Running a business with your spouse brings a mix of opportunity and pressure. Success is shared, setbacks feel personal, and work can easily follow you home. For Emily and Dean Ives, that reality has shaped both their relationship and their approach to running the business. These high school sweethearts now own eight Mosquito Squad Plus territories, following an acquisition of four additional territories in January, and they service most of Virginia and some of North Carolina. Their experience reflects how couples with complementary strengths can build a business together when roles are clear and expectations are aligned. “The biggest reward is the ability to build something together,” Dean said. “Not just as business partners, but as a married couple, as a team.” Emily says working side by side has required flexibility as the business continues to grow. “It’s challenging, but it’s equally as rewarding,” she said. From First Territory to Full Partnership Dean entered franchising early, purchasing his first  Mosquito Squad Plus territory with his mother when he was just 18 years old. Emily was not involved at the time and had no plans to become a business owner. As the business expanded, Dean reached a point where he needed operational support. Emily, who was working a corporate job at the time, recognized that the skills he needed aligned closely with her own experience. “I just knew Dean needed a manager, and I was really good at managing,” Emily said. She stepped into the business, and their partnership shifted from informal support to shared ownership and responsibility. Opposites that Strengthen the Business Emily and Dean describe themselves as opposites, a dynamic that has become one of their biggest advantages. Dean focuses on ideas and growth, while Emily brings structure, process and execution. “He’s the idea guy, the entrepreneur,” Emily said. “I’m very Type A. I’m the process person that brings the vision to life.” As the business grew, Emily moved from managing everything herself to delegating and building systems that could support scale. Dean became more involved in key areas as new growth required greater collaboration. Their ability to adapt their roles has helped the business evolve without creating unnecessary friction. The Rewards and the Realities of Working Together For Dean, the most meaningful part of owning a business together is the shared sense of purpose. “I didn’t get married to not see my wife,” he said. “The ability to do this together, lockstep along the way, has been the most rewarding part.” Emily acknowledges that this same closeness can also be challenging, especially as responsibilities increase. “Our relationship and our roles are always changing,” she said. “You have to grow with the business.” They credit their long-standing friendship for helping them navigate those changes. Before becoming business partners, they were best friends, a foundation that has helped their relationship withstand the pressures of shared ownership. Leveraging the Mosquito Squad Plus Franchise System Emily says the franchise model has been critical to their success, particularly as someone who came from a corporate background. “That’s why you join a franchise,” she said. “You’re not trying to reinvent the wheel.” Emily has taken an active role within the system, serving on the franchise advisory council and participating in the Mosquito Squad Association of Franchises. She views corporate support as a tool that franchisees should actively use rather than overlook. Dean says that what sets Mosquito Squad Plus apart is the people behind the system. “You’re often talking to another business owner who has laced up the same shoes,” he said. “They come home with the same problems and have workshopped innovative solutions.” Advice for Couples Considering Franchising Together Despite the challenges, Dean encourages couples to pursue business ownership together. “There’s no better time to start than now,” he said. Emily offers a more measured perspective, shaped by the risks they took early on. “Try to come up with a plan,” she said. “Talk through the business model and where each of you fits.” Both emphasize the importance of defining roles, setting boundaries and remembering that the business exists to serve the family, not replace it. “You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and then you’ll laugh again,” Dean said. “But do it together.” For more information, visit:  https://1851franchise.com/mosquito-squad .