kids grow up and empty nest seasons approach. From beach walks and \u201cbroke date nights\u201d to ice cream runs and dog walks, they remind us that connection doesn\u2019t require a big budget\u2014just intentionality. If you\u2019re a married entrepreneur trying to build something meaningful without losing each other in the process, this conversation will feel like a deep breath and a roadmap. Key Takeaways Don\u2019t let life stack up without a pause. Regularly audit what\u2019s working and what\u2019s adding unnecessary stress. Start-up seasons are intense\u2014support is everything. A spouse being genuinely \u201con board\u201d can be the difference between breaking and building. Communication is the real safety net. When money is tight or clients are slow to pay, staying connected keeps fear from taking over. Only one meltdown at a time is a win. Learn how to stabilize each other when one spouse is spiraling. Give each other space to process differently. Some need silence and a walk; others need to talk it out to find clarity. Connection doesn\u2019t need to be fancy. Ice cream runs, dog walks, beach subs\u2014small moments can be the most impactful. Protect the marriage before the empty nest arrives. Keep investing now so you don\u2019t wake up later wondering, \u201cWho are you?\u201d Intertwined lives require extra intentionality. When work, church, and family overlap, boundaries and check-ins matter even more. Bio: Robbie Harper, MBA, and Nicole Harper are the co-founders of Blue Bridge PR, a public relations firm focused on building reputation for faith-driven and values-based organizations. Robbie serves on the boards of both the U.S. Christian Chamber of Commerce and the Central Florida Christian Chamber of Commerce. Nicole is also the Children\u2019s Minister at Stetson Baptist Church. They live in DeLand, Florida, with their three children. Connect with them at https:\/\/www.bluebridgepr.com.  ","author_name":"Thriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs","author_url":"https:\/\/www.marriedentrepreneur.co","html":"