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Started/run Small Business With Husband; Everything In His Name; Questioning My Role/ownership

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Location: New York, USA.

Hi all. My husband and I currently run a small business together. There is a lot of nuance to the situation, but basically we created this business together, four years ago. My husband decided we needed an LLC at that time and went forth in doing that with solely his name (he said it was just easier). When I learned of this I honestly was pretty neutral about it, even though I had thought we would share ownership. I struggle with learning disability and mental health stuff often, and at that time I was in a new season of life and pretty depressed. So I never knew what I was capable of or what I could commit to, so when he put the work in to get the LLC and put it in his name I think I was kind of okay with that and maybe relieved? Though I still pushed back to ask why he did that and he said it was just easier and if I ever decide I want to be a technical co owner we could just easily change that together. So anyways we continued and now years down the line we have grown a lot. The business is doing well, and it’s now the livelihood for us both. The business has accumulated a bit of debt to get started though and personally as well to support ourselves during this time so even though the business is growing/successful we are a mess financially. Our relationship is extremely hard and quite tumultuous. We truly don’t communicate well and honestly I feel like I work my ass off for this business to make it what it is. He does most of the production and back of house/operational tasks, but I do the majority of the customer service and pretty much creativity/vibe. I also do my fair share of production. Anyway we have been having big issues and it has me questioning how stupid il being here. I don’t know the first thing about any of this so I’m not even sure what question to ask, I’m sorry if this is nonsensical.

I think I want a better understanding of what my rights are here, or what would be the smartest thing for me to do to protect myself/what I have worked so hard to create. I’m very stressed and honestly kind of unhappy but the community we have built is what keeps me going. I don’t want to throw it all away if that’s going to leave me high and dry, but I am willing to walk away if what I’m currently doing is just going to hurt me more in the long run. I’m working basically full time, I don’t get paid, he doesn’t get paid really either, but he’s an owner and I’m not even technically an employee I guess so what does that make me? We are legally married and there’s quite a lot of business debt but the business and business accounts are under his name so what does all of this mean for me?

Or if this is too much here maybe even just starting in pointing me towards where I should turn to for advice would be so appreciated.

Thank you!

submitted by /u/iamgordawn
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