…lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

—Ephesians 4:1-3 

I was sitting on the couch one late night in the Fall of 2010, head down on the laptop. I had come home from the office in time to see the kids before they went to bed, as I tried to do two or three nights per week and then poured myself back into work. Mary Jo must’ve known something was up by my body language because as she headed up to bed, she was a little more persistent than normal.

“Why don’t you come to bed too?” she said. 

I responded that I’d be up soon; I just had to get something done. 

She pushed back. “What are you working on?” 

I replied, “It’s nothing. I won’t stay up too late.” 

She knew I was lying. When she pushed back again, I told her the truth: I was working on my resume. 

Six months into the business, I felt that I was failing in business but more so at home and in my faith. Our savings were steadily approaching zero. I was working 100+ hours per week and not putting nearly enough time into my family and my faith. She very calmly walked over, closed the laptop, and said, “You’ve got this; you’re almost there.” She suggested that I get a good night’s sleep, stay home to see the kids when they wake up in the morning, and go into the office refreshed. 

Mary Jo’s wisdom was spot on. I was exhausted and frustrated, but most of all, I was insecure, and her words of confidence in me were exactly what I needed to press on. 

Within a few weeks, we landed our first project and, a few months after that, started turning a profit. The rest, as they say, is history. If not for her confidence in me, we would have a very different story. Now, to be clear, it wasn’t blind faith. She likely had heard me speak of potential opportunities, and she knew we were almost there. But at that time, I couldn’t see it—thank God she could. 

Mary Jo had always been my rock, and once again, she was right. Mary Jo believed in me when I didn’t have enough confidence left to believe in myself. Starting a business and putting in the hours required to make it real is difficult. She carried the bulk of our family burden in those early years. Her gracious attitude and support meant that our marriage grew stronger during a phase of business that drives many couples apart.

Who is your rock? 

As you navigate your entrepreneurial journey, it’s important to have someone who has your back and will tell you the truth. For many people, that is their spouse, but for others, it isn’t. I have a good friend whose father is his business rock. Just know who your rock is.