13 years, 4 startups, and 3 kids...done across 3 continents. If I hadn't gotten my wife's support, and worked to understand the extent of it - it never would have worked. Finding the line between receiving the support and understanding of your spouse and familial abandonment is a difficult task - and it changes over time.
Before kids - it was actually harder to see the line - but the "penalties" for crossing it were less. After kids, the line gets much easier to see - and the costs associated with being on the wrong side of it are exponential. My wife does an amazing job of helping to clarify the lines, as well as act as an early warning for when I approach them.
Like most entrepreneurs I'm prone to exploring rabbit holes - and as such knowing that my wife is supporting not only my efforts as an entrepreneur, but also my efforts as a husband and a father, and helping me to be the best I can at all of them has an amazing grounding impact. I know if I fly too close to the sun, she'll help bring me back to a safe altitude before harm is done.
Having long since recognized how vital and meaningful her support is - I cherish it and do my best to nourish it, and return the favor in as many aspects of her life as I can. It is very easy to fall into the trap of thinking of yourself as the only one who needs support, the "lead role" in the play. Reminding myself that it's a system, and any break in the system can lead to its failure helps me keep things in perspective.
Ryan Rutan
13 years, 4 startups, and 3 kids...done across 3 continents. If I hadn't gotten my wife's support, and worked to understand the extent of it - it never would have worked. Finding the line between receiving the support and understanding of your spouse and familial abandonment is a difficult task - and it changes over time.
Before kids - it was actually harder to see the line - but the "penalties" for crossing it were less. After kids, the line gets much easier to see - and the costs associated with being on the wrong side of it are exponential. My wife does an amazing job of helping to clarify the lines, as well as act as an early warning for when I approach them.
Like most entrepreneurs I'm prone to exploring rabbit holes - and as such knowing that my wife is supporting not only my efforts as an entrepreneur, but also my efforts as a husband and a father, and helping me to be the best I can at all of them has an amazing grounding impact. I know if I fly too close to the sun, she'll help bring me back to a safe altitude before harm is done.
Having long since recognized how vital and meaningful her support is - I cherish it and do my best to nourish it, and return the favor in as many aspects of her life as I can. It is very easy to fall into the trap of thinking of yourself as the only one who needs support, the "lead role" in the play. Reminding myself that it's a system, and any break in the system can lead to its failure helps me keep things in perspective.