How Couples Navigate Wellness Center Challenges Together - A Conversation with My Husband
Feb 24, 2026You've been planning this for years. The vision is so clear you can practically touch it. But when you sit down with your spouse to discuss opening your wellness center, they have one question: "Does this actually make financial sense?" And suddenly your beautiful vision collides with their spreadsheet reality.
In this remarkable episode from Kendall's "What the Wellness Center?!" series, recorded four years ago, she invites the person who lived this tension with her: her husband Tim. With his engineering degree and MBA, Tim represents the analytical perspective many wellness practitioners' partners bring to entrepreneurial discussions. The result is an unusually honest conversation about navigating different risk tolerances, money mindsets, and the reality of what business ownership means for a family.
Tim opens by describing his initial reaction to Kendall's wellness center plans: "Overall, it sounded like a great idea... my biggest fear was, is it going to work out on paper? Does this add up? Is this going to be a sustainable business model?" This reflects a common dynamic—the vision-driven entrepreneur paired with the numbers-focused partner.
The turning point came when vision started becoming reality. As Tim explains: "Until really you got those first practitioners to sign on... at that point it started to feel real... oh yeah, this does add up and it's going to cover costs and it's going to work out." But even more important than signed agreements was witnessing shared passion: "When the providers came on board and then you see that they're as passionate about it as you are... at that point, it's going to work."
One of the most touching moments comes when Tim reflects on what advice he'd give his earlier self: "Trust Kendall. She's amazing. She's passionate, and she's not going to let this business fail. She's going to make it work." This encapsulates a truth many couples must navigate—sometimes belief in the person matters more than confidence in the plan.
Tim also addresses a common assumption: that his business education would directly transfer to helping with Kendall's wellness center. "I went back to school for business, and so I thought I'd be able to use a lot of that... there's a lot with corporate finance that doesn't apply directly to starting a small wellness center." His recommendation? Bring in experts—business coaches, marketing specialists, third-party advisors who can provide guidance that's easier to hear from someone outside the marriage.
The conversation turns vulnerable when discussing the hardest parts of business ownership for the family. Tim's answer will resonate with many partners: "You can't really turn it off... it's your baby. Sometimes it's hard to turn off when things come up on the weekend or evenings or on your days off that you have to deal with." Kendall acknowledges this reality while also noting it was intentional: "It's so integrated into our lives, which is on purpose... but what Tim's saying is the reality of being a small business owner—you can't just work from 9 to 5 and then not think about the business."
Perhaps the episode's most memorable moment comes when Kendall describes Tim asking for her business plan and her proudly presenting... her vision board from graduate school. "It just displays how different we are, how differently our brains work and that both are so valuable," she reflects. This moment perfectly captures how complementary differences can strengthen rather than undermine a venture.
Kendall concludes with three key pieces of advice for couples: believe in each other and trust that the vision-holder will figure it out; bring in third-party advisors for business decisions; and enjoy the journey, celebrating what you've created together.
If you're navigating the tension between your wellness center dream and your partner's financial concerns, this episode offers both practical strategies and emotional validation for a journey many couples travel.
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About Anna Rudel
Anna Rudel, L. Ac is the owner and founder of Lokahi Acupuncture Clinic in San Jose California, founded in 2003. Anna is a master organizer and clinician, and as a Coach she specializes in working with Clinic Owners in the state of California, and Acupuncturists and Acupuncture Clinic Owners, or groups wanting to add Acupuncture worldwide, as well as teams that need support with employee retention and satisfaction. Born in the UK, Anna has traveled extensively in Asia and now has a thriving multi-practitioner clinic in the US!
Anna's Website and Links
- Website: https://lokahiacupuncture.com/
- Learn Group Coaching: https://www.wellnesscentercreators.com/group-coaching
- For info about Individual Coaching: https://www.wellnesscentercreators.com/individual-coaching
About Kendall Hagensen
Kendall is a Somatic Mental Health Therapist, Multidisciplinary Clinic Owner and Business Coach. She specializes in, and is passionate about, working with healthcare professionals to create the businesses of their dreams. Big goals always have a psychological component beneath the surface, so Kendall uses her background in Somatic Psychotherapy and EMDR Therapy mixed with Business Coaching tools to help clients develop a healthy relationship with their business and their strength as a leader.
As someone who lives with a chronic illness herself, Kendall feels that health happens best within community, which is why she takes a holistic, integrative, and collaborative wellness approach to her personal and professional life.
Kendall’s Web/Social Links