You can pick up the latest issue of Inspired Woman at these Dan’s Supermarket locations: North Bismarck; South Bismarck and in the Mandan store. Read about husbands and wives that work together, like this couple:
Mom-and-Pop Shops
As far as I know, the original mom and pop shops were farms. Husbands and wives worked together to bring in the harvest and tend to the animals.
All of my grandparents and several aunts and uncles made their living off the land. Everyone has retired from the actual farming profession, but one couple needed a hobby.
Names: Tom and Coleen Schulz
Business: Buffalo Coulee Ranch raises and sells bison. It started as a hobby, but today it’s a business with 120 cow/calf pairs, 6 bulls and 90 yearlings in the feed lot.
How long they have been working together: Tom started farming with his father-in-law in 1973. Coleen worked full time as a nurse until 1996. “I would come home from work and combine, run the equipment,” said Coleen. “I took my vacations in the field.”
“She is probably one of the best combine operators around,” said Tom.
Is there one clear boss: “Tom is the decision-maker,” said Coleen. “We talk things over, but he has the final say and takes care of the business end.”
Would you do it again: “Not at my age,” said Tom. “But they’re not as much work as cattle. Bison calve themselves, they never overeat and they’re never sick.”
Some thoughts: “Whatever business you have, you have to work together,” said Coleen. “When I worked (as a nurse), I helped Tom in the field, but he also helped me in the house.”
How has working together changed your marriage: “She’s gotten a little more bossy,” Tom joked.
How do you separate work and home issues: “There is not a lot of separation on the farm, but when I worked, I would bring my frustrations home,” said Coleen. “Tom helped me then, because I hated mornings and he would come into the bathroom with my cup of coffee while I was getting ready.”
Tips for other husband/wife teams: “Be nice to one another,” said Tom. “Faith in God is very important in a relationship. And family – not just her and I, our whole family.”
“You can have disagreements, but you better not let them ride,” said Coleen. “Talk it out and end the day on a positive note. Communication is a big thing.”
Deb Seminary, editor of Inspired Woman magazine, was interviewed on URL Radio’s “Child’s Play” program. The hosts of this program wanted to find out why this issue was dedicated to kids and they really wanted to hear some of the gross mommy moments.
