I think "2.0" is overused too but it's convenient to have a buzzy way to package a positive mark of our time. There have been many words written about microglobal businesses and how the pervasiveness of tools and cheapening of technology allow them to compete and grow on a global scale. We all like the idea of a level playing field and the makeover of the Mom & Pop is perfect to investigate.
Wal-Mart displaced local Mom & Pop shops in the 80s and 90s who couldn't compete with the cheap prices of child labor this spousal start-ups became nostalgic rather than fiscally prudent. Then ebay came along and enabled a million Americans to work from home while promoting re-use. Then I had a company (60 people/lots of revenue). Then I had a baby (6 pounds 15 ounces). I didn't want to choose between being the mom who ran back to work after a 3 month maternity leave (I never did the 9-5 thing anyway) and the stay-at-home super mom. So Jason and I decided to divide and conquer on everything from diaper changing to presentations when we started consulting together. We took Emiko around the world so I could breastfeed and still keep speaking gigs. She spent 30% of her life on the road until we moved to Amsterdam. And it was a blast. Miami for work then a few extra days, Austin for work and a few extra days. (Hint: Get a cousin who is in her early 20s to live with you and be your nanny during these life without walls periods.)
After a couple of years of this, we started a for real company from bed a few days after having home-birthed our son in Amsterdam. It was about one of thee best weeks of my life. Scheduling is always tricky but we're still working together and one cooks while one works or one stays home while the other travels and most of the time 5:30-8 is sacred family time. This scenario works for few people I understand, but the idea of having the same person there to cover for you at home or at work is pretty amazing! (We even fill in for each other being recording secretary at the Parent Teacher meetings) And considering we spend 24 hours together and rarely get to see each other (divide and conquer again) imagine how little time we would have if we had separate jobs! When we got serious about our new company, we did move to Portland to be among Jason's incredibly supportive family which helps the Mom & Pop thing work.
We are hearing this more and more. We have several friends who started companies with their spouses and some may have kids soon. Here are a few Mom & Pop 2.0 companies to start the list, so please let me know if you hear of any/already know more.
Platial (Mom, Pop and Uncle Jake 2.0 really)
UrbanBaby (Inspiring couple, now part of CNet)
Greasy Kidstuff (Moved here from NY around the same time we did. We love them and They Might Be Giants just wrote them a song. Congratulations!)
Add a Mom & Pop 2.0 company to the Map!
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