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What’s next for you professionally?

I am looking to expand the team this year which is really exciting and a step closer to where I’d like to see the business grow. I’d love to have a small team with a good roster of clients, whilst still offering the tailored personal service I do today.

Any advice for future female professionals wanting to start their own business?

Resilience - lots of