Pinky Cole Shares the Realities of Entrepreneurship and Marriage
Pinky Cole, the founder of the popular Slutty Vegan restaurant chain, is speaking openly about the challenges of managing her multi-million-dollar business while being married to another entrepreneur, Derrick Hayes, CEO of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks. During an episode of the Earn Your Leisure podcast, Cole described the balancing act between her personal life and professional ambitions.
Cole explained how her marriage required a delicate balance as both partners pursued their careers. “In the middle of losing it all, my husband, who has worked for the last 15 years to get here, finally gets his moment. So here I am as a wife, we’re newlyweds, I’m like ‘Hey, I’m here, I need your help, but he’s also getting his moment,’” she shared. The dynamics of supporting each other while maintaining personal drive can be complicated, especially when one partner is experiencing more immediate success.
She added, “So like he comes around me, I got the depressed energy on me… and he’s excited, but now a part of him doesn’t want to be excited because if he’s too happy… it makes him look like a bad husband.” These candid reflections show the unique pressures faced by entrepreneurial couples.
Building a Multi-Million-Dollar Empire Separately
Cole stressed the importance of keeping their businesses separate to maintain clarity and reduce conflict. “Derrick makes millions in his business, I make millions in my business, but we keep our businesses totally separate. I don’t know what’s going on in his business, he don’t know what’s going on in mine,” she explained. She acknowledged that her business initially had more visibility, but over time, roles sometimes reversed in terms of influence and support.
Despite these challenges, the couple’s approach has allowed both brands to thrive. The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 Annual Business Survey noted that about 297,778 businesses are owned and operated jointly by spouses, highlighting that navigating entrepreneurship as a couple is not uncommon but still complex.
Facing Setbacks and Public Pressure
Cole has also faced significant hurdles with her own business. As she navigated financial struggles, including filing for bankruptcy and facing creditor actions, she continued to maintain a public presence. She recently joined the new season of Bravo’s Housewives of Atlanta, which put her life and career in the public eye.
Even with these pressures, Hayes has remained supportive. He shared on Instagram, “Welp… now I’m married to a Real Housewife of Atlanta. I ain’t winning another argument ever again. Pray for me. @pinkycole congratulations.” Cole emphasized the value of having a supportive partner who understands the demands of entrepreneurship while sharing the highs and lows of success.
Lessons Learned From Marriage and Entrepreneurship
Cole described the learning curve of balancing marriage and business. “Did it get hard? Yes. Did we have to learn the hard way on how we navigate when one partner in a relationship is going through a visual circumstance? It was incredibly tough… My husband could be paying right beside me and as much comfort as he can give me and be there and supportive of me, nobody understands what it feels like when you’re literally fighting for your life, but you gotta show up and put a smile on your face,” she said.
Her story highlights that entrepreneurship isn’t just about business acumen—it also requires emotional resilience and mutual support. Cole’s experience provides insight into the real-world challenges of building a brand while maintaining personal relationships, proving that success often comes with personal and professional negotiation.
Moving Forward: Collaboration and Independence
Through her journey, Cole has shown that it’s possible to maintain independence while fostering a supportive partnership. By keeping business operations separate and prioritizing honest communication, she and Hayes continue to grow their respective brands. Cole’s transparency about her struggles emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence and shared goals in entrepreneurial marriages.
Her story inspires other business owners, particularly Black entrepreneurs, to approach both marriage and business with intentionality, resilience, and collaboration.
