Can friends make it in business?
For many the support of a strong friendship is exactly what is needed to start a company from scratch. Yet the dynamics of friendship do not always translate well into a business partnership, BBC News reports. So what are the potential pitfalls of going into business with a friend, do the benefits outweigh the risks, and what are the secrets of success? For high-profile swimwear model Nell Robinson, 27, and her fashion-buyer friend Ann Marie Clarke, 29, the biggest risk of launching their Bang Swimwear brand was losing their friendship. "The main concern was that we didn't allow anything negative that happened to the business affect our friendship," says Ms Clarke. "At first we were tip-toeing around each other, not wanting to hurt each other's feelings, but now we've learnt to be brutally honest with each other when it comes to the business so that we create the best possible line." The pair met while at school in Jamaica, then bonded at a glitzy event when Ms Clarke's high-heeled shoe broke and Ms Robinson loaned her a spare pair. "I remember that incident really cemented our friendship, and we still laugh about it now," Ms Robinson recalls. "Shortly after that we both moved to London and stayed close friends." Bang is still a young company but so far progress looks promising, with sales healthy, a following that includes model Cara Delevingne and singer Rihanna, and a new high-summer collection about to launch. "We understand each other's strengths and weaknesses," says Ms Clarke. 'Fuzzy' lines But the blurring of boundaries can prove complicated for friends in business. Alexis Miesen, 38, and Jennie Dundas, 43, were flatmates and friends before they set up their company, Brooklyn-based Blue Marble Ice Cream, in 2007. "Sometimes it's hard to know when to wear your friend hat, when to wear your business partner hat, or when - and how - to wear both," admits Ms Miesen. "Lines, roles and expectations can get fuzzy. "I don't think we were ever at risk of losing our friendship, but there were certainly some hard times in the early days that caused us both a good amount of stress. "Jennie and I have very personal different aesthetic styles, and when we have disagreed on something design-related, it's been hard to keep the business conversation from becoming a personal confrontation because these involve our personal feelings. A criticism or dismissal can be hurtful, especially when the stakes are high and emotions like stress and doubt are pushed right to the surface." The fact that they are friends can exacerbate the impact, she says. "Often, that hurt is then translated into a determination to be 'right' and the conversation is taken over by trying to prove our point and 'win' the argument." Still, it is something that the two of them are aware of, and have largely overcome. "Over time, I think we've learned how to communicate in respectful, constructive ways and give each other's ideas and feelings the consideration they deserve," says Ms Miesen. "That doesn't mean we're always successful at it, but we definitely try!" Read more
