Ever wondered what it would be like to work with your husband or wife? Many couples don’t work at the same company together, but head off into different directions and don’t intertwine work and family life very much. At Jani-King, there are quite a few married couples managing their businesses as a team. It can be both rewarding and, at times, challenging (just like being married) to share your career and your family dealings with your spouse.
We talked with an Albuquerque based Jani-King couple that tells us what it’s like to work and live as a team.
How did the two of you decide to become Jani-King franchise owners together?
Maria: Our third child was born as COVID-19 was just taking hold. Joel was working nights and I worked days, so we were like ships passing in the night at the time. When Mateo was born I left my job of many years as an analyst with PNM, to be with him. Not long after, Joel was laid off due to COVID-19. We both agreed that starting a business was the best way forward for us. And after 6 months of research, we settled on a Jani-King franchise.
How was the transition from being “ships passing in the night” to comrades in your new business?
Joel: Well, it was a time of learning for us, but it’s going ok. We’re definitely learning from each other. One of us is focused on the accounting and administration side of the business and the other one is pushing to get more contracts. We do find that we have a lot of free time where before we were just seeing each other in passing. Now we get to spend more days and more time together as a family. I like it and the kids like it. But it is different! We’re still getting used to it.
How has starting your business strengthened your marriage?
Maria: We’re more supportive of each other, whereas before we didn’t really get to share what was going on with our daily work. We were just bringing home stress from each other’s jobs. Now we’re on the same page and we see each other differently in that aspect. I think we have more time to discuss things.
And we just support each other more. If there are things that need to be done in the house, we don’t say, “Oh, I have to be at work.” “But I have to work too.” It’s more like we know the time we have to do our work at home and in the business and we’re pretty much the same now. The housework used to fall on mostly me because I’m the mom. But that aspect has improved a lot.
What’s the best thing about having Jani-King in your life together as a family?
Joel: It’s just freedom in so many ways, just the fact that you don’t have to get up at a certain time to be somewhere at a certain time makes a huge difference. I really enjoy that part. We’re less stressed about family responsibilities.
Maria: My 8-year-old is doing online school, and I’m able to help him with his learning. I’m very thankful for my technical background working with PNM because now I’m able to help him and other parents that aren’t as familiar with computer work. I’m glad I can take the time to help the other families in his class when they need it.
What is your husband’s best quality at work?
Maria: He likes perfection. He’s just like my 8-year-old son. When we started, I cleaned one way and he cleaned a different way. We’ve shared ideas. That’s been his biggest strength. And he’s shown me to be as perfect as him!
What is your wife’s best quality at work?
Joel: In anything she does, she likes to multi-task. It might not be the greatest thing sometimes but in this type of business, it really helps. She is capable of doing many different things at the same time, and it doesn’t bother her. It all gets done somehow.
If you’d like to know more about Jani-King franchise ownership, reach out now.
