Since starting a residential- and commercial-painting business together in 2008, Karen and Don VanGordon have sometimes clashed when the strain of plunging income, long hours and cramped home-office quarters become too much to bear.

“We were stepping on each other’s business all the time,” with each criticizing the other’s work styles, says Ms. VanGordon, co-owner of CertaPro Painters in McKinney, Texas. That’s when they break out their stress-busting weapons: a stash of foam balls they keep on hand to bombard each other or play catch.

“You have to lighten up, and remember at the end of the day that no business is worth sacrificing a relationship,” Ms. VanGordon says.

The VanGordons are among many couples who once led separate work lives but—often for reasons related to the recession—decided to go into business together. Suddenly, they’re forced to figure out how to keep their marriages healthy while working to keep their businesses afloat.

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