Love The One You're (Working) With

Many married couples kiss goodbye in the morning and head off to separate jobs or responsibilities, but others combine their professions and passions. Three pairs of Chamber members are partners in business and in life and have found ways to make both relationships work successfully. 

"Working together is tough," admits Angela Lepore, who runs Arizona Air Boutique with her husband, Mario. "After years of trying to figure it out, we discovered the secret to a successful relationship and business is to divide and conquer. Each of us takes on aspects of the business we excel at and enjoy. It's a win-win solution!  We don’t step on each other’s toes and it keeps the relationship happy and healthy and the business successful!" The Lepores' unique balloon bouquet and promotions business earned a 2010 IMPACT Award from the Chamber.

Division of labor also helps Susan and Jim McGiffert run their successful RE/MAX Sonoran Hills realty business. 

"Susan's efforts let me concentrate on the business of the business, while she does those behind the scene things which make it possible for that to happen," beams Jim of his wife of 34 years. "In all the businesses I have been in, she has been my most trusted advisor, calendar organizer, cheerleader, and spokesperson," he adds. Jim and Susan are both Chamber Ambassadors. 

As you might expect, the same attributes that make for a successful romantic relationship are the cornerstones of a solid business pairing. 

"We always remember that communication is a basis for successful marriages and businesses," notes Pat Fleischmann of Community Tire Pros and Auto Repair, who notes she and husband Howard "have been working side-by-side since 2002, best friends for 32 years, together for 15 years and now married for six years." The Fleischmanns' family business won an IMPACT Award in 2008. 

While these couples are intertwined personally and professionally, their ability to separate their common worlds is key to keeping both healthy. 

"Knowing where and when to draw the line between business and personal life can be challenging, but we always seem to know where we'll be when we get home, cuddling on the couch, no matter how trying a day," Pat says.  

The perfect business partner is often a challenge to find; the perfect life partner, even more so. These fortunate Chamber members have the best of both worlds: loving what they do and doing it with the ones they love. 

"Nothing beats being married to the person who you love, is your best friend, and best advisor," says Jim McGiffert.

Get Connected
RE/MAX Sonoran Hills
www.AZSonoranHills.com

Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair
www.communitytireaz.com

Arizona Air Boutique
www.azairboutique.com 

This story is part of the Chamber's monthly Businessdriver email newsletter. To sign up for any or all of the Chamber's email communications, click here.