[theturtlemoves]

> The people who write the books, give the TED talks, and post the LinkedIn manifestos about “betting on yourself” are, by definition, the ones for whom the bet paid off.

> You don’t hear much from the ones who went back to traditional employment after three years of grinding, a depleted savings account, and a marriage that got stress-tested past its limits.

Check, check and nearly check. It was a choice between having a business and having a marriage. Easy choice in hindsight.

You can break up, or you can have a thousand fights. Why would you have a thousand fights? Well, so you can make peace. Having my own business, incidentally with my spouse, was the perfect conduit for those thousand fights. Holy hell in a handbasket. But: I've gotten to know them in a way I don't think I'd ever have reached without the business. I wouldn't change a thing. Except maybe getting a clue at the three year mark that this wasn't going to work instead of grimly hanging on to a dying dream for seven years.

[damascus]

Started a business with my wife as well. It grew successfully and we still got divorced and now we still work together. Thankfully we managed it beautifully but it was definitely the hardest thing I've ever done emotionally. Worth it in the end, we are both much happier and the business continues to grow!