Sisters Maisha and Petria Lenehan, Bibi’s Cafe and Dolls Boutique

On a quiet corner of South Circular Road’s red-brick streets, sisters Maisha and Petria Lenehan are closing up for the day. Maisha, an experienced chef, mops the floor of the café while next door Petria does the days’ takings in her pretty boutique. They are separate businesses but it’s a joint effort nonetheless, a codependent one with benefits.

“Petria already had the shop in town so when we opened here, it brought a lot of loyal customers,” explains Maisha. “I’m new to this so it’s been great to have someone who has already been through it.” Petria has the advantage of Maisha’s hungry customers who, once fed and watered, wander next door for a browse in the shop. From an early age, the sisters had always shown interest in what the other did. Petria doesn’t have the same love of food as her sister but she’s happy to sample the menus and give her opinion while Maisha’s loyalty to her sister is evident in her attire – a Dolls’ ensemble.

Coming together to form the business was a natural progression. But apart from sharing the same laugh and distinctive voice, they are quite different. Maisha is the grafter of the two, Petria the ideas person and, both agree, the more confident one. What they share is the same passion for what they do. As it happens, it’s really a family operation with their mother Emily and brother Geoffrey both working in the business.

“It works because everyone has clear roles but I have to admit, it is weird being your mom’s boss,” laughs Maisha. “The great thing is everyone gets stuck in and we all help each other out,” confirms Petria.

A mutual understanding of where the other one is at is a big advantage. When one is having a bad day, the other understands – there’s no judgement or politics. “You can let off steam and not worry about being in a compromising position with your business partner or boss,” says Maisha before adding, “it can be tough, all this responsibility and you can’t get away from it but on the other hand, we absolutely love what we’re doing. We share a lot of the headaches so you don’t feel you’re alone and, best of all, it’s ours.”

Tel: 01 4547421

Spouses Gareth Nihill and Louise Norton, Nspace

There are certain ways to keep things professional when it comes to working with family. It could be argued that somebody has to be "the boss". For husband and wife team Gareth Nihill and Louise Norton, who run interior design and building firm Nspace, there's 'boss' and 'big boss'. And, guess who's 'big boss'? "It's true," says Louise giggling. "When I walk on to a site, I can already hear the Chinese whisper 'big boss is coming'." Suffice to say, Louise would be the more assertive of the pair. "Absolutely," says Gareth. "I think we work so well together because we are so different. Louise's strengths are my weaknesses and vice versa."

Out front is Gareth, negotiating business, managing staff and sites and according to Louise "fearless and a great problem solver". In the background is Louise, the more organised of the pair, the backbone of the company. But it wasn't always like that.

When they started the business seven years ago, it took a few arguments to steer them in the right direction. "We had two huge rows in the first year and we had to learn pretty quickly that working together and rowing is not a good combination," says Louise. "We hired Pam Fay, who runs a company called Business Performance Perspectives – she was really like a counsellor, making us keep a diary for the week and defining our roles. She sort of deconstructed us and put us back together. It was a major turning point for us."

When asked what advice they would give to other married couples starting out in business together, Gareth cites this experience as seminal in making or breaking the business. "Get outside help early. If it's not going well it's important to recognise that, own up to it and ask for help," he says. "Working with someone with whom you have another relationship is really like meeting a brand new person," adds Louise.

It helps that they are both so compatible and that they agree on a few ground rules: no work chat outside of work hours, an appreciation of what the other one does and support when it's needed. "You don't get your end-of-year appraisal like you would in other jobs," says Gareth, "so it's nice to be told you're doing a good job."

"And when you're not," laughs Louise.

"And when you're having a bad day, you can usually avoid the staff, but you can't avoid your wife," Gareth laughs.

Tel: 01 887 9722; info@nspace.ie; www.nspaceie

Sisters Caroline Quinn and Kathy Sherry, Dirty Fabulous

Starting a business for the first time is a challenge for most but losing it all and starting again is a real test of one's mettle. In the case of sisters Caroline Quinn and Kathy Sherry of vintage boutique Dirty Fabulous, a fire at their Baggot Street shop in March of this year was the ultimate barometer, both of their resolve and their relationship. "I'm not sure we would have got through that without each other," says Kathy. According to Caroline there was "lots of crying, drinking whiskey and passing of tissues". Whatever works.

But the upshot is a beautiful new premises above Molton Brown on Wicklow Street and a relationship that is closer than ever. "We're probably too close," says Caroline. "At least we know what to buy each other for Christmas," she laughs. Distinct styles, personalities and positions are the key to the boutique's success. Kathy is dressed in a cute black and white ensemble reminiscent of a '50s' prom queen, Caroline in head-to-toe 1940s' glamour. Day-to-day, Kathy heads up IT and accounts while Caroline is behind the sewing machine. According to Kathy she'd be happy to leave accounts to someone else but it's got to be done.

