99 episodes

Helping married entrepreneurs reach their business goals while living a better-balanced life with their spouse and family

The biggest challenge for married entrepreneurs isn’t simply succeeding in business, it’s succeeding in all areas of life.

This show will take you behind closed doors to share with you the real stories, conversations, and hard moments that happen in every married couple’s life, especially when it’s amplified by the stress of building a business.

Join your hosts Robert and Kay Lee Fukui each week as they take you into the boardroom and bedroom where you will hear encouraging stories from married entrepreneurs thriving in tandem.

Robert has over 25 years of working with Fortune 100 companies in marketing and sales before developing a consulting business to help privately held, family businesses become more profitable.

Kay Lee grew up and worked in her family business and understands the power struggles that can bring.

Together they spent two years in relationship counseling BEFORE they got married and have over 17 years of real-life marriage and business experience implementing what they've learned.

Stay connected with them on Facebook and Instagram @thrivingintandem or visit them at https://www.marriedentrepreneur.co for some great resources for your marriage and business.

Thriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs Robert and Kay Lee Fukui: Business and Marriage Coaches

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 14 Ratings

Helping married entrepreneurs reach their business goals while living a better-balanced life with their spouse and family

The biggest challenge for married entrepreneurs isn’t simply succeeding in business, it’s succeeding in all areas of life.

This show will take you behind closed doors to share with you the real stories, conversations, and hard moments that happen in every married couple’s life, especially when it’s amplified by the stress of building a business.

Join your hosts Robert and Kay Lee Fukui each week as they take you into the boardroom and bedroom where you will hear encouraging stories from married entrepreneurs thriving in tandem.

Robert has over 25 years of working with Fortune 100 companies in marketing and sales before developing a consulting business to help privately held, family businesses become more profitable.

Kay Lee grew up and worked in her family business and understands the power struggles that can bring.

Together they spent two years in relationship counseling BEFORE they got married and have over 17 years of real-life marriage and business experience implementing what they've learned.

Stay connected with them on Facebook and Instagram @thrivingintandem or visit them at https://www.marriedentrepreneur.co for some great resources for your marriage and business.

    Ep. 186 - Is Your Business An Idol? With Stu and Trish Fuhlendorf

    Ep. 186 - Is Your Business An Idol? With Stu and Trish Fuhlendorf

    Entrepreneurs have an independent streak for sure. I have it, you have it, we all have it. It’s why we can’t see ourselves in a 9 to 5 job. It’s why we’re so successful in what we do. We take the bull by the horn and make it happen. 
    But independence can have an ugly side to it. It can cause us to become a little arrogant, isolated, and hurt our most important relationships. Meet this week’s guest Stu Fuhlendorf and his wife Trish. Stu took three companies IPO, made tons of money and was a wall street darling.
    Until ego, alcohol, and the love of success got the better of him. It almost landed him in jail. Thankfully, there is a happy ending to this that you’ll have to listen for yourself. 
    Website: www.redemptionhills.com
    Business: www.lifeverse.com
    Book: “Wall Street to Well” https://www.amazon.com/Wall-Street-Well-Transformation-Fortune/dp/1949021432
    Key Takeaways:
    Stu wasn’t driven by money and things but by accomplishments
    The accomplishments were great but fleeting
    Turned to alcohol which made him angry
    Guided 3 companies through successful IPOs
    Faced a lawsuit from the S.E.C. 
    Trish had to lean on her faith and prayer to stay married
    She put her happiness on the shelf
    Instead of arguing she chose silence
    Questions:
    Why were you such a jerk?
    Trish, I know you got saved first and that was a big part of the reason you stuck it out with Stu, but many good Christian women would have still left, how were you able to stick it out?
    I’m sure you tried to get him to quit drinking and change the way he was living, did you just give up trying to convince him at some point?
    While not going to the extremes you did, many entrepreneurs have the same mentality you had. What would you say to them?
    Pastors can fall into much of the same trap that you did in your career, what do you say to them?
    Stu serves as the Senior Pastor of Redemption Hills Church in Littleton Colorado and is the Cofounder and COO of Lifeverse.  His first book, Wall Street to the Well, was released April 2019.  After working in corporate business for twenty years, he earned an M.Div. from Denver Seminary and was called into full-time ministry combining his love of Jesus with 21st century technology.  Stu lives in the foothills of Colorado with his wife, Trish.  They have two grown children who divide their time between school, work, and fun.
    Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. https://www.thetandembook.com/
    Need to create more time to dedicate to your marriage? Download this free guide. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/boundaries
    Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/lets-talk

