I think the one thing that has most contributed to my success in life as an entrepreneur is that I love my wife!

This thought came to me this past week as I counseled with three young businessmen who are keen to get going on their business ideas. All three are married and, it seems, all three have wives that don’t really get it when it comes to the importance of their husbands business ideas.

You’ve probably heard the joke, behind every successful entrepreneur is a surprised mother-in-law. I believe that behind every truly successful entrepreneur is a happy wife. (I think the same applies for female entrepreneurs and happy husbands but I can’t speak for them.)

Wives of entrepreneurs need to feel loved. If you read Gary Chapman’s The Five Love Languages, you will know what I mean. Wives need to know that they are the husband’s most important priority, more so than business. They need to know that their wish is his command, even when it comes to letting go of business opportunities. They need to know that no matter what may come their marriage takes priority over business.

I had big plans for my wife and I to own a medical clinic. However, it was not until she had come to that conclusion herself, that we were able to do it.

So my advice to my three friends was: “Love your wife!” Find out what makes her happy and do it. The business opportunities will sort themselves out in due time. Sure, you may miss some, but in the long run you will find true success, a happy marriage, good kids and work you find fulfilling. This is what counts more than your balance sheet.

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Even so husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself” (Ephesians 5:25-28).