Marriage and Business Don’t End, They Evolve.

Most people think a thriving marriage and business partnership just needs hard work and luck. But for Martin and Heila Rowen, the real magic and challenge was learning to stay together when everything felt like it was falling apart.

In this heartfelt episode, Justin and Sarah sit down with the Rowens to talk about the journey from young love in South Africa to raising kids, moving continents, and building a life in the US, together. Martin and Heila share how they navigated the early years of entrepreneurship, the strains of building something new, and the deep rift that nearly ended it all.

From almost calling it quits to finding a new kind of love, they share raw and honest stories of what it means to rebuild without losing each other. They talk about what they’ve had to unlearn about success and marriage, how faith and therapy played a role, and how they’re still learning to check in and truly hear one another.

Whether you’re juggling work and family, building something new, or feeling the distance in your own relationship, this episode is a powerful reminder: it’s not about avoiding the hard stuff; it’s about moving through it, together.

Takeaways:

• The power of checking in before it’s too late
• Why the provider mindset can mask disconnection
• How therapy and vulnerability can transform a marriage
• The freedom of seeing work as just one of life’s adventures, not the whole story
• The quiet relief of knowing you’re not alone in the struggle

Things We’re Learning (and Unlearning):

• 31% of couples in business together cite emotional burnout and role confusion as the biggest threats to their relationship.
• Couples who attend marriage counseling see a 70–80% improvement in relationship satisfaction.
• Even the strongest partnerships need regular gut checks and the courage to say, “Something’s not right.”

👉 Book Martin mentioned: Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott — Read it here
👉 Curious about the Enneagram? The Enneagram Institute’s free resources and descriptions
👉 Here’s a great article on how to support your marriage when you’re also building a business: Read the article