According to Caroline, Kathy can't sew a straight line so that's that. But they both enjoy the buying and creative side of the business. "We do everything together so our holidays are our buying trips,"explains Kathy, "but we go together so that means we close the business. That's the only downside."

With all that time spent together, it's hard to believe there's no friction. "We worked together in Pia Bang before we started this business," explains Kathy, "so we knew how reliable the other one was." "Plus," says Caroline, "when you work with family, it's easier to be honest and you're more inclined to work at it as opposed to walking away when you reach a stumbling block. I suppose it's like a marriage," she muses.

"Yes," confirms Kathy, "you're not going to walk away unless... she's cheated on you... with that dress you love." They hoot with laughter. Despite the uphill struggles, they forgot to mention that it's also a lot of fun.

Tel: 01 611 1842; info@dirtyfabulous.com; www.dirtyfabulous.com

Friends Gary Jacobs and Andrew Allen, Allen and Jacobs Estates

'Well you did crash my car," notes Gary Jacobs, one half of real estate duo Allen and Jacobs. "It was a scrape and that's what bumpers are for," replies Andrew Allen. The friends, who have known each other since secondary school, have a long history of playful banter but it's all tempered with a solid understanding of one another and a shared work ethic. Having both worked for larger estate agents, they decided to go into business together three years ago when they realised glass ceilings couldn't be broken and new challenges needed to be met. "Starting out in a recession had its downside," Andrew says. "But it was comforting knowing you could rely on and trust your business partner 100%. I can honestly say I wouldn't have wanted to go into business with anyone else."

While different in personality and approach, both share similar values. "I think we aren't afraid to put in the hard work," says Gary. "But our main objective is to treat people with respect and complete honesty and deliver what we say we're going to deliver."

In terms of a successful partnership, communication is key. "We know we can talk to one another about anything. If we have a disagreement, which is very rare, it's forgotten about quickly."

And what about the work-social life divide? "We might discuss something important over a pint but work usually stays in work."

When friends go into business together, personal relationships can often be affected, especially when partners socialise together. "I think the arrival of children did that," jokes Andy. "Kids put the kibosh on your social life."

"Overexposure was something I did worry about at the beginning," admits Gary. "However, it isn't an issue." Personality has everything to do with why business partnerships work but according to Andrew it's also about timing and really knowing your business partner. "Maturity comes into it," says Andrew. "If we'd done this in our 20s who's to say it would have worked.

"The timing just seemed right three years ago. Having said that, I knew deep down Gary was the only person I wanted to do it with and I think that's key, to be absolutely certain it's the right person."

"And don't hold back," Gary adds. "You have to have complete honesty." With that, he turns to his friend and asks him where his lunch is. "I think it's your turn actually," replies Andrew. In the end it's Gary who agrees to go, shouting, "yes boss," as he heads out the door.

Tel: 01 210 0360; www.allenandjacobs.ie

Brothers Mark and David Van Den Bergh, Max Benjamin

Max Benjamin, purveyors of Irish-made, natural luxury candles, has its roots firmly in family. Brothers Mark and David van den Bergh run the company, which sister Fiona started some 15 years ago – she's still involved in its operation. Another sister, Emma, meanwhile, looks after the accounts and the company is named after Fiona's 12-year-old twins, Max and Benjamin. The key to their business success is their different skill set. "David is very structured and he runs the organisation really. He deals with all of our suppliers and oversees what's going on in production," Mark says. "I'm kind of all over the place and my work is more project-based. I would look at product development and new fragrances, opening new markets and marketing."

They occasionally have their differences but the family ties make them easier to resolve than in the average working environment. "The thing about family is that it's not taken too personally. You can slag each other off and do things that you couldn't do in a different personal relationship," David says.

Both say that work rarely comes up when they get together socially. "We might sometimes but if we're over in each others houses for dinner or out having a few drinks, then we're switched off work," Mark says.

There's a seven-year age difference between them (David is 35, Mark is 42) and they say working together has brought them closer than before.

Have they learnt anything new about each other? "He's still the way he always was. I've learned that Mark is a real doer and a great believer in getting things done as soon as possible and he is a creative guy as well," David says. "Probably not," says Mark. "There's really very little I didn't know about him. I'll tell you in a few more years if that changes."

And what advice would they give to anyone thinking of embarking upon a family business venture. "Generally, you've got to have a good mix of personality – if you're very similar you can clash," David believes. "You won't really know until you start but you've got to be patient. It is like a marriage in a way. You learn a lot about each other. You think you know someone but you don't really until you work with them."

Tel: 01-286 3647; www.maxbenjamin.ie

Interview by Claire O'Mahony