Would You Hire Your Husband?
Laura Udall noticed that her young daughter suffered back pain from lugging her books back and forth to school. Udall decided to develop and market a backpack light enough for children to wear safely.
She founded her own company in 2003 and hired an industrial design firm. But after growing frustrated with a lack of progress, she turned to her husband, Nick. “He is brilliant at coming up with things, so he went into the garage and came up with our first prototype for a rolling book bag,” she said.
Today, Udall, 52, is chief executive of Züca Inc., a $2 million business in Campbell, Calif., that makes luggage. Her husband works for her as vice president for design and manufacturing.
“The buck really stops at me,” she said.
Udall’s situation may be somewhat unusual, but it is hardly unique.
At a time when high-profile women have suffered some setbacks on Wall Street and when women in general still struggle for pay parity, a group of entrepreneurs has proved that women are comfortable not only with running their own companies, but also with having their husbands work for them.
In addition to finding ways to work together at home, the couples have created a separate balance of power in their business relationship. And though it may help that both partners do this to enrich a family enterprise, the woman may make a conscious effort to ensure that her mate is getting appropriate recognition.
Read more.
Photo by Jim Wilson.
cassy on July 9th, 2008 3:02 am
Man usually dont like this idea, the wife is the “superior”.They say it can “boast their ego” if their wives are the superior of their business. Its nice to know that their are still man who can fathom the situation.
By the way, i like the products of Laura, especially the bags, it has many use.
boney bantilan on July 9th, 2008 6:28 am
Some owners of companies, hire family and friends because they need to, while others do that, for tax reasons or other benefits. Whatever the reason, the use of a family member or a friend has advantages and disadvantages. If you think of hiring anyone close to your heart, it is important to look at the advantages and disadvantages, so you’ll have the right management processes.
The hiring of friends or family members can have a positive experience, but beware of employees who try to take advantage of a friend or family. Example: A friend / employee leaves from work early several times per month, the member of the family/employee might think that it is normal because of the situation.
One of the most difficult situations, it is sent to you by the discipline or even to terminate a family member or a friend. Even if its a wise move for the business, there’s a lot of bad feeling from family members or friends, they may not understand the situation and think that you have acted unfairly. This can be a lot of stress on the personal and professional side of the biz owner, which may have a negative impact on your ability to run the company.
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