A Salute to the Daring Few

Beyond the traditional 'cottage industry', it's hard to find too many married couples that share the responsibility of running a business enterprise equitably. Corporate consolidations and the decline in marriage work against such a phenomenon. Rest assured, however, we have found a several such couples, good ones, very successful ones. Ingram's contributing editor Chris Becicka showcases them in this month's edition, beginning on page 17. And an interesting set of couples they are.

Some married into this madness

Mike Wilson can surely comment on marrying into "the family business." His wife Gail, of the famed Worth Harley Davidson family, has lived and breathed motorcycles all of her life. It's not surprising then to see "Dyno-Mike," as he's known around the shop, totally immersed with Gail in their rapidly growing business. Vince Seif knows something about marrying into business as well.

Vince's wife Diane, formerly of Heochst Marion Roussel, launched Regulatory/Clinical Conultants, Inc. in the late 90s, and the business has grown even quicker than the government regs that inspired it. Diane brings the clinical and regulatory expertise to the table while Vince's expertise is in finance and navigating governmental opportunities.

Each of these couples has exercised great discipline to work with and support their spouse. Leaving their work at the office is yet another attibute they’ve apparently mastered.

While most couples would agree that working closely with a spouse creates a bit of a combative relationship at times, we’d also guess that most believe that sharing time with their life partner is the part of their life they wouldn’t trade for the world.

The honeymoon apparently isn't over

Still in newlywed state are Joan and Steve Carter of Right Management Consulting. Joan was hired for a strategic planning project several years ago and has since become as much a part of the business as Steve himself. Joan and Steve serve each other as counselor and caring partner. The Carters attribute their success to their shared belief in being strategic and, even more important, their abiding love for each other.

So much for formalities

Nancy and Roger Neighbors have built a sizeable business at Neighbors Construction but conduct their meetings when they can find the time. The Neighbors regularly hold their informal bathroom board of directors meetings. Roger handles the construction side of the business while Nancy handles the administrative and financial side and, if that's not enough, their lumber yard and apartment complex as well.

When you see Ray Malone of Malco Steel you'll usually see wife Mary by his side. The Malones started building Malco Steel in 1984 and today operate one of Entrepreneur Top 10 Minority-owned Small Businesses in the United States. Mary and Ray are positive, successful and grounded in faith. They humbly credit their success to the understanding that "you have to be flexible for both the short and long term."

Give me a break!

"Take a lot of vacations. Together. Playing together is even more important if you work together," says Sherry and Mike Coughlin of ScriptPro. The Coughlins and their enterprise ScriptPro are breaking out of the small business mold as the firm has now exceeded $100 million in annual sales and employ 450 people. How the Coughlins find the time to play as they do has perplexed this magazine-publishing working couple, but we're interested to learn and share their secret.

Each of these couples has exercised great discipline to work with and support their spouse. Leaving their work at the office is yet another attibute they've apparently mastered. While most couples would agree that working closely with a spouse creates a bit of a combative relationship at times, we'd also guess that most believe that sharing time with their life partner is the part of their life they wouldn't trade for the world.

Michelle and Joe Sweeney

Ingram's Publishers

P.S. Speaking of showcasing, area firms that have been steadily growing, whether or not they are family owned, need to submit their Corporate Report 100 forms no later than Friday, June 13th to be considered among the Kansas City area's fastest growing businesses. See the opposing page for details. And while you are in a form-filling mood, we would encourage you all to vote for Ingram's annual Best of Business Kansas City competition found on page 32 of this issue.