Do you have opened up your agency, revenue is flowing in and your systems are working. Everything is humming along. But you need to grow. How about doubling your productivity by bringing your spouse or partner into the business?

If you are still reading this, you have overcome the immediately visceral negative reaction of a large percentage of the population who say, "Work with my spouse? Oh hell no. Never!" This reaction is natural, if short- sighted, when it comes to running a business. Having a business involves being resourceful and capitalizing on your resources. You can't discount an opportunity just because at first glance it is out of your comfort zone.

I write from experience. I started my insurance agency in 2001, worked it for a couple of years and then invited my wife to join me when she earned her BA in 2003. At the outset, we did not know if this arrangement would work out. We tried it because we wanted to work together, but resolved that if we hated each other after a year, she would try something else. We have worked together ever since, making it through difficulties in both business and life, and persevering through some hairy times, both in business and in our marriage.