This thesis offers a new conceptualisation of copreneurship by developing a dramaturgical framework. Whilst this theatrical concept of the social construction of entrepreneurship forms a small part of the debate in the extant literature, to date there has been no specific focus on the copreneurial dynamic. The thesis argues that a theatrical approach provides an additional means of interpreting the copreneurial experience. This is where couples articulate the ways in which they perform socially embedded practices such as marriage and family alongside managing a micro-business. It supports the notion of adopting a multidisciplinary approach to interpretation of such an intimate dynamic where the public and the private are often combined. Analysis of the narratives will show how performing within a spousal construct creates a business where connection and trust perform a central role in the creation of a copreneurial drama. This thesis supports the premise that interpretative phenomenological analysis is a powerful means of making sense of the copreneurial stories through this combined dramaturgical and relational approach. It contributes to knowledge in three important ways. Firstly it examines the premise or motivation for creating a business with an 'intimate other' and offers new insight into approaches to the early stages of the copreneurial experience. Intimate spousal involvement in a copreneurial business reveals the complexities of performing within a stereotypical framework where each partner faces an ideological dilemma in rewriting their intimate, spousal story. It highlights the complexity of managing the relational side to their business and domestic lives. It emphasises the interlinked, gendered relationships for spouses involved in copreneurial business, and questions the continued individualistic, malestream discourse on entrepreneurship in the family business and entrepreneurship literature. Secondly, there is a focus on the role of women in the business by providing a framework to explore a relational approach (Miller, 1977) to new venture creation and business development. Finally, this thesis offers a new insight for policy makers into the copreneurial dynamic of couples who represent a high proportion of micro-business in the UK, highlighting particular needs during start-up and business development. It also offers couples choosing to go into business together a new conceptual framework to help guide their copreneurial experience.