I didn’t realize I married an entrepreneur.

Heck, we didn’t even know that word when we married over 40 years ago.

I knew we were dreamers, rarely content with the status quo. Neither of us really liked working for others, preferring to forge our own path. Little did I know where this incredible – and sometimes bumpy – journey would take us.

The Early Years: Dreams and Detours

We started a church in the 80s (an entrepreneur venture, though NO ONE called it that back then!), which didn’t make it. The disappointment and stress that followed almost did us in.

We stumbled back to Texas to live with my in-laws, disillusioned and depressed. That was fun, said no one, ever. Gratefully, we all still liked each other, even after living in a 1500 square foot house with three kids under 8 years old.

Those dark months taught us something crucial: our marriage was more important than any job.

Finding Our Footing

Mark shifted to a new career and later, in 1998, started his own company providing assisted living for Alzheimer’s patients. I started my own Marriage & Family counseling practice simultaneously. We should have had our heads examined, but there was SOMETHING that drove us both to be independent… and just a little stubborn.

As Mark’s business prospered through the inevitable ups and downs, I also grew in my approach to marriage, parenting, and business. I realized that most people simply need practical tools and straight talk, not endless appointments.

It’s all about results.

What I Believe About Marriage

Commitment is everything—you can’t have one foot in and one foot out of marriage. A strong marriage is essential to enduring the ups and downs of entrepreneurial ventures, but it’s about so much more than surviving business stress.

Home should be a place where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued– a secure foundation from which to pursue life’s dreams. In a healthy marriage, we can become the very best version of ourselves while building something meaningful together.

The Square Peg Problem

As we expanded our entrepreneurial ventures, we felt like square pegs trying to fit into round holes–whether at church or with friends. Very few people understood the unique pressures of business life, especially a startup, on a marriage. 

We stumbled forward for many years, determined to find—and enjoy—success in all areas of life. By the grace of God, we found tools that brought us together, helped us appreciate each other, and increased the level of love and peace in our home AND business.

The Fairy Tale Truth

When our daughter was little, I read classic fairy tales to her. Some ended with, “And they lived happily ever after.” But I always added, “Actually, Hannah, that’s not true; they worked really hard on their relationship.”

We expect that running a business involves hard work and outside expertise. So why do we think that a marriage shouldn’t involve some work? The truth is that both startup businesses and marriages benefit from the wisdom of those who are a little farther down the road.

Where We Are Now

We moved full-time to Colorado in December 2020—a dream that took decades to realize. Mark’s assisted living company had grown to employ over 300 people, but the pandemic changed everything. The impact of shutdowns created a perfect storm. After surviving on life support for most of 2021, we pulled the plug on the business that should have continued long after we were gone. 

Mark bought a porta potty business here in Colorado in 2021—quite a pivot from assisted living, but entrepreneurship means adapting to new realities! All three of our kids are grown and in loving marriages (hallelujah!).

After the business setbacks during the pandemic, we’ll be working for years to come. But I love helping individuals and couples become all they desire, sharing the hard-won wisdom we learned the hard way, including navigating unexpected challenges and major pivots together.

I really love mentoring people at every stage of life. Whether you’re young in years or young at heart, there’s something magical about watching people discover their true potential in life and relationships.

What Matters Most

We waited 13 years for a grandchild. Part of our Colorado dream was hoping we could one day live close to our grandchildren. That dream came true in 2023, when we welcomed our grandson. We absolutely love being Mimi and Papa to him, and soon to a surprise addition. A granddaughter is due to arrive in September. After so many years of infertility, we are overflowing with joy at this little miracle. 

I’m incredibly proud of the family we created. We aren’t perfect by any means, but Mark and I prioritized our marriage and family, and now our adult children are some of our favorite people to spend time with. We continue to learn and practice relationship skills as we’ve added in-laws and now navigate being grandparents. My heart is so happy seeing how each of our kids picked up on my deep passion for healthy marriages, placing a high priority on their own marriages. When our daughter was dating her future husband, she asked my advice as they discussed the potential of marriage. I shared a version of my response in a post, “How do you know who to marry?”

Nature is where my soul is happiest, especially in the mountains. Mark was intrigued by this curly-haired girl who enjoyed backpacking two summers back in college! Hiking and camping have been activities our family has enjoyed for years.  I love moving my body–yoga, walking, cycling. I have a goal of visiting all the National Parks.

What Drives This Passion

My heart for healthy relationships was shaped early. My parents divorced when I was a senior in high school after my dad had an affair. They never repaired their relationship, which created stress for the bulk of my adult life.

I originally wanted to help other families going through divorce, but I discovered my real passion was helping couples build something beautiful before crisis hit. The Harvard study on happiness confirms what I’ve always believed: the key to happiness is the quality of our relationships.

The tools and insights I share, though initially learned through the work of others, were forged in real life, through real struggles, with real stakes. Learning techniques like the speaker-listener method was a game-changer, allowing us to work through difficult conversations without escalating. These discoveries became the foundation of everything I teach.

Training and Superpowers

My formal training includes a Master’s degree in counseling, licensing in California and Texas, and 18 months of post-graduate supervision specifically focused on working with couples and marriage. Unlike many therapists who list couples work among a long list of skills, I specialized deeply in marriage and relationship dynamics, training that now informs every aspect of my relationship coaching practice. I now work as a coach, but I am no longer licensed, so that I can work with people virtually anywhere.

I work with couples and individuals who want to thrive in all aspects of their lives. I especially love working with entrepreneur couples (one or both are business owners). Whether building a business, pursuing creative dreams, or simply being ambitious about life, you don’t have to choose between personal success and relationship satisfaction.

My superpower is helping couples work through complex issues and create strategies that help them pursue their work and dreams while making their relationship a priority. If your relationship is in serious trouble, I can help you find excellent therapeutic resources. But my passion is taking marriages from good to great and helping individuals build the kind of life and relationships they dream about.

Building a Legacy

What drives me is legacy. I want couples to build something that lasts—relationships their children or friends will want to emulate, marriages that become the secure foundation for future generations. When you invest in your relationship, you’re not just changing your life; you’re changing your family’s future trajectory.

Kathy hosts a podcast to provide support for entrepreneur couples, “Committed: The Entrepreneur Marriage.” She has also been interviewed on several podcasts, sharing strategies to help couples prioritize their marriage. You can find interviews on The 4 Habits Podcast, Main Street Success Stories, and Breaking Bad Communication.

Here’s what I know after four decades of marriage and business: The secret ingredient for true success in life isn’t just hard work or talent—it’s having the right tools, support, and the willingness to keep growing together.

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Ready to write your own “happily ever after” story? Schedule a free consultation to discover the best path forward. 

For more information, email Info@kathyrushing.com  or click here to book your free consultation. 

Note: Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, I work with couples virtually (on Zoom) across the U.S. If you’re in the Fort Collins area, you can meet with me in person at my office in Old Town or on Zoom – whichever you prefer.