Is my husband right? Should I get a real job?

Dear Aunty B,

I have an interior design business that I have run on the side while raising my kids. My children are now settled into school and I decided to kick start the business with an offsite with a few ‘supporters”.

We made a marketing list that I began to work through with a focus on getting work from my local community. The problem is that while the suggestions were good, a number of them are not working.

I was going to hand out flyers at the kid’s school but the council has banned parents doing that. I was also going to put a magnetic sign on my car advertising the business but my husband banned that. He also refused to hand my card around at work to his colleagues and clients who renovate all the time! When I asked him why he told me he always saw the business as a hobby and thought that when the kids were at school I would go back and get a “real” job.

I love what I do and feel it has potential but when I think of the marketing I need to do to grow the business I wonder how I can do it. At first I was really angry at my husband for his lack of support. But it’s so hard that I am wondering if he is right. Do I need a real job? Or can I make this my life?

Deb,
Vic

Dear Deb,

Husbands are rarely right, especially when knowing what women should do with their lives. In fact, they should all take a leaf out of Tony Abbott’s book, admit they hold antiquated, wacky views on women that are out of step with most people in the community and zip it.

Deb, you would be hard pressed to find an entrepreneur who has not been told by well meaning people that it won’t work. Take my good self. When I started my business, I was constantly reminded that no one had ever, in the history of Australia, been successful at what I was trying to do. In fact, they would rattle off the names of all those who had tried and failed. I used to look them in the eye and tell them, well, I’ll be the first. And of course, I was.

The main thing to understand is whether your husband can be supportive or not. Sit him down and explain that this is not a hobby and that his comments are really hurtful. Tell him you are going to give this a go and you want his support and expect his support. Be very firm. But also listen to his concerns. If they are financial then work out what you need to earn for him to feel comfortable and factor that into your business plan.

Don’t just look in your local community for work. Approach architectural firms and see if you can do any work for them. Make contacts in other interior design firms and see if they can use your firm when they are very busy. Make sure you are well known for several specialty services. This could be an expertise in bathroom and bedrooms to outdoor kitchens.

Lastly, make sure you have a band of supporters to keep you going. We all have “what the hell am I doing?” moments when running our own businesses and fantasise about the life of a wage slave. They pass: with the right support and action.

Good luck!
Your Aunty B

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