Spousal Support: Say "I Do" to Your Partner's Creative Business

When you find something you love, and want to make a career out of it, having the support of the someone you love really makes a big difference.  As artists, crafters and photographers, the encouragement of our partners can really inspire us. The more validated we feel in what we're doing, the more confidently we can work toward professional success. 

I spoke to the husbands of some lovely women (who all run handmade businesses) and came up with a list of ways that they support the business endeavors of their significant others. So, grab your partners – this article is for them!

1. Be Their Biggest Fan

Is your partner creative?  Are you proud of his or her work?  Then show it by being their biggest cheerleader.  Let them know that you like what they create – make a point of affirming them. Artists often get stuck in ruts, and sometimes a simple word of encouragement can be the very thing they need to get out of a slump! The applause of the people that mean the most in our lives often resonates more than what anyone else says. 

Jason Salagubang is the husband of the brilliant Alicia of Anycards (there they are, below).  Alicia has a store full of beautiful trinket boxes, frames and original art – and after talking with her husband Jason, I can see that she also has a lovely husband who recognizes her talent.  In Jason’s words, Alicia is “very creative and does a good job with everything she makes.”  He also told me that she puts a lot of time, skill and patience into her work, and that everything looks “so professional and well done.”  Jason is definitely a husband who is proud of his wife’s work!

2. Make Their Business Your Business

A great way to show your interest in your partner's business is to know what they sell.  Check out the inventory, get a feel for the products.  Although you might not be too familiar with the creative processes, or the names of all the styles, simply being able to distinguish your partner's work from anyone else's is important.  If there was a table full of products made by different people, would you be able to pick out the items your spouse made? 

In addition to knowing the products, do you know anything about the business side of the store?  Do you know how many sales your spouse has made?  Do you know what their profit margins are?  This is information that they may or may not share – but have you ever asked them if they need any help with this side of things?

Aaron Rust is the husband of the successful jewelry artist Pamela Susan (they're both in the picture below).  Not only does he know the profit margins of her items and how many sales she has made – but he assists her with the accounting, technical and marketing aspects of her business (he knows to keep out of the creative part).  He told me of his excitement about Pamela’s success, and said that Pamela has “learned so much from running her own business. I think opening her Etsy shop has helped her realize that she doesn't have any limits on what she can accomplish.”  Aaron sounds like another amazingly supportive husband!

3. Sing Your Partner's Praises

Another husband that has gotten on board with his wife’s creative business is Jonathan Hornkohl.  His wife of six years, Lindsey, is an artist based out of California who sells beautiful watercolor art, along with gorgeous felted and crocheted items at her store E. Lindsey Hornkohl Art (check her out, with husband Jonathan, below). What I love about Jonathan is that he is so enthusiastic about his wife’s work that he promotes it on his own Facebook Page.  He is basically her personal Public Relations Rep!  Whenever Lindsey adds a new creation to her store, Jonathan raves about it on his Facebook Page.  This shows true love and support for Lindsey’s work, when he’s willing to shout it out to his friends, colleagues and family!

What do you do to promote your significant other’s work?  Perhaps keep some of their business cards in your wallet, or talk about it to coworkers that you know might have an interest in the types of things that they create.  There are lots of things that you can do to help spread the word about the business.

4. Do Not Disturb During Business Hours

Sometimes spouses forget that working creatively from home is still work. There are deadlines to meet and people to please – and doing all that from home doesn’t make it any less important. Hopefully, your spouse has set up a work schedule where he or she designates times to create, package and document.  The two of you should discuss this schedule, and once "business hours" have been determined, be sure not to encroach on that time. 

So there you have it, partners.  A few simple guidelines on how to show your husband or wife that you support their handmade business.  Five stars go to those of you who already do all these, and for those of you who don’t – you’ve got some homework to do.  Just remember that this is something your partner is passionate about. Try and include their passion as one of your passions, and the rest will fall into place.

Dionne Christiansen is a graphic designer based in Houston, TX.  She is the face behind the Etsy store City of Dionne and writes at her blog Notes From Dionne.

Main photo courtesy of Shutterstock.com