3 Simple Strategies to Strengthen Your Marriage While Growing Your Business (Plus, 15 Fun Ways to Say ‘I Love You’ on a Budget!)

As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get swept up in the hustle, the late nights, and the constant pressure. Before you know it, you’re scrolling social media at 8 PM because you and your spouse have seemingly run out of things to say or simply numbing out from the exhaustion of it all. Been there, done that. 🤭 That’s why I want to share 3 simple strategies to strengthen your marriage while growing your business (plus, 15 fun ways to say ‘I love you’ on a budget!)

The reality is, building a business can take a toll—especially on relationships. I’ve been at this entrepreneur thing for the past 13 years, more than 80% of my married life. Today I’m spilling the tea on what it takes to keep the romance alive amidst busy schedules, running kiddos to gymnastics, burning the midnight oil, budgeting talks, and feeling broke… and trust me, a few date nights a year isn’t going to cut it!

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As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get swept up in the hustle, the late nights, and the constant pressure. Before you know it, you’re scrolling social media at 8 PM because you and your spouse have seemingly run out of things to say or simply numbing out from the exhaustion of it all. Been there, done that. 🤭

The reality is, building a business can take a toll—especially on relationships. I’ve been at this entrepreneur thing for the past 13 years, more than 80% of my married life. Today I’m spilling the tea on what it takes to keep the romance alive amidst busy schedules, running kiddos to gymnastics, burning the midnight oil, budgeting talks, and feeling broke… and trust me, a few date nights a year isn’t going to cut it!

Now, let’s jump into the three ways to strengthen your marriage while growing your business.

 

1. Establish a Quit Time

We implemented what I call a quit time. And yes, this includes social media. Turn off the laptops, shut down the phones—let’s have a quit time.

When you’re running your own business, the lines between work and life start to blur. It’s completely understandable—we’re passionate about what we do, and it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and hustle. I’ve been there. Those nights when the workday feels like it never ends, when you’re catching up on emails at 10 p.m., or scrolling social media just to numb out. I get it.

But I also realized that without intentional boundaries, all that work we love so much starts to seep into personal space that we really need to protect. Sometimes, you look up and wonder if you even have hobbies anymore. That’s when I came up with this idea of a quit time, which I implemented in my second year of business.

The idea isn’t just about finishing up tasks—it’s about mentally clocking out and shifting gears. It’s drawing a clear line between work mode and life mode. So when you’re with your loved ones, you can be truly present—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

A 2021 Gallup study found that entrepreneurs are more likely to experience burnout than salaried employees—largely because we have trouble switching off. We’re constantly checking email, responding to messages, thinking about the next big idea, or worrying about what we didn’t get done.

Over time, this takes a toll—not just on us, but on our relationships too.

 

Switching Between Work Time and Life Time

Now, I have entrepreneurial friends who talk about integrating life and work, and I think that’s beautiful—shapeshifting between mom hat, CEO hat, and everything else. But when I became a mom, I realized I really needed clear boundaries. It took a couple of clunky years, but I found that I function best with structure. I don’t like trying to do both at once—it leaves me pulled in too many directions, overwhelmed and overstimulated.

Before having kids, my quit time was more straightforward—6:00 p.m., laptop closed, done for the day. Now, I work in pockets—sometimes after bedtime. Whatever your work season looks like, the key is to create a clear boundary.

Right now, I clock about 20 hours of work per week. That might be during nap times or what I call the “night shift”—after the kids are in bed. It’s focused, quiet, and honestly, I like it. I’m more efficient.

If you don’t have kids or you’re in a different season, maybe your quit time is a set hour in the day. If you’re working a side hustle, you may relate to the pockets approach. Either way: When are you working? When are you not working? What does it look like for you to thrive—at work and at home?

 

Making Your Quit Time a Daily Deadline

And also—make sure you’re maintaining that personal life, and your hobbies, outside of your work. It’s very easy and tempting to work on your business whenever you can, all the time. You love it—especially in those early years. I totally get it. Or if you don’t have kiddos and you have what feels like an endless amount of time and energy to pour into things. But A) it won’t always be that way, and B) the habits we’re establishing early in our business—or even just right now, today—can live with us. Whether they’re good habits, or habits we don’t want to keep.

