"Should we consider a work separation?" I asked Cody while jotting notes from our latest client discussion.

"What are you suggesting?" he replied with surprise. "We just completed the LLC filing. It is too soon to stop."

The date was April 2025 and we remained unsettled in Lisbon with belongings still packed.

We had each lost our prior positions within a short span. In a moment of urgency we chose to pursue our own small marketing firm. I contributed extensive background in content creation and brand planning while he offered coordination abilities and financial oversight. We aimed to form a capable leadership pair.

Challenges appeared quickly.

Doubts about collaboration arose early

From the beginning I questioned whether joint work would suit us and Cody was aware of this.

During our corporate roles in the United States we would share workplace stories at home as typical partners do. An odd meeting moment would be recounted over a meal. A strange exchange with leadership might bring laughter on a day off.

Ultimately we served as mutual support. We enjoyed hearing about each other's professional lives without any obligation to participate directly.

That arrangement appealed to me. Professional matters stayed separate and personal time focused solely on our relationship.

Our decision to move to Lisbon and begin anew came as a couple whose long marriage had thrived by sharing all aspects except career details.

We proceeded with the venture regardless

Facing unemployment weeks after the international move we opted to invest in ourselves.

United States firms showed little interest in remote hires abroad so we established the company structure and online presence. We then informed our network of our availability.

Outwardly we appeared established yet internally we struggled to manage incoming demands. He who once anticipated my ideas now seemed uncertain with new client needs. I lacked knowledge of cross-border tax rules and responded with confusion to financial queries.

After a decade we understood how to navigate disagreements as a couple. However business ownership led to restraint. We simply lacked experience in joint professional efforts.

Eventually we realized that marital strategies applied well to the enterprise. Key among them was open dialogue regarding requirements individual preferences for disliked tasks and unspoken pressures needing assistance.

By capitalizing on complementary abilities as we had in our personal life progress followed.

Persistence brought renewed energy

We had enjoyed a stable lifestyle as a couple without children having spent years advancing in technology roles while directing funds toward substantial education loans. Earnings supported investments charitable contributions and frequent trips.

Even so evenings often involved additional screen time after closing work devices.

Now those prior income levels seem unattainable. Neither of us holds a titled corporate position. We operate as business owners earning significantly less and recognize that previous job stability has vanished amid widespread reductions in our former sectors.

In exchange we gained tranquility in our new setting along with an improved lifestyle and the satisfaction of witnessing mutual professional growth.

Currently we have achieved consistent revenue increases over ten months. I act as a part-time chief marketing officer for multiple brands while supporting additional clients and assisting independent professionals. Fridays are reserved for rest and we operate from various locations abroad.

Above all we discovered how to shield our enduring marriage from business stresses. He remains the sole colleague I have cherished and our shared accomplishments fill me with pride.