Talking to your spouse or partner about wanting to grow a business can be one of the most stressful things many photographers face, especially because it means investing both time and money. I know that many photographers have tried having these conversations before and they didn’t go well, so they just decided it’s easier to suffer in silence while watching others build their dream businesses. I’m going to give you eight concrete steps and an invaluable cheat sheet of how to talk to your spouse about investing in your business. Growing up, my dad always owned a small business, so I grew up understanding that a new business is so much like a baby. Just getting it into the world isn’t the end of the race. That baby needs love, nurture, and a commitment to its long-term success. For some reason our spouses, partners, and sometimes even ourselves can have the unrealistic expectation that we should be further along on our success journey in business. The thing they don’t realize is the potential that you have in a photography business, especially when you have a mentor and a proven system for you to be able to add so much more extra money into your life whenever you want. First we make that commitment of time and money for our baby. We’re going to have to feed it, rock it, and do all the things that we have to do with a baby that we don’t have to do with an older child. Same thing with your business. How do you have that conversation with your spouse or partner, especially if you’ve tried before and you were shut down? You have the skills already in you to do this. You’ve just never been taught how to have this conversation.
- Before the conversation
Before the conversation, remind yourself that you are in control of everything in your life, and you get to say yes or no to the things that happen. Do you want to get your person’s buy-in and their support? A hundred percent. However, so many are guilted or shamed into letting their dream go. You have to understand where your person’s coming from. Your person is trying to protect you, not hold you down. If you approach this conversation in a calm and confident manner following these steps, you’re going to have a really good outcome.
- Set up a time to talk
I want you to set up a time that works both for you and your partner with no distractions. I want you to show up to this talk with confidence and bring your notes if you need them. No more negotiation tactics. You’re coming like an adult to have a professional conversation.
- It’s okay to acknowledge past failures
When you’re sitting talking, it’s okay to acknowledge past failures, and how what you did didn’t work, and why what you’re wanting to do will work. When we make a decision that doesn’t go our way, you learn from it. Having the regret of making that mistake twice and letting that first mistake keep you from moving forward with your business, which I think is an even bigger mistake. You’re letting them know that you failed before, but you were just out there desperately clinging to something without having all the right puzzle pieces.
- Talk with them about what you would like to invest in
It’s going to take time and money. Explain who it is you are wanting to be your mentor and how they are creditable. You have to explain how you found the person who’s succeeding at running a profitable business and how they are still putting their family first.
- Remind them of investments that you’ve both made in past education
Maybe you guys have gone to college, knowing that it’s going to make a long-term impact on your lives. There is value in education. This isn’t about photography and just doing something fun. It’s about your future.
- Share your clarity, commitment and plan
Be confident in your speech and your actions, so that you show them that you’re committed. Show them how much you have thought about this and how you want to make it a priority. Maybe you’re willing to give up something that you’re spending your time on that’s taking away from the family. Same with the money. Ask for their support, not their permission. Make two categories here. Money, how are you going to pay for it? Then show them the time commitment and how you’re going to make room for this to fit in. You give them the plan and you say, “I really want to do this and I would like your support.” And then you close your mouth.
- Explain front pocket, back pocket
If you haven’t listened to podcast #7 go back and review that one. You’re making a commitment to yourself and to your business, to help you overcome self-doubt and deal with the head trash. It’s not about the tactics and the strategies. It’s about the support that you need to constantly be shoving down the self-doubt, sabotage, and procrastination. This will help you show up as a happier and more positive partner, because you are being supported.
- Overcome objections
I know you’re saying, “But Sarah, what if he gets angry in the middle? Or what if something goes wrong?” Don’t be afraid of the questions. And if it blows up and you can’t finish the conversation, let it die down and give some space. They might have questions. They may not see your vision of being a successful photographer yet. All they see is the price and the time investment that you want to make. So when you share your convictions and you answer the questions, again, like a great, strong, confident person that you are, it will help you tremendously. Friend, you can do this. You can be a professional, amazing business person, but it starts here. I am cheering for you.
Download the Episode Transcript Here
