Playing to Our Strengths: Tag-Teaming the Challenges – How Our Unique Skills Fuel Success

Running a family business can be like trying to organise a surprise birthday party for someone who already knows all your tricks. It's a blend of love, frustration, laughter, and the occasional We’ll agree to disagree. But when you throw in complementary skills, that delicate balance becomes the magic ingredient for long-term success.  

In this post, I’ll take you through the ups and downs of running an in-home care business with my 74-year-old mother. Spoiler alert: our unique strengths make us unstoppable (most days), and we've learned a few tricks to survive the madness with our sanity intact. 

The Power of Teamwork in a Family Business 

 Working with family can be both a dream and a challenge. My mother and I run an in-home care company together, and while it’s been a wild ride, the power of teamwork has been our greatest strength. The secret? Knowing how to divide and conquer. 

What Makes Family Businesses Different? 

The line between work and personal life is blurrier than ever. Some days, you’re brainstorming about marketing strategy over dinner; other days, you’re working out supply orders while discussing your next family holiday. However, when you lean into your strengths, those blurred lines can become an advantage. 

 - We know each other’s quirks: There’s no getting to know period, and we’re upfront about our strengths and weaknesses.  

- Trust comes built-in: With family, there’s a sense of security in knowing the other person has your back no matter what.  

- It’s personal: Our business isn’t just about profit; it’s about legacy, values, and mutual respect. That’s motivation you can’t find in any other partnership. 

Understanding Our Unique Strengths 

 If we were both the same, it wouldn't work. Fortunately, we bring very different skill sets to the table, and that’s our secret sauce. Here’s how we split things up: 

Your Strengths vs. Mom’s Strengths 

Me: I’m the tech-savvy one. I manage marketing, social media, and the logistics side of the business. I’m also the let’s innovate and think big person. I like streamlining processes, integrating new technologies, and finding creative ways to improve efficiency. 

Mum: She’s got experience on her side. She knows our clients inside and out, having lived and breathed the aged care industry for decades. She’s the heart of the business—building relationships, showing compassion, and bringing old-school reliability to everything she touches. 

How These Strengths Balance Each Other Out 

We may not see eye-to-eye on everything, but we certainly respect each other’s strengths. While I’m over here dreaming up our next business expansion, Mom’s keeping us grounded with her wealth of knowledge about our clients and industry. 

List of Our Strengths: 

1. Vision vs. Experience – I push for growth, while she ensures we never lose sight of what’s most important: our clients. 

2. Digital Know-How vs. Personal Touch – I leverage tech to streamline, while she’s all about face-to-face communication. 

3. Creativity vs. Practicality – I’m the what if dreamer; she’s the let’s keep it realistic voice of reason. Together, we’re a perfect balance. 

The Joys of Tag-Teaming Challenges  

Believe it or not, tag-teaming the day-to-day challenges in our business is fun. Yes, we have frustrating moments, but overcoming those hurdles together makes the victories so much sweeter. Here’s why we’ve turned challenges into an opportunity to strengthen our partnership: 

Problem-Solving Together 

Picture this: Our team is overwhelmed, and an important client has a last-minute request. What do we do? I’m diving into the logistics and figuring out scheduling software updates while my mother is on the phone personally reassuring the client that everything will be handled smoothly. 

 Together, we make sure nothing falls through the cracks. 

Shared Laughter 

Every family business has its share of inside jokes, and ours is no exception. Laughter truly is the best medicine, and there’s no better feeling than sharing a giggle with someone who gets your humor—especially after a long day. 

Here’s what makes our teamwork enjoyable: 

- Celebrating Wins – Whether big or small, every accomplishment is a shared one. 

- Creating New Traditions – From spontaneous team lunches to inside jokes that lighten the mood, we’ve built a workplace culture full of joy. 

- Learning from Each Other – Working together has taught us valuable life lessons we never expected. 

Managing Frustrations – When Strengths Clash 

Let’s be real: it’s not always sunshine and rainbows. There are days when our differences feel like hurdles instead of advantages. Generational gaps, different communication styles, and clashing opinions on certain business decisions have all made for a bumpy ride. 

Generational Gaps and Tech Troubles 

One of our biggest ongoing frustrations? Technology. I’m all for implementing new systems to keep things efficient. My mother, on the other hand, would rather we stick to what’s familiar. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard, Why do we need another app for that? 

Establishing Boundaries 

We’ve had to learn the hard way that not every conversation should revolve around work. Early on, we struggled to separate family time from business time. These days, we’ve set some pretty solid boundaries: no business talk during family dinners! 

Communication: The Glue That Holds Us Together 

 If we’ve learned one thing, it’s that clear communication is the backbone of running a family business. Without it, even the best strengths can turn into weaknesses. 

How We Stay on the Same Page 

1. Weekly Check-ins: We’ve made it a habit to have formal business meetings once a week. This keeps us on track and ensures nothing gets lost in casual conversation. 

2. Giving Each Other Space: We’ve found that giving each other the room to make independent decisions in our areas of expertise is crucial. We trust each other’s judgment. 

3. Conflict Resolution: We don’t shy away from disagreements, but we’ve learned to approach them with patience and understanding. After all, we know each other’s communication styles like the back of our hands. 

4. Playing to Our Strengths for Future Growth 

   
   

As we look ahead, we’re confident that our unique strengths will continue to drive our business forward. Running a family business isn’t without its hurdles, but when we lean into what we do best, we know we’ve got a bright future ahead. 

Adapting to Change 

In-home care is an industry that’s always evolving. As technology and client expectations change, we’re confident that our combined strengths—my mother’s wisdom and my passion for innovation—will help us continue to thrive. 

Setting Future Goals 

We’re not slowing down anytime soon. Together, we’ve set goals for expanding our services and reaching new clients while always staying true to our values. And with our tag-team approach, there’s no challenge we can’t face head-on. 

Celebrating Our Differences 

 At the end of the day, the key to our success has been embracing our differences and leaning into our individual strengths. Working with my mother isn’t always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. We’ve built something special—a family business that reflects our shared values and our unique strengths. 

 If you’re running a family business, my advice is simple: celebrate your differences, communicate openly, and lean into your strengths. Because when you do, the sky’s the limit! 

Final Thoughts 

Running a business with my 74-year-old mother is equal parts chaos and comedy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. We’ve mastered the art of playing to our strengths, and despite the challenges, our business is stronger because of it. If you’ve ever thought about going into business with family, just remember: embrace the chaos, tag-team the challenges, and enjoy the ride.