Starting a Kids Program Business With a Family (Ep. 28)

Episode 28 · July 9, 2026 · Guest: my husband

Yes, you can start a kids program business while raising a family. Go in with clear eyes. It will take predictable time from both of you, your partner may end up working in it for no pay, and money gets less certain for a while. Get solid at home first, agree on what each person carries, and build on the side before you jump.

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This is my written companion to Kids Enrichment Business: The Family Cost of Growth. It is part two of my conversation with my husband. Part one covered how much work this business really is. This one is for couples: what the business takes from the person at home, how to stay close through a demanding season, and what to ask each other before you start.

What does the business take from the person at home?

Predictable time. My husband named it right away. With two regular jobs you know when work starts, when it ends, and that the weekend is yours. A business runs around the clock, and the more aggressive your goals, the more of that time goes.

For me the scarce thing is energy. I used to think it was time. I run out of energy long before I run out of hours.

His way of carrying it is simple and I have borrowed it. Go in knowing some things will be left undone. There is always another task waiting, so finish today's, rest, and pick up tomorrow. And people will leave your team. Be ready for that too.

How much help will my partner really need to give?

More than cheering. When you start, you need help from somewhere, and mine came from people. It started with him.

In the first stretch I taught the classes and planned the classes, and there were only so many hours. Wherever I was short on time or hands, he filled in, including teaching. None of it was paid. I said on the show that it can be 20 hours a week on top of a full-time job.

Do that math together. 40 hours at a job plus 20 in the business is a 60-hour week for the person who is "just helping." Over a 10-week term, that is 200 hours. Say the number out loud before you ask for it.

The way to shrink that number is to stop doing by hand what a tool can do. That is why we built enrops. See how it works, and read when to stop teaching every class.

How do we stay close during a demanding season?

Learn each other's patterns and have a few moves ready. My husband described his. He watches for the signs that a hard season is taking more than it should. Then he picks one: step in and help, give room, or check in. Sometimes the move is to close the laptop. Name your own signs and your own moves before you need them.

He also told me something I needed to hear. When his own job gets busy he falls out of the loop, and then he sees the business growing and wishes he were part of it. So share the wins at home. Your partner helped earn them.

I asked him the difference between tolerating someone and supporting them. His answer: supporting means easing their mind. You do not have to work in the business to do that. Listen, give space, help where you have the skill. My part of the answer: pour from a full cup. Take care of yourself before you carry someone else's dream.

Should we start while we have young kids or family to care for?

Think hard first. My husband was direct. If you have young kids, a relative who needs care, strain at home, or a job at full tilt, this may be the wrong season to start a business together. Expect to take financial hits early, and money stress is hard on couples.

I agree with him. A business tests a partnership the way a new baby does. It does not make a shaky thing stronger. So get solid first: your health, your routines, your savings, the two of you. If you still have a job, build on evenings and weekends and put the odds in your favor. Here is what the first 90 days look like.

Is it better to start before you have kids?

If it is only you right now, step on the gas. Once other people depend on you, risk feels riskier.

Here is the other side, and my husband made this point. It is never too late to go after work you love. My family is the reason my ambition means something now. When it was only for me, it felt hollow. I am also faster than I have ever been. When I have two hours, the work gets done in two hours.

What should we ask each other before we start?

Ask these seven questions, in this order, and write down the answers.

1. Are we solid right now, the two of us?
2. Can our household absorb uneven income for a while?
3. How many hours a week will the partner at home give, and for how long?
4. Who covers the kids when something urgent hits?
5. What are the signs that one of us is overwhelmed, and what is the move?
6. How will we share the wins?
7. Can we build this on the side first?

If you are starting from zero, read how to start a kids enrichment business next.

What would you say to the partner behind the scenes?

My husband's message to the person in his seat: your work counts, your partner appreciates it, and it pays off if you keep going. He had one for me too: the work is good, and it is enough. I am passing that to you. It is true for you too.

Listen or watch: Spotify · YouTube · Apple Podcasts

Frequently asked questions

Who should listen to this episode?

Founders and their partners, together. It runs about 38 minutes and works best as a conversation starter for the two of you.

Does my partner have to work in the business?

No. Some people do not have the skills for it or the room for it. Listening, giving space and keeping home steady are real support.

Does growing up around a family business help?

I have noticed it does. People whose parents ran a restaurant or a shop tend to bring more understanding and flexibility to this life. If you did not grow up that way, your kids will.

How do I take work off my partner's plate?

Move registration, payments, rosters and waivers into one place so nobody is doing them by hand at night. enrops is free for businesses. See pricing.

Create your first registration. Free for businesses. Live in under 5 minutes. Or click through a sample registration first.

Arielle Hammond, Ed.D. is the founder of enrops and host of The Youth Enrichment Leader, presented by enrops.