So I really believe that setting this quit time helps you achieve more in the long run.

Here’s how this works: the quit time becomes like a daily deadline on your work. And you will be amazed at how much more productive you’ll be when there are time constraints on your work. When you know you have a quit time, a hard stop, you’ll eliminate certain things from your business or stop wasting time. You won’t find yourself scrolling as much. You’ll be more intentional with your to-do list because you have to be.

Craig Jarrow says, “Have you ever noticed how tasks expand to fit their deadline?” Whether it’s a simple task or a complex project, it always seems to get finished right before the deadline, right? They take just about as much time as you give them.

That’s the idea of this daily deadline—your quit time. It’s actually going to make you really productive and help you get more done in less time. So I highly recommend it.

 

Creating a Shut Down Ritual

Let’s make it practical. You can create a shutdown ritual. Some call it a wind-down routine. I like to call it Profit & Pause (yes, I made that up—because why not?). This could be as simple as reviewing what you accomplished today, jotting down your tasks for tomorrow, and physically closing your laptop. It’s like putting a bow on the day, signaling to your brain that it’s time to switch gears.

That mental reset? It works wonders—not just for your relationships, but for your mental well-being.

Here’s what mine looks like:

1. I jot down everything I accomplished that day. Not only does it feel good, it actually helps build resilience in your brain.

   • And if you write things down just to check them off? I see you. I am you.

2. I make a list of outstanding tasks and move them to another day.

I do this all pen-to-paper first, but then I transfer everything into my favorite business tool: Asana.

Seriously, I use Asana for everything—from answering emails to meal planning. It’s great for assigning deadlines, tasks, even team collaboration. You can prioritize, rearrange, and breathe easy knowing it’s all organized.

Bonus: mythical creatures pop up when you complete tasks (thank you, Asana developers—love that for us).

But honestly, what I love most about Asana is not having a running to-do list in my mind. If you’re someone who constantly feels like you’re forgetting something, or you lie awake thinking about work? Game changer. I put it all in Asana, and then I let it go.

So again—step one: Establish your daily quit time. It’s something you can start today to boost your productivity and love on your loved ones.

 

2. Remove Email From Your Phone

I do not have email on my personal cell phone. I also don’t have any work apps, and I turn all notifications off. When you read this, I know—gasp—you’re shocked. Everyone’s like, “Wait, what?”

But really—I don’t have work email on my phone. And yes, this has created a little extra work for me. If I’m traveling, I have to print directions or my schedule for speaking events because I don’t have instant access to my inbox. It takes a little planning ahead. But I’m telling you: it has been amazing for me.

I’m not always five seconds away from logging into work. Because the second you read an email, we all know—your brain flips right back into work mode. Whether you’re out to dinner with friends, settling in for a movie, or just trying to unwind on the couch, that little notification can pull you straight back into your to-do list.

And even worse? If it’s a negative email—something got messed up, a client is upset, a package went to the wrong place—it can ruin your whole night.

We’ve all had that experience. And I don’t want that anymore. I can deal with it tomorrow.

But the moment you check that inbox, you’re no longer present with the person sitting right across from you. Instead, you’re mentally somewhere else—talking to your tax guy, Amy the client, or Lisa the new inquiry.

 

Your Relationships Don’t Want To Compete With Your Inbox

Let’s be real: no one wants to feel like they’re competing with an email inbox for your attention. Checking your phone is no way to strengthen your marriage.

It was a total game-changer for me when I realized: my phone doesn’t have to double as my office 24/7. I want mental space, clarity, boundaries that allow me to turn off. That’s why, in my second year of business, I removed work email from my phone. I decided to keep it strictly on my computer.

Now—yes, I do have my personal email on my phone. But I don’t use the Gmail app. I have to manually log into Gmail. So if there’s something from my daughter’s school or something urgent, I can check it—but I’m not getting constant pings. No push notifications. No red bubbles. Zero email dings.

The freedom? Priceless.

Honestly, it’s kind of like the old-school days. I mean, I’m showing my age here, but we didn’t even have email when I was growing up. We had a landline. There’s something beautiful about not being accessible 24/7.