    • 42 min
    Ep. 185 - Vacations Are Good For The Health of Your Business

    Ep. 185 - Vacations Are Good For The Health of Your Business

    Taking a vacation is a good thing. So why is it so hard for the typical entrepreneur to tear themselves away from the day to day grind of building a business to take a break with their family? 
    We’ve heard and used these excuses. “I’m too busy to get away.” “It’s too stressful to take time off. There will be so much work waiting for me when I get back.” “I don’t think the staff will be able to handle things while I’m gone.” “I get texts and emails all the time while I’m away. So I might as well stay home and get things done.” 
    If your goal in starting the business was to gain more freedom then something has to change. And forcing yourself to take more vacations will set your business up for success if you follow these rules. Take a listen to this week’s episode. Your family and staff will thank you.
    Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. https://www.thetandembook.com/
    Need to create more time to dedicate to your marriage? Download this free guide. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/boundaries
    Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/lets-talk
    Key Takeaways:
    Common excuses- I don’t have time, It’s too stressful, I can’t trust the staff to take care of business, 
    Results- You’re stressed, business is stressed, family is stressed
    Vacations are good for the soul
    It is productive
    What we hear after the vacation. I got more clarity/ideas for the business, I/we needed that, The team took care of business, 
    It forces you to scale and grow your business. - prepare your staff for your absence (S.O.P.)
    List what you do
    Circle the things only you can do
    Identify who can do what 
    Nominate a lead(ers)
    Start preparing three months before your next vacation
    Develop systems
    Document the procedures
    Define what a true emergency is
    The team is empowered to make decisions for themselves based on the good of the company
    Resist the temptation to take back responsibilities once you return
    You get great ideas
    It refuels you for the work ahead
    Better for your health, relationship and business

    • 30 min
    Ep. 184 - Managing Death and Business with Gary and Keely Van Vlack

    Ep. 184 - Managing Death and Business with Gary and Keely Van Vlack

    Imagine the doctor telling you that your spouse has 40 minutes to live. What do you do? How do you feel? How do you cope? Tune in to this week’s episode as entrepreneurs Gary and Keely Van Vlack share their story of how close Keely came to dying and how Gary coped. 
    After Keely miraculously got over the hump and her health started to improve, the reality of life and running multiple businesses kicked in. Gary had to run his business and Keely’s business while learning how to roast coffee in one day. And make sure their customers liked it. 
    This conversation will show you what’s important, how relationships matter, and how to accomplish more in less time. 
    Website: Gkcapitalinc.com
    Website: Renew.global
    Key Takeaways:
    Purpose drives business
    Power of relationships
    Follow the graph
    Freedom of a well said “no”
    Empowering people to do what they can do
    Topics:
    Stewardship of time—guarding your yes and no. leaning into God, and not getting caught up in all the good things, and leaving no time and space for the God things.
    A yes and a no in covenant- what it looks like to wait on God as a couple in life and business. How to lead in times where you are not 100% aligned. Hence, one has a yes, and the other person has a no. what to do, and how to handle that together and stay out of strife.
    How to handle tremendous growth in business. – doing more with less. Avoiding burnout and strife in marriage due to commitments and deliverables. Creating an environment and culture around you to aid in your success, and keeping accountability.
    Gary and Keely, the dynamic duo behind G.K. Capital Inc., bring a unique fusion of passion, expertise, and heart to the world of business consulting & start-up’s. With a combined experience of over 30 years, they have honed their skills in fostering strategic growth and sustainable business practices. Their journey is not just about building successful businesses; it's about cultivating relationships and empowering individuals. Their approach is deeply rooted in their values of service, integrity, and commitment, ensuring that each decision and strategy aligns with these core principles.
    Together, Gary and Keely embody the spirit of entrepreneurial stewardship. They are not only business owners and investors themselves, but also dedicated mentors who believe in the transformative power of disciplined stewardship. Their expertise in identifying growth opportunities and maximizing investments is matched by their dedication to their faith and community. This blend of professional acumen and personal values makes them a formidable team in the business world. As they share their knowledge and passion with others, they continue to inspire and lead with a vision that transcends the traditional boundaries of business, focusing equally on profitability and the enrichment of human lives.
    Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. https://www.thetandembook.com/
    Need to create more time to dedicate to your marriage? Download this free guide. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/boundaries
    Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/lets-talk

    • 37 min
    Ep. 183 - How To Hire and Train Millenials with Robert and Kay Lee Fukui

    Ep. 183 - How To Hire and Train Millenials with Robert and Kay Lee Fukui

    If you’re like many business owners, it’s been hard to find good employees. It seems like the younger generation doesn’t want to work and are lazy. Or at least that’s what they say. But think about this, the baby boomers were also considered lazy when they were in their twenties and thirties. 
    They were the hippies. Love not war. 
    In other words, the older generation always thinks the younger generation is not as hard working as they are. So maybe it’s not that the younger generation is lazy, they have a different set of values that they want to see reflected in their job. And if you look at what they value, you may find that they align well with yours. 
    If you adjust how you lead the younger generation, you will find that you develop the most loyal employees and attract more of them. Listen to this episode to learn more. 
    Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. https://www.thetandembook.com/
    Need to create more time to dedicate to your marriage? Download this free guide. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/boundaries
    Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/lets-talk
    Key Takeaways:
    According to the Gallup Poll research on the workplace, this is what millennials want in a job:
    1. Millennials don’t just work for a paycheck — they want a purpose.
    2. Millennials are not pursuing job satisfaction — they are pursuing development.
    3. Millennials don’t want bosses — they want coaches.
    4. Millennials don’t want annual reviews — they want ongoing conversations
    5. Millennials don’t want to fix their weaknesses — they want to develop their strengths.
    6. It’s not just my job — it’s my life.
    Gallup report https://www.gallup.com/workplace/238073/millennials-work-live.aspx

