In honor of National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day, we’re shining a spotlight on Christa Bullock and Jose Ruiz Mora, founders of Connecting Remodeling Inc. We’re delighted to share an insightful conversation with Christa and Jose, a couplepreneur team who transformed their combined expertise into a thriving business during the pandemic. Their story reveals both the challenges and rewards of running a family business, from establishing work-life boundaries to leveraging their partnership for exceptional client experiences. Keep reading as they candidly share their journey, wisdom, and the dance moves that sometimes save the day when business and family life intertwine.
1. Tell us a little bit about your family-owned small business and how it began.
We’re Christa and Jose, and Connecting Remodeling Inc. was born during the pandemic. With 20 years in maintenance, Jose was inundated with calls for his hands-on construction expertise, and with my background in hospitality and management, we recognized a unique opportunity. His rare integrity in the construction world, combined with my commitment to a stellar client experience, inspired us to launch a business homeowners can truly trust. We set out to transform remodeling from a stressful ordeal into a positive, life-changing experience.
2. How do you establish clear boundaries between work and family life, especially when family members work together daily?
As a couplepreneur, we try to set clear work hours and carve out a weekly date night. We make a genuine effort to keep business out of the bedroom, even though it doesn’t always work that way. When we bump heads, we remind ourselves that we’re in this together; a loss for one of us is a loss for both.
3. What specific strategies have you implemented for succession planning, and at what point in your business journey did you begin these conversations?
We didn’t jump into succession planning right away, and in hindsight, we wish we had. We’re still in the learning phase and are gradually refining our approach. Right now, we’re taking small steps by better defining our roles, documenting our processes, and holding meetings to discuss long-term goals. It’s a work in progress, but we’re committed to building a strong foundation for the future.
4. How do you handle disagreements or conflicts between family members in the business while preserving both professional relationships and family bonds?
When conflicts arise, we try to give each other space with a short “cooling off” period, and sometimes we literally pass the baton so each of us can share our thoughts without feeling overwhelmed. We also rely on our big picture meetings to remind ourselves of our shared vision. Most disagreements tend to be simple misunderstandings, so we always make time to talk things through and nurture our team spirit. As most married couples know, communication truly is everything! Sometimes we even break into a few dance moves to help each other laugh off the stress.
5. What unique strengths has your family dynamic brought to the business that might not exist in non-family enterprises?
Our family dynamic brings an extra layer of trust and commitment to every project. We truly understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, which leads to seamless teamwork, personalized service, and genuine care for our clients’ needs. Our clients notice this unique dynamic, and it gives them the reassurance they need when inviting someone into their home.
6. Looking back, what’s one thing you wish you had known or done differently when you first started running your family business?
We didn’t grow up as entrepreneurs, and honestly, we wish we’d found mentorship sooner before diving in. It would’ve helped to know how to navigate and pinpoint valuable resources like Hello Alice and the SBA. Every step taught us something new, though. Looking back, we also wish we’d set clearer boundaries and processes earlier to handle challenges more smoothly and balance work and life better. We hope sharing our journey can help others on their path too.
7. Anything else you’d like to share about your business?
At Connecting Remodeling Inc., we’re more than a remodeling company, we’re a family dedicated to turning spaces into true homes while making the process enjoyable. We’re passionate about quality, innovation, and building lasting relationships. As we grow, we’d love for you to follow our journey on social media, where we share homeowner tips, a glimpse into working with your spouse, and some amazing before-and-afters.
Ready to grow your family business? Sign up for Hello Alice today—completely FREE—to connect with expert mentors and access powerful resources specifically designed to help small business owners thrive! No cost, just community.