Building a Business and a Life: The Truth About Working With Your Spouse

Episode 26 of the Seven Figure Chiro Podcast

In this candid and personal episode, Dr. Jeff Berard and Kristin dive into a topic many entrepreneurs face but few openly discuss: what it's really like to work with your spouse.

From flannel shirts and Michigan winters to the nuts and bolts of running a chiropractic clinic, this episode shares the highs, lows, and lessons that come with blending business and marriage. Whether you're already working side by side or considering it, this one is full of real talk you won’t hear anywhere else.

Why It Worked for Us (and Might Not for Everyone)

Jeff is quick to admit: Kristin didn’t become part of the business just because she was his wife. It was dumb luck that the person he married happened to be highly skilled in the areas he needed help with, operations, finances, KPIs, and staff management.

It’s not enough to love someone. If they don’t have the skills your business needs, working together can be a disaster. Period.

Kristin stepped in at a time when the clinic was chaotic. Jeff was doing everything, marketing, payroll, managing staff, and drowning. She brought order, systems, and accountability to every part of the operation.

The Key: Define Roles and Stay in Your Lane

One of the biggest breakthroughs in making this work was clearly defining roles. Kristin handles systems, numbers, and the backend. Jeff leads clinical care, vision, and patient experience. And they trust each other to lead in those areas without micromanaging.

They have learned that both leadership and follow-through matter equally, but they rarely come from the same person. Kristin executes. Jeff dreams. And they need both.

Leave Cookie-Cutter Consulting Behind

Before Kristin joined, Jeff hired numerous consultants, most of which charged top dollar for one-size-fits-all advice that didn’t serve his business or vision. That frustration led to their creation of Seven Figure Chiro: consulting that actually meets chiropractors and multi-disciplinary clinic owners where they are, with custom strategy and real support.

The Struggles: You Will Bring Work Home

One of the rawest truths they share is the challenge of separating work and personal life. Kristin often keeps working late into the night. Jeff, mentally drained after patient care, is checked out by the time he walks in the door.

They don’t always get it right, but they’ve learned that scheduling time to just be spouses, like traveling together, is key to reconnecting outside of work.

Tips for Clinic Owners Working With Their Spouse:

• Only do it if the skillset matches. Being married doesn’t mean you’re meant to be business partners.

• Define your roles. Know who owns what and trust them to execute.

• Have a neutral party. A strong leadership team can buffer tension and bring objectivity.

• Balance accountability. Your partner might be the best accountability coach you will ever have.

• Make space for your relationship. Schedule time away from the business to dream, relax, and reconnect.

Final Thoughts

Working with your spouse is NOT easy, but when done right, it can elevate both your business and your relationship. Kristin and Jeff prove that mutual respect, complementary skills, and strong boundaries can turn your marriage into one of your business’s greatest assets. 

Listen to Episode 26 to hear the full conversation and the behind-the-scenes stories of building a thriving business and relationship.