    • 29 min
    Ep. 182- The Painful Journey of Entrepreneurship with Paul Hastings

    Ep. 182- The Painful Journey of Entrepreneurship with Paul Hastings

    What would it be like to go from working 95 hours/week to 0 in an instant? This week’s guest Paul Hastings is here to tell us about it. The sudden change wasn’t by choice. A tragic health issue forced him to stop cold turkey. In the months of recovery he was able to reconnect with his wife, be present for his young kids, and re-evaluate what was important in life. 
    Every busy entrepreneur needs to listen to this episode. We never think things like this can happen to us but sometimes our body says something different. Hear how Paul has re-defined success and the steps he’s taken to make sure his business doesn’t consume his life. 
    Podcast: https://compelledpodcast.com/
    More info: https://paulhastings.me/
    Key Takeaways
    Worked 95 hours/week and was always willing to take on another client
    Arm stopped working and caused severe pain
    Forced to stop working and bringing in income
    Had daily conversations with his wife during recovery
    He realized he had tunnel vision and lack of boundaries
    Re-defined success and set boundaries to make sure he could be present for his wife and kids
    Makes less money but has more time
    Don’t let business dictate your life
    Bio
    Paul Hastings is an award-winning podcaster, filmmaker, speaker, and entrepreneur. He is the host of "Compelled", a podcast sharing unique stories about God transforming Christians around the world. His work has been featured by Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk, The Gospel Coalition, Christianity Today, World Magazine, American Family Association, The Christian Post, and more.
    Paul, his wife, and their four children live near Austin, Texas and attend Redemption Hill Church.
    Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. https://www.thetandembook.com/
    Need to create more time to dedicate to your marriage? Download this free guide. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/boundaries
    Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/lets-talk

    • 38 min
    Ep. 181 - How to Avoid Disaster: Why Working with Your Spouse Can Spell Trouble for Your Business!

    Ep. 181 - How to Avoid Disaster: Why Working with Your Spouse Can Spell Trouble for Your Business!

    According to the 2022 U.S. Census Bureau, a little more than 10% of businesses are run by husband and wife teams. And that number is continuing to grow as more and more couples are realizing they can make more money working together than in separate jobs or businesses.
    However, working with your spouse is not as romantic as some may think it is. Neither is it the beginning of a disaster for the relationship like others may feel. Should all couples work together and why do so many fail? Tune into this week’s episode to find out. But what I can tell you is once couples learn how to work together, they make the best team possible. Working with the person you trust the most, who wants you to win as much as you do, and have complementary skills, will take your business to the next level. 
    Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. https://www.thetandembook.com/
    Need to create more time to dedicate to your marriage? Download this free guide. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/boundaries
    Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/lets-talk
    Key Takeaways
    Work together because
    It’s romantic
    Cheaper than hiring an employee
    One persuades the other to do it
    Some learn to make it work. Others are “been there, done that, never again.”
    Why do they fail? Conflict.
    Don’t take things personal
    Lack of agreement stunts business growth
    Most arguments are a zero sum game
    Me Vs Her
    The word, “US,” was a game changer
    Boundaries between work and home

    • 31 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
14 Ratings

14 Ratings

Gweedoe ,

We are not alone!!

It is great to have a podcast the helps married couples who own businesses. There are so many challenges as a couples that are beyond just day to day business operations. Robert and Kay-Lee have a great background in helping entrepreneurs work better together!!!

Parker, krystal ,

This is my go-to podcast!

As a busy entrepreneur, wife, mom, and follower of Jesus, "Thriving in Tandem" is my go-to podcast. The biggest challenge for married entrepreneurs isn’t simply succeeding in business; it’s succeeding in all areas of life. Robert and Kay Lee Fukui understand this struggle deeply and address it with authenticity, compassion and a little humor. Each episode takes listeners behind closed doors, revealing real stories, heartfelt conversations, and the hard moments that every married couple faces, especially under the added stress of building a business.

The Real Jerry Dugan ,

Must-Listen for Entrepreneurial Couples

If you are an entrepreneur married to another entrepreneur, then this show is a must-listen! Robert and Kay Lee share their insights, struggles and successes, in running businesses as a married couple. Their conversations will help you succeed as well in both business AND marriage.

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