Ep. 186 - Is Your Business An Idol? With Stu and Trish Fuhlendorf
Thriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
Release Date: 07/17/2024
Thriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
We often talk about priorities and what truly matters beyond the demands of business, but last week, we faced a real-life test of those values. In this episode, we recount the moment our condo fire alarm blared in the middle of the largest firestorm Southern California has ever seen. With fires raging near Malibu and just north of us in Pasadena, the air was thick with smoke and ash, triggering an immediate sense of fear: Could the fire have reached our building? The urgency of the moment forced us to act fast. What do you grab when you might lose everything? What does that reveal about what...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
Work-life balance is something many of us desire but often struggle to achieve. Over time, many have resigned themselves to the busyness of life, accepting it as the norm. However, the truth is, while work-life balance is simple to define, it can be mentally and emotionally challenging to implement. In this episode, we explore two key factors for achieving balance: 1) Defining what work-life balance truly means for you and your spouse, and 2) Making intentional, daily choices to support that vision. We also share our own daily habits that help us maintain balance, even when life and business...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
In this episode, Robert and Kay Lee Fukui discuss five common business mistakes that hinder growth and profitability while affecting work-life balance. They emphasize the importance of focusing on profit margins rather than just sales volume, the pitfalls of discounting, the necessity of tracking financial metrics, the value of hiring help, and the need for training employees to ensure business success and personal fulfillment. Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our (audio) book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
In this episode, we discuss how entrepreneurs can often become so focused on their business that they miss the warning signs that both their marriage and business may be at risk. It's crucial to address small issues in your relationship early on before they grow into larger problems that are harder to fix. Tune in to learn about the key red flags you and your spouse should tackle to ensure both your relationship and business thrive together. Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our (audio) book Tandem: The married...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
Life can be a roller coaster ride with many highs and lows. Both Darryll and Brittany Stinson share their stories of successes and challenges growing up, marrying each other, building an amazing business, and raising four kids. Darryll was a Division 1 football and basketball player and voted Top 100 college athlete in 2008. When things went south his senior year, he landed in rehab, got clean, and eventually found Brittany at his local church. Since then, they have used their gifts, skills, and experience to help others find and use their stories to change the world. Website:...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
Procrastination can have benefits in business if reframed and used strategically. It is often driven by fear of failure or the desire for perfection. However, when we finally take action, we often realize that the process wasn't as bad as we imagined. Procrastination can also provide a learning period and allow for improvements to be made before launching a product or service. It can also be an opportunity for a relaunch, bringing new energy and updates to a project. In this episode, we share our own experience of procrastination and how we turned it into an advantage for our...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
Today, we will dive into the keys to becoming a high-performance leader at home and in your business. It’s all about taking control of your health that will make you perform better, think better, sell better, and lead better. Who doesn’t want that? But don’t worry, we’re not going to try and persuade to take on the newest diet and exercise fad that won’t last. It’s about helping you create the right stress free way of eating well and getting the right amount of exercise that fits you. Something that you can make as a way of life that feels natural to you. This week's guests...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
When it comes to the inability to create work-life balance for many married business owners, there are issues common to most. The good news is that there are common solutions as well. These solutions don’t come from us solely but from other married entrepreneurs who’ve been able to sustain better balance in their lives. This is the two-year anniversary of our book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. and the announced release of the audiobook version. Go to our website and grab a copy. Need to create more time to dedicate to your marriage?...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
Imagine returning home after a hectic day at work, eagerly anticipating the warm embrace of your little girl, only to find her turning towards your spouse instead – a moment Tamra Andress vividly describes as her 'Tombstone moment.' It's a heart-wrenching realization that strikes at the core of one's identity. You may have pondered the question: What would my Tombstone say when I’m gone? Typically, it revolves around being a loving spouse, parent, and friend. However, for Tamra, the harsh truth unfolded as she saw her role as a loving mother in jeopardy. Her daughter's choice to seek...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
In this episode, we’re cutting through the noise and getting real. No matter how successful your business becomes, it won't guarantee happiness. It won’t make your spouse love you more, improve your kids' behavior, or earn you genuine admiration. We've seen too many marriages falter under the misconception that achievements lead to happiness. The truth is, happiness is a choice. If you want to cultivate a thriving marriage, raise a healthy family, and build a great business, you'll need to make intentional—and likely different—choices. Want to live a better balanced life and win in...
info_outlineEntrepreneurs have an independent streak for sure. I have it, you have it, we all have it. It’s why we can’t see ourselves in a 9 to 5 job. It’s why we’re so successful in what we do. We take the bull by the horn and make it happen.
But independence can have an ugly side to it. It can cause us to become a little arrogant, isolated, and hurt our most important relationships. Meet this week’s guest Stu Fuhlendorf and his wife Trish. Stu took three companies IPO, made tons of money and was a wall street darling.
Until ego, alcohol, and the love of success got the better of him. It almost landed him in jail. Thankfully, there is a happy ending to this that you’ll have to listen for yourself.
Website: www.redemptionhills.com
Business: www.lifeverse.com
Book: “Wall Street to Well” https://www.amazon.com/Wall-Street-Well-Transformation-Fortune/dp/1949021432
Key Takeaways:
-
Stu wasn’t driven by money and things but by accomplishments
-
The accomplishments were great but fleeting
-
Turned to alcohol which made him angry
-
Guided 3 companies through successful IPOs
-
Faced a lawsuit from the S.E.C.
-
Trish had to lean on her faith and prayer to stay married
-
She put her happiness on the shelf
-
Instead of arguing she chose silence
Questions:
-
Why were you such a jerk?
-
Trish, I know you got saved first and that was a big part of the reason you stuck it out with Stu, but many good Christian women would have still left, how were you able to stick it out?
-
I’m sure you tried to get him to quit drinking and change the way he was living, did you just give up trying to convince him at some point?
-
While not going to the extremes you did, many entrepreneurs have the same mentality you had. What would you say to them?
-
Pastors can fall into much of the same trap that you did in your career, what do you say to them?
Stu serves as the Senior Pastor of Redemption Hills Church in Littleton Colorado and is the Cofounder and COO of Lifeverse. His first book, Wall Street to the Well, was released April 2019. After working in corporate business for twenty years, he earned an M.Div. from Denver Seminary and was called into full-time ministry combining his love of Jesus with 21st century technology. Stu lives in the foothills of Colorado with his wife, Trish. They have two grown children who divide their time between school, work, and fun.
Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. https://www.thetandembook.com/
Need to create more time to dedicate to your marriage? Download this free guide. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/boundaries
Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/lets-talk