Women's roles - spouse & in-law

Listen to Maureen Woodman, Kathy Hubert and Nan-B de Gaspe Beaubien the explain the process of being integrated as an in-law into a family business. As an in-law, it is important to develop a deep relationship based on trust with family members of the business, while being cautious not to overstep any boundaries. The integration process into an unfamiliar family business may be lengthly, however, the end result is often beneficial to both parties.

Maureen Woodman In this business it was not hard for me to be an in-law, because the in-laws had been already embedded in the history of generation one. Kathy Hubert Coming into the business with my husband, I didn’t have any reservations, but I kind of overstepped my boundaries a lot. Nan-B de Gaspe Beaubien The whole idea behind this is to build trust. You have to build and emotional bank account with these newcomers so it’s going to take time, and patience, and you have to again give up your own ego, because you’re going to have to be able to listen to them, and you know what, they’re going to have some good ideas. Kathy Hubert Your business relationship sometimes takes on your marital relationship because you bring it home.