5 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Manage Relationship Stress, According to a Divorce Coach

Many founders know how to navigate market volatility and investor pitches. But relationships? That’s often more than they can handle. I recently sat down with Vanessa White, a divorce master coach in the UK, who works with business owners who struggle as their personal lives unravel, even while their companies grow. “We’re not just one-dimensional,” White says.

In our conversation, some of the points she made indicate that relationship skills might be one of the most underrated entrepreneurial assets you can have. Here are 5 key bits of relationship wisdom that can help entrepreneurs find success and happiness both at the office and at home.

1. Your Business Will Strain Even the Strongest Relationships

Market challenges and financial hurdles are just a normal work day for the intrepid folks who run their own business. Their biggest blind spot may be their personal relationships, which sometimes suffer due to how hard they work to achieve business success. “Even if you’ve had a stable relationship, starting a business can shake up the dynamic,” White explains.

The entrepreneurial journey can rewire your normal patterns. I’ve met many an entrepreneur who has said that late nights replaced their date nights. Conversations drift toward business problems instead of the stuff at home that needs addressing. According to White, three main stressors start to pop up when one partner launches a venture:

• Work-life imbalance that leaves little room for quality time
• Financial uncertainty that introduces new anxieties
• Expanded social circles through networking that can trigger insecurity in partners

“When we feel insecure, we want reassurance from the other person,” she says. This becomes particularly challenging when founders are mentally consumed by business problems.

What makes this scenario tricky is that it doesn’t usually suddenly appear. Relationship strain often comes upon people gradually and partners don’t always notice until after significant damage has occurred.

2. If One Partner Isn’t an Entrepreneur, You Still Need to Find Common Ground

You definitely don’t have to live the same entrepreneurial life in order to have a happy, healthy relationship. According to White, what matters is finding time to come together. “You don’t have to do the same things,” she said, “but you do need to reconnect at some point.”

We’re all familiar with the fact that many entrepreneurs work in a fast-paced environment and it can work against how their partners live their own lives, especially if they work a traditional job or stay home. This contrast isn’t inherently a problem — unless it leads to emotional distance.

White recommends setting boundaries with some intention.

• Put the laptop away during vacations and possibly weekends
• stop checking emails during dinner
• schedule time that’s exclusively for your relationship

You don’t have to share the same work life, but you do need to show up for each other with presence and care.

3. Celebrate Each Other — Not Just the Business

One of the most overlooked elements in maintaining a healthy relationship while building a business is mutual support. According to White, many entrepreneurs unintentionally put their partner on the back burner and that imbalance quietly erodes your connection.

“We want a partner who genuinely celebrates our wins,” White said. “Not with jealousy or competition, but with real support.”

This goes both ways. Entrepreneurs may expect a partner to applaud their milestones — from fundraising rounds to product launches — but then they forget to return the favor when their partner achieves something meaningful in their own sphere.

White encourages founders to affirm and acknowledge their partner’s contributions, even when they have nothing to do with the business. A thoughtful comment, a moment of recognition, or just being emotionally available after a long day can go a long way in preserving connection and trust.

4. Divorce While Growing a Business? Here’s What to Do

When relationship problems reach a breaking point while you’re scaling a business, the temptation to pour yourself into work may grow. “Don’t isolate. Pull people closer,” White advises, contradicting the instinct many entrepreneurs have.

White says that divorce ranks as the second most traumatic life event after losing a loved one. The emotional burden may come at the same time as practical complications that demand attention when you have the least bandwidth to give it. Founders often think they can hustle through heartbreak like a business problem, but that approach backfires.

Instead of retreating into spreadsheets and strategy sessions, White suggests a three-pronged approach:

1. Build your personal board of directors – friends, family members, and professionals who can offer both emotional support and practical guidance
2. Seek clarity on legal and financial matters immediately
3. Bring your work team into the loop appropriately

“You don’t have to give them all the details,” White explains about communicating with colleagues, “but just saying ‘look, I just want you to know my marriage has ended’ allows them to understand and potentially help.”

The counterintuitive truth is that taking time for yourself actually improves your business performance during divorce. Even 20 minutes of self-care daily can prevent the emotional overwhelm that may cloud decisions both personally and professionally.

5. Communication Isn’t Optional — It’s the Glue

The foundation of both business and relationship success rests on genuine communication – something that may seem simple yet can be highly challenging. The founder who excels at pitching to an investor may struggle to apply such skills at home.

“We don’t need to fix everything — we need to listen,” White says. This matters because entrepreneurs are often natural problem solvers who rush to solutions rather than understanding. Remember, the same attentive listening that helps you understand customer needs works equally well understanding partner concerns.

Speaking from “I” statements creates safety. Rather than “You’re always working late,” try “I feel disconnected when we don’t spend evenings together.” This small shift can remove accusation and open dialogue.

Don’t Let Your Relationships Become Collateral Damage

White reminds entrepreneurs that relationships deserve the same care and attention as their ventures. Boundaries, communication, and mutual support aren’t luxuries — they’re essentials. “We’re not one-dimensional,” she said. “We deserve happiness in love, too.” For founders juggling both business and personal challenges, that message is more important than ever.

What do you think about relationships and entrepreneurship?
💬 Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments. And, learn more about Vanessa’s coaching practice here:

 

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