⚡ Get All Content for 20% Off ⚡

What I Learned About Business After Getting Married Your business can improve if you focus on your important relationships -- most important of them being the one with yourself.

By Thomas Edwards, Jr.

entrepreneur daily

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

As entrepreneurs, we're all focused on the business hustle. Sometimes, though, we forget that the quality of our personal lives can affect our success in the business world.

I have had a lot of changes in my personal life -- one of the biggest being getting married. It was by far the best day of my life. We were fortunate to go on an amazing "laptop-less" honeymoon and as soon as we came back, we both dove right back into our businesses. (Yes, I married another entrepreneur!)

After being hitched for nearly three months, I'd like to shed some perspective on what I've learned so far and how you can take these insights toward your own entrepreneurial success.

Related: Too Busy to Get Busy? 3 Tips for a Better Sex Life.

Being a customer of your own product or service is among the highest forms of credibility.

I'm not talking about wearing swag from head to toe with your company's logo on it. Since I run a social-skills consultancy, it has always been important to have a ton of success stories and case studies to share and prove that our service works. But since word has spread that I'm now a married man, I've had plenty of prospective clients tell me the reason they chose me over the competition is I represent the kind of life (read: results) they want.

If you want people to trust your product or service, be a customer yourself and prove how it can dramatically change someone's life by having it change your own.

'What's mine is yours.'

I've been hearing this line way too many times already but it is the truth. I've taken a vow to share everything I have with my wife. That amount of loyalty and willingness to give has translated to how I've been willing to give and do what it takes to find success for my clients.

I used to think that if I "gave away all my secrets," then I'd be giving away my value. I soon realized whatever "secrets" you are holding back, thinking they're what make you valuable, is actually hurting you in the long run, especially in the service industry. If you believe your product or service is the best then, even if someone knows the "secret," they'll still need you or your product for the execution or application.

That can never be replaced and that kind of value can be priceless.

Related: Get Angry! Be Passionate! Your Emotions Are Vital to Success.

Happiness outside of your business equals success in your business.

I love my businesses and what I do, but it doesn't come without hardships. One thing that has allowed me to make better decisions, work harder, and become more focused when working with clients, is selfishly looking after my own happiness. Hence the decision to immediately go on our honeymoon.

Whether it's a date night with the wife, playing every week in my pool league, or grabbing drinks with friends, I make a point to maintain a life outside of my business so I'm in as positive of a state as possible whenever I'm working on my business. I've also seen that my clients notice when I'm especially happy through our consultations. Apparently my energy can rub off on them, effectively making them more confident toward accomplishing their goals. Ultimately, the happier your customers, the more successful your business will be.

It didn't take me getting married to understand these things but you can imagine how your business -- and life -- can improve if you focus on your important relationships, most important of them being the one with yourself.

Related: 5 Simple Steps to Be a Super-Confident Leader

Thomas Edwards, Jr.

Performance and Transformational Coach

Thomas Edwards, Jr. is a transformational coach, trainer, guide and advisor for high-performing individuals and businesses.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Remote Side Hustle a 43-Year-Old Musician Works on for 1 Hour a Day Earns Nearly $3,000 a Month: 'All From the Comfort of Home'

Sam Ziegler wanted to supplement his income as a professional drummer — then his tech skills and desire to help people came together.

Business News

Costco CFO Reveals Uncertain Fate of $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo

CFO Richard Galanti reveals that the price will stay the same — but only "for a while."

Business News

The Most Unexpectedly Popular Side Hustle of the Decade Has Low Startup Costs and High Markups

A new report shows that vending machines are a popular investment — and the industry is set to grow up to $3 billion by 2031.

Marketing

Ever Wonder Why Certain Websites Rank Higher Than Yours? This SEO Expert Reveals The Secret to Dominating Search Results

It's often the smart use of SEO, now supercharged with AI, particularly in keyword optimization.

Business News

AI Is Impacting Jobs. Here Are the Gigs Affected the Most, According to an Analysis of 5 Million Upwork Postings

The researcher said in the report that freelance jobs were analyzed first because that market will likely see AI's immediate impact.

Leadership

Former Interrogator Shares 5 Behaviors Liars Exhibit and How to Handle Them

Five deceptive behaviors to look for and how to respond to those behaviors when you encounter them.