National Couples Day

Running a business together might not be every couple’s idea of quality time-but for Sarah and I, co-founding Ford Search Partners has been one of the most rewarding (and revealing) journeys of our relationship.

On National Couples Day, we’ve taken a moment to reflect on what it really means to own something together-not just a home or a car, but a business with a beating heart, a growing team, and a future we’re shaping side by side.

What it means to own something together

There’s a particular kind of accountability that comes from owning a business as a couple. You’re not just building a company-you’re investing in each other’s growth, navigating high-stakes decisions, and staying grounded through the ups and downs. It’s equal parts pressure and privilege. And while it can blur the lines between home life and work life, it also sharpens your sense of shared purpose.

Navigating a healthy working relationship

Like any strong partnership, ours is based on trust, clarity and the occasional reality check. We’ve learned that clear roles and boundaries are essential. Sarah leads from the front with clients and candidates; I stay behind the curtain making sure the engine runs smoothly. We’ve built a rhythm that works for us-one that lets us challenge each other professionally without carrying it into dinner.

Do we always get it right? No. But we’ve got better at knowing when to switch off and when to step in. We still surprise each other with ideas, and more importantly, we’ve learned not to take things too personally in a work context. That’s been a game-changer.

Pros of our collaboration

One of the biggest benefits is alignment. There’s no internal politics or jockeying for position – we’re in it together. We know what each other values, we share a high bar for quality, and we both want the business to succeed for the right reasons. We’ve created a culture we genuinely believe in, and that authenticity translates to how we work with clients and how we lead our team.

Drawbacks-and how we minimise them

The obvious drawback? It can be hard to switch off. A quick chat in the kitchen can easily turn into a strategic debate – or a relaxing dog walk suddenly becomes a full-blown business meeting with challenging discussions on direction and delivery. There’s also the risk of the business becoming all-consuming, where your personal relationship starts to orbit the company, not the other way round.

To counter this, we’ve set firmer boundaries. We schedule in time that’s not about work. We also check in regularly – not just about metrics, but about how we’re both feeling. It’s easy to fall into the trap of running at full tilt and forgetting the human stuff. We try not to.

Proudest achievements

For us, the proudest moments have been the ones where we’ve seen the business make a real difference-whether that’s helping a candidate land a life-changing role or watching a new consultant on our team grow in confidence and capability. Building a business with values, where people matter and standards are high, is something we’re genuinely proud of.

What we’re looking forward to

The journey is far from over. We’re excited about deepening our niche in the accountancy sector, growing the team further, and investing in the next generation of talent. We’re also exploring ways to mentor others who want to build something meaningful-together or solo.

Ford Search Partners is a business built on partnership, resilience and shared ambition. And today, on National Couples Day, we’re raising a glass (okay, maybe a coffee) to every couple out there who’s brave enough to go all-in-both in life and in business.