And it’s not just about reducing stress—it’s about reclaiming time and being fully present with the people who matter most.

 

Feeling Resistance? I Want to Lovingly Challenge You

So, if you’re still tied to email on your phone like it’s a life raft, I want you to take a second and consider the mental toll it might be taking. Give yourself permission to disconnect from work when you’re at home. You deserve that. Your relationships deserve that. And guess what? Your productivity might actually go up when you let yourself fully unplug.

Now—if you’re someone whose type of work really does require being reachable all the time (like if you’re a wedding planner), you might be thinking, “Shanna, I have to have email on my phone.”

But I want to lovingly challenge you: Do you? Really? Ask yourself—are there ways to set boundaries that still align with the work you do?

 

Practical Ways To Make This Work

1. List your hours in your email signature.
This is such an easy way to let people know when they can expect a response. A big part of the stress around email is that feeling someone’s waiting on us. So, set realistic expectations. Communicate clearly. That way, even if you’re not responding right away, they know when they’ll hear from you.

2. Use an out-of-office reply on weekends or during your off times.
Even something simple like: “I’m out of the office for the weekend and will respond on Monday.” It’s professional, friendly, and sets a clear boundary.

3. Communicate with clients how you’ll communicate.
Set those expectations upfront—whether it’s text, email, Slack, whatever. Let them know what channels you’ll be checking and when. If you don’t check emails after hours, tell them that. Keep it clear, simple, and consistent.

And in the rare (really rare) case of a true emergency, you can create an exception. Let them know: “You can text me if XYZ happens.”

I’ve actually had clients text me before, and I’ve emailed them back instead. I know that might sound extreme, but people just want to know how to communicate with you. When we clearly communicate what to expect, everyone feels more grounded.

Here’s another little Shanna hack:
In this season of motherhood, I regularly work after the sun goes down. That’s just how I’ve chosen to structure my time—so I can be present with my girls during the day.

But that doesn’t mean I want clients getting emails from me at 11 PM. Especially because I work with a lot of entrepreneurs—and I teach on time management, boundaries, and building a life outside of work. So I want to model that. I want my actions to reflect the boundaries I teach.

So, I’ll either save drafts to send the next day, or I’ll use a tool like Boomerang to schedule emails during normal work hours.

 

3. Commit to a Regular Date Night

And I said regular. That doesn’t mean it has to be weekly—it can be monthly, quarterly—just something consistent.

No one date night has to be fancy. Just make it happen and make it consistent.

Even during the toughest times in our marriage—financially—when we were literally living paycheck to paycheck (or below), pinching pennies, barely able to afford takeout, let alone gas, we still set aside $10 each week for a date night. This was before we had kids, before childcare was a factor, and we just figured out how to make it work within those limits.

We have Googled “cheap date ideas” so many times and created a running list of fun, low-cost ways to make memories. And honestly? It was really fun. Whether it was sipping a frappuccino while aimlessly wandering through a bookstore, hitting up $2 movie nights, enjoying local festivals, or reliving our childhood playing skee-ball at the arcade—those moments meant so much to our marriage. And I still love those kinds of dates. I’d do them now, and I love doing them with our kids, too.

Of course, now that we do have kids—and don’t have family nearby to watch them—date nights under $100 are a lot trickier. Babysitters are not cheap.

But if you have family close by, don’t hesitate to ask for help. I also know families who rotate date nights. One family watches all the kids one week, and then the next week, you send your kids to their house. It’s a great way to share the cost and make date nights possible for everyone. Get creative.

 

Date Nights Strengthen Your Marriage

Because the truth is—it’s so easy to let the busyness of life take over, especially when you’re an entrepreneur. You get swamped with school pickups, client calls, making the perfect classroom Valentine… and you forget to press pause and just be with your partner.

If we don’t make the effort to spend time together, it’s really easy to drift apart.

I’m so grateful to call my husband my best friend—but there have been seasons when I took that connection for granted. Like any relationship, it needs attention. And over nearly 15 years of marriage, we’ve learned how to nurture that. We’ve built something really strong and special, and I don’t take that for granted. We’re still best friends, and I’m so, so thankful for that.

We’ve learned that it’s the little moments—the inside jokes when we’re exhausted and losing our minds—that remind us why we started this journey. Talking about our businesses, our goals, our dreams… or just sitting together in silence and soaking in a moment of peace. That’s what keeps the bond strong.

Don’t wait for “someday.”
Make someday today.

There’s no better time than now to start investing in the health of your relationship—even if (honestly, especially if) you feel low on time, low on funds, or low on energy.

 

Practical Ways To Make This Work

1. Get it on the calendar.
Don’t leave it to chance. Plan ahead. Lock in your date nights when you can. If you need childcare, arrange it early. The earlier you plan, the easier it is to follow through.

2. Add it to the budget.
Set aside even just $20 a week—that adds up to enough for a babysitter and one night out a month. Start small. You don’t need something elaborate. It’s not about spending a lot—it’s about spending time.

3. Make a list.
Think of it as your date night bucket list. Write down fun activities, places you want to try, restaurants, events, creative ideas—so when date night rolls around, you’re not stuck asking, “What do you want to do?” and defaulting to dinner again. (Although I do love a good dinner out.)

Having a list gives you fun, ready-to-go ideas for when that time finally comes.

 

15 Fun Ways to Say ‘I Love You’ on a Budget (To Strengthen Your Marriage)

Now for what you really came for…

I know—15 ways to love on your spouse that don’t break the bank or take a ton of time (but still help strengthen your marriage).

These are things Kyle and I have incorporated into our marriage over the past 15 years, and you truly can’t go wrong with any of them. I’ve even ranked them by cost, because hi—I’m Shanna—and I want you to know you don’t have to spend a fortune to keep the spark alive.

 

Date Night Ideas 1-7 (For Less Than $10!)

1. A good puzzle.
Perfect for quiet, shared time. I’m currently eyeing a beautiful butterfly puzzle on Amazon (I’ll link it in the show notes). And you can never go wrong with a good ol’ True South puzzle—my fave!

2. A two-person game.
We’re currently loving Monopoly Deal. There are so many fun, competitive, bonding two-player games out there—just Google “two-person games” and explore. We actually make this a tradition—every year on Christmas Eve, we open our stockings and I always get Kyle a new game. This past year? Monopoly Deal. Highly recommend.

3. XO XO notes.
A few years ago, we found these cute sticky notes in a little shop that said “XO XO,” and now we just call them that—XO XO notes. Nothing says “I love you” like a handwritten note in an unexpected place. If you’re into love languages, this is a combo of words of affirmation and gifts. Just a little “thinking of you” note—something sweet, funny, or encouraging—on the bathroom mirror or even in the fridge (Kyle leaves them there for me). It’s a simple but meaningful pick-me-up.

4. Conversation starter cards or a DIY question jar.
There are decks you can buy with fun prompts, or you can make your own. Write down questions like, “What was your most embarrassing moment?” or “If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be?” Toss them in a jar and pull one during dinner or a date night. It’s fun, it’s free (or under $10 if you buy a deck), and it sparks meaningful or hilarious conversations.

5. Fancy coffee + used bookstore stroll.
This is one of our favorite things. Grab a fun coffee drink and head to a local used bookstore. I love hunting for interior design books, and we’ve found kids’ books for five cents! It’s a simple little outing that feels cozy and fun. I recently scored a Dolly Parton book I’m obsessed with—so you never know what gems you’ll find.

6. A sunset walk.
No pressure, no rush—just you two, walking and talking. It can be your neighborhood, a nearby park, or a bustling downtown area. Just stretch your legs, get some fresh air, and be together.

7. DIY movie night at home.
Pop some popcorn, light a candle, and turn your living room into a cozy theater. This is something we love doing with our oldest daughter. Pick a movie, snuggle up on the couch—it’s an easy, sweet way to connect without going anywhere.

 

Date Night Ideas 8-12 (For Less Than $50!)

8. Day of Favorites
This is one of our absolute favorites—we call it a Day of Favorites. You spend the day doing your partner’s, your spouse’s, or even your kids’ favorite things. We love doing this for birthdays, anniversaries, or special occasions like December birthdays in our family.

For us, this looks like playing a round of disc golf (my husband loves disc golf), mini golf, hitting up an arcade, and always grabbing a sweet treat or a good coffee. The idea is to plan three or four little adventures around what that person loves. It’s simple, personal, and so much fun.

9. Half-Priced Happy Hour List
Yes, you need one of these! We created a list of restaurants we love and found out when their half-priced nights or happy hours are. Think early 2000s Applebee’s half-price apps, Taco Tuesdays at your favorite taco spot, or sushi night deals.

It’s all about a little planning. Know when the deals happen—like, “Hey, half-price sushi is Thursday night”—and plan your dates around that. Delicious and budget-friendly.

10. A Just-Because Gift
Pick up something small and thoughtful, just to let them know you’re thinking of them.

Kyle brings me flowers regularly, and I love it. It doesn’t have to be expensive—just a little pick-me-up. Whether it’s fresh flowers, their favorite snack, a quirky t-shirt, or a little something that says, “Hey, I thought of you”—a Just-Because Gift goes a long way.

11. Curate a Playlist
Create a mix of songs that are meaningful to your relationship. Maybe it’s songs from when you first started dating, music that makes you think of each other, or a mix that just brings joy.

We love playing ours on the way to a date night or even when we’re just driving to pick up the kids. We’ve even made playlists for our kids! It’s such a sweet, simple way to connect. Bonus: It’s completely free.

12. Attend a Local Event or Festival
Look up a nearby event—think farmer’s markets, art shows, street festivals.

We check out our local mom blog (highly recommend finding one in your area!) and it’s always full of great ideas for events, both for families and for date nights. You can also just Google: “What’s happening this weekend in [your city]?” and see what pops up. Get out of the house and enjoy something new together.

 

Date Night Ideas 13-15 (For Less Than $100!)

13. Dinner Out
You can never go wrong with dinner out—because let’s be real, not having to clean up the kitchen is always a win. It’s simple, classic, and always feels like a treat.

14. Be a Tourist in Your Own Town
This one is so much fun. Make a list of places you wouldn’t normally visit, but that someone visiting your town would. Maybe it’s a restaurant that’s hard to get into, a touristy spot that’s usually too busy, or something just slightly inconvenient that you’ve never made time for. For one special night, lean into the experience—pretend you’re visiting for the first time and be a tourist in your own town.

15. Choose Your Own Adventure Date
This is one of our absolute favorites. Kyle has done this for birthdays and random date nights, and I love it every time.

Here’s how it works: you plan three stages of the date, with two different options for each stage. We’ve done it where I get to choose each time, and we’ve also done it more mystery-style—pick one and see what unfolds.

Example:

• Stage One: Grab a coffee or grab a sweet treat.

• Stage Two: Go to a movie or go bowling.

• Stage Three: Lay under the stars with a blanket or sit on the porch and talk about your favorite part of the day.

You don’t know exactly how the night will unfold—it’s planned but still spontaneous. It’s playful, thoughtful, and so much fun. It’s a great way to strengthen your marriage.

 

Strengthen Your Marriage While Growing Your Business

And there you have it—15 of our favorite ways to love on each other that don’t break the bank. From full-blown date nights to everyday little moments like leaving notes, these are simple, meaningful ways to show up for your person.

I hope this list gave you some fresh ideas—things you can try this week, this month, or tuck away for later.

But before I let you go, I have to bring it back to what I’m known for… the money.

While this special Valentine’s episode was all about how we’ve worked to strengthen our marriage amid the entrepreneurial chaos— It turns out there is actually a strong correlation between a healthy marriage and income. We want you to strengthen your marriage too! Research from places like Columbia University and Harvard have shown that strong marriages can lead to better entrepreneurial success. So, healthy relationships aren’t just good for the heart, they are good for the bottom line too! 

Wanna do something great for your business today?! Go love on your loved ones ❥

 

📌 Resources Mentioned: 

Asana

Boomerang 

Butterfly Puzzle

True South Puzzles (this Dolly Parton one is 😍)

Monopoly Deal 

xoxo notes 

Conversation cards