Putting my dreams on hold to watch her bloom.
Hey everyone, this is Josh, CFO of Lauren Ashley Design and husband to a fantastic entrepreneur. In this post, I will tell y’all about what it is like to be the husband of a woman entrepreneur.
When Lauren and I, met the knowledge I had about interior design was limited. I myself was preparing to begin law school. So, I always pictured myself being the “big shot” lawyer. This was not the path our lives took. During law school, we lived apart, but during my final year, we got married. Lauren subsequently joined me, and a few short months later we learned that we were having a baby. We made the decision to move back to Lauren’s hometown. This is where Lauren Ashley Design began. I worked odd jobs while waiting to take the bar. Unfortunately, my score on the bar exam would have required us to move to another state for me to practice. Lauren came to me with the idea of starting her own business. At first, I was hesitant, but I eventually told her to go for it. She soon proved that the business would become more than just a hobby. Lauren Ashley Design began to explode. Soon, it became necessary for me to put my dreams on hold and back my wife 100%.
To see my wife blossom into a shining entrepreneur is genuinely something I enjoy. Every day I wake up and get to stay at home with my family, which is the greatest blessing of my life. People often do not understand the way our life works. The fact that Lauren is the breadwinner and I am the homemaker strikes them as odd. For me, our life is perfect for our family. Being a lawyer was my dream since I was a little kid, but a dream even more significant than that one was my dream to be a father and a husband. So, being able to back Lauren in the pursuit of her goal gives me greater joy than even accomplishing my dream could have given me.
Looking back on Lauren Ashley Design’s humble beginning to where we are now, the journey has been inspiring. During the pandemic, while many were struggling in their business Lauren was growing hers. She took her passion and gave people something to take joy in. Times have been dark the past year, but Lauren Ashley Design has been able to provide some joy in this unprecedented time. Lauren has pivoted from a traditional designer to a designer focused on helping other designers. Her adaptability is a testament to her determination. I am proud to have been able to play a small role in her success.
Choosing to support my wife came natural for me. She has always supported me, and when it came time for me to support her it was an easy decision. To watch her be a mother, a business owner, and a wife, and a student at the same time is inspiring. She is truly an amazing person. I am honored to be her partner on this journey!
As women’s history month draws to a close, I am blessed to have a wife who has already made history in her own right. She is a first-generation college graduate. She will complete her Master’s degree, and this summer will begin her Doctorate. Not only has she created a successful business, but she has achieved educational goals that many told her she would be unable to complete. Lauren’s example our daughter can use as she grows up.
I am proud to be the husband of a strong woman entrepreneur.
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