Hola!
Today we would like to share something special with you: it’s about relationships. We know a lot of you have had to make the switch to doing much of your work from home. It’s possible you have a spouse or partner right in the next room doing the same thing. Or maybe even in same room as you!
Perhaps you have kids running around or doing online school sessions while you are trying to focus on your work. It can be a huge challenge to survive in these difficult times and make your relationships work. Especially when the line is blurred between our work life and personal life.
So today, we wanted to share some personal insights about us (Henry & Alexandra). Besides being husband and wife, we are also business partners. …And we love it!
In the future, we’ll share more of our personal story with you but today, we wanted to touch on some tips for working together, both as a married couple, and as business partners.
We chose to go into business together because, from the beginning, we always had big goals.
We both met in the entertainment industry; modeling and singing. And thought we were going to be rich and famous haha! Well, that world ended up being not exactly what we were looking for (to be together and raise a family), so we prayed that we could find the right vehicle for us to build together. We wanted something that aligned with our values and principles.
Even though we both come from a Hispanic background, we were pretty different. One from Ecuador (Alexandra) and the other one from Dominican Republic (Henry), South America, and the Caribbean.
Oftentimes, people think, “Well you're both Spanish, it’s same thing....”
Well, you see, our family dynamics were very different. The Caribbean has that "fresh/cool" vibe about everything – South America on the other hand, everything is more diplomatic, more formal. These differences even show themselves in the way we speak.
Over the years, we have learned a lot about communicating as a husband and wife and business partners.
We’ve learned about getting uncomfortable and being willing to compromise.
We’ve learned that it's not about being right or wrong.
We’ve learned teamwork essentials: communicating and understanding each other.
Yes, we are different people, with different backgrounds, upbringings and temperaments. So, it is a given that we are different!
One of the biggest challenges, of course, is trying to merge our personal relationship and our business relationship. In the early years of our marriage, we spent a lot of time, setting the wrong expectations: of making each other "happy", being "perfect" for each other, and trying to agree all the time.
Well, little did we know, we were just putting things under the rug or coping and “hoping” like one of our mentors would say. Over time, we learned that we needed to be understanding and communicate proactively in order to avoid hurting each other.
Here are 3 things we have found helpful in growing our business/relationship:
1. We Are Proactive
We set up business meetings in our calendar as well as budget sessions to make sure we are on the same page. We also set up monthly date nights! Every few months, we take a couple of days off from our job, our business and as mom and dad. It’s just “Henry & Alexandra” time. We have found that we need that time as a couple to spend quality time. We make sure we take time to read together, to reflect and be grateful of our journey in every aspect of our lives :)
2. We Work with Mentors
We have great examples in our lives that have taught us what a partnership in business and in lives looks like, and that's why we feel so strong about mentorship. Our mentors are a huge part of our life and we consider them family. We know that without the people that have sown into our lives we wouldn't be where we are and most importantly where we are going.
3. We Don’t Try to Be Perfect
We know a lot of couples strive for that perfection…but here’s our take: Why to try to be "perfect" together? It's not about being perfect or agreeing 100% of the time, but about, understanding each other, complimenting each other, supporting each other, encouraging each other, growing together. And, most importantly loving each other unconditionally!
Working together is not an easy task, but for us, it’s has been so worth it! We spend a lot of time together, and as a result, we have developed a deeper intimacy with each other and a sense of support that can't be measured.
We are very grateful to continue to grow together in our marriage, our business and as people.
We want to encourage any of you who may be in a similar situation, to work through the challenges. Say proactive, keep checking in with your mentors, and go easy on yourselves.
Every day is a learning experience, and the best thing about having a partner is someone to share the amazing journey with!
As always, thanks for reading, ‘see’ you soon…
“Intense love does not measure, it just gives.” – Mother Theresa
Con Amor,
Henry & Alexandra
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