Couple builds life, business together

Adam Broderick and Pete Goldstein had been together for years before their Nov. 20 wedding, but their relationship almost didn't take off.

Adam is the founder of Adam Broderick Salon & Spa, with locations in Ridgefield and Southbury. He explained he was not in the habit of dating clients.

But one day in 1999, a stylist called Adam over to introduce him to Pete Goldstein. Pete had just learned from the stylist that Adam Broderick wasn't just the salon's name.

"He said there really is an Adam Broderick, and asked if I'd like to meet him," Pete recalled.

Later, the stylist asked Adam if he had liked Pete and gave him Pete's phone number.

Adam called Pete, but unbeknownst to him, Pete, who is a pilot, was focused on making a solo flight across the country. Not wanting to be distracted, he didn't return Adam's call right away.

This both annoyed and intrigued Adam. "I'm used to a yes or a no, not no answer," he said. "I'm thinking, `Who is this guy?' "

But after Pete returned from his trip, he returned Adam's call and the two made plans to meet for dinner. Their first date went well. The next time they spoke, Pete invited Adam to accompany him on a flight.

"I said, `Yeah, sure!' Adam said. "I was halfway to the airport when I started thinking, `Why did I agree to go flying with him? I just met him. I don't know if he can drive a car, let alone an airplane!' "

But Adam's spontaneous decision made a good impression on Pete.

"It sealed the deal when Adam said sure, he'd come flying," Pete said. "He said sure, and he showed up."

Since that time, the two have built a life together that combines their interests and abilities into a lifestyle they both enjoy.

The men have made the Adam Broderick brand a family business. Pete, who founded his own software development company before meeting Adam, is the CFO of Adam Broderick Salon & Spa.

"He delegates and manages amazingly," Pete said of Adam. "I'm a doer. We work together really, really well. We're good at, and enjoy doing, different aspects of the business."

While some couples find working together stressful, sharing their business lives has worked out well for Adam and Pete.

"We made the decision together on what makes sense for our lifestyle," Pete said. "It's a family business. We have the same five minutes off to see each other.

"We both love business, work, building together. Oddly enough, with Adam Broderick's name over the door, none of our decisions are ego-driven. We designed a lifestyle that allows us to stay engaged."

"It's a great marriage of two very different types of intelligence," Adam said.

As for making their relationship work, there's one rule.

"The rule I live by is 100 percent honesty -- communicate about everything. It's the only non-negotiable in our relationship," Adam said. "I was in my 40s when we met, not a kid. I went into this relationship very level-headed."

"As I said in my toast at the wedding -- integrity, communication, honesty. Everything is on the table," Pete said. "I never doubted that I was with the right man."

"Business doesn't determine who we are, it's what we do for careers," Adam said. "Pete will be there through the good or bad. Our anchored relationship is more meaningful."

When the couple exchanged their vows last November, an unusual wedding crasher arrived at the outdoor ceremony at their home on Candlewood Lake.

"I was in the middle of my vows. I was trying to focus on communicating to Pete in a meaningful way, when out of the corner of my eye I saw what I thought was a large German shepherd.

"I thought, `Where did that come from?,' but I was trying not to be distracted. It kept coming closer, and at the same time our dogs saw it. I blurted out, `Oh, my god, there's a wolf!' "

The men and their officiant froze in place, while their small dogs, Molly and Cooper, ran toward what turned out to be a coyote, with guests chasing after them trying to prevent a catastrophe.

After the coyote disappeared and things calmed down, the officiant had the couple start their vows over again.

"I did feel the second time was more meaningful for me," Adam said. "Now we have a good wedding story and everything ended well."

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