When Your Husband Treats Dinner with His Friend Like a Hostage Negotiation

Jo Rawald • March 2, 2025

Stop Letting Old Baggage Run Your Business

This past Saturday, I had to practically shove my husband out the door and, that’s when it hit me. This is exactly what too many entrepreneurs do with their businesses.

My husband, Brett, had just come home at 4:30pm from a 5-day instructor trip (he’s a 787 Instructor Pilot for American Airlines, which sounds fancy, but basically means he’s been stuck in a flight simulator for almost a week straight). Normally after a trip like that, Brett comes home, unpacks & repacks his suitcase, and immediately becomes one with our couch – remote in hand, fully committed to doing absolutely nothing.

But this time was different.

One of Brett’s best friends, Derek, happened to be in Miami (a half-hour drive from us), and Brett really wanted to meet up for dinner at 6:30pm and a couple of beers before Derek headed home.

Sounds simple enough, right?

Except Brett was circling the conversation with me like he was about to ask permission to go on a bachelor party weekend in Vegas – not wings and beer with an old buddy. We’re talking nervous energy and all kinds of “only if you’re okay with it” disclaimers.

Why? Baggage.

You see, this is Brett’s baggage talking. His second wife, bless her heart (yes, that’s a Southern-term for “that Bitch”), had a whole rulebook for him. No beers with the guys. No hanging out without her. No female friends on Facebook. Basically, if she wasn’t involved, it wasn’t happening.

Me? I’m the opposite. I practically tossed Brett’s shoes at him, handed him his car keys, and told him to go have fun. I love my husband but, I did not sign up to be his one-woman entertainment committee. That’s way too much pressure for any spouse.

So what does any of this have to do with your business? Everything.

Because I see entrepreneurs do this all the time. You drag around someone else’s rules – old baggage from a micromanaging boss, a controlling former business partner, or some Instagram “expert” who declared that if you are not posting 3 times a day, your business is basically doomed.

Let me say this loud and clear. You get to build your business your way.

Want to work 3 days a week and take August off? Do it.
Want to sell your offers like you are telling your bestie about a killer Nordstrom sale? Yes, please.
Want to raise your prices without explaining yourself? Absolutely.

Business isn’t supposed to feel like a never-ending list of “shoulds” and “musts.” You started this thing for freedom – not to recreate the corporate cubicle in your living room.

That’s exactly why I made you something, The Entrepreneur Permission Slip, because sometimes, seeing it in black and white helps you believe it.

It’s your reminder that you are the CEO, the CFO, the Head of Vibes, and the Chief Decision Maker all rolled into one. So who exactly are you waiting on?

Go ahead – download it, print it, sign it, and stick it where you will see it every single day. And while you’re at it, write your top 3 business goals right on it. Because when you stare at your goals every day, they stop being “someday” dreams and start being “get it done already” plans.

And if you are ready for more tools, strategies, or just a real talk session about building your business on your terms, you know where to find me.

Explore my free resources, book a quick call, or just hang out on my site and see what speaks to you.
Whatever you decide, I’m cheering you on every step of the way.

P.S. If you’ve ever had to unlearn someone else’s “rules” in business, I want to hear about it. Hit reply or drop me a DM. I guarantee you are not alone.

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