When I met my husband Blair Osborn in 1975, I had no idea that our chance encounter would fuel a 30-year partnership in life and business.

As marriage and business partners, we understand that stress, aches, pains, and other consequences of busy lives give us all pause to seek more relaxation and rejuvenation in our lives. Making time for both is essential for us and the customers we are committed to serve.

Through countless ups and downs over the years, there are several skills vital to the smooth functioning of any partnership. In no other endeavor is it more important to understand and master these skills than in a business relationship with your spouse. To follow are our hard won lessons that will serve others seeking to get into business with a marriage partner without sinking either the marriage or the business in the process.

Commitment is the cornerstone. When Blair and I started our business, most people thought we were crazy. Still, we remained committed to our mission and vowed to stay with it. We quickly discovered that running a business required knowledge and resources we hadn