When Stan and Linda Davis went into the automotive recycling business together in the early 1980s, Stan admits it wasn't exactly an equal partnership.

"Initially, I did most of the work, and Linda was just sort of hanging around for the first 10 years," Stan said. "And that was my fault, wasting a valuable business asset like her."

This year, as StanLin Auto & Truck Salvage in Tebbetts, Mo., celebrates its 20th anniversary, Stan said he's glad that is no longer the case: "We've been married 28 years, and I can safely say that our marriage has never been better. And the business has thrived as well."

In that, the Davises have accomplished two of the most difficult feats in the world of family business - find a way to be successful and still remain on speaking terms. Each acknowledges that it hasn't always been easy, with turf battles between two admittedly strong-willed people. But the payoff for the late-model auto recycling facility, which processes 200 cars a year on 32 acres, has been well worth it.

Longevity is one measurement. But sales have also been up 30 percent each of the past couple of years as Stan and Linda have focused on expanding their business. "I think we've succeeded because we trust each other in a way you might not trust a business partner who wasn't so close to you," Linda said. "I know that every decision that Stan makes, he has my interests at heart, and he is doing it for my benefit."

The duo truly splits the work in the business, which includes one part-time and two full-time employees. Linda oversees the bookkeeping, retail operation and does the buying, while Stan handles the inventory and wholesale duties. This, they said, plays to each of their strengths. Linda, who loves to be around people, works the counter with ease. Stan, with his contacts in the insurance and body shop community, keeps tabs on what is needed so Linda can buy it.

"She is just a lot better buyer than I am," he said. "I'll go to an auction, fall in love with a car, and pay too much for it. Linda knows exactly what we need and knows when to cut it off. She never buys anything we can't use, and I used to do that all the time."

Another key to their success at work, said Stan, comes at home. Each has outside interests, which helps to relieve the pressure that can build up from spending so much time together. Stan is a paramedic, while Linda teaches water aerobics. They also raised three children, son Stan Jr., daughter Carrie, and a nephew, Rick Jones Jr.

"That allows us to separate our business life from our home life," he said. "We have something to talk about besides work. When you spend every waking minute with your spouse, it can be a tense situation. But then we have something besides the business to talk about, and we don't spend time staring at each other."

In all, said Linda, what woman wouldn't want to work with her husband at a job that resembles a yard sale that's open every day? "Isn't that every woman's dream?" she asked, with a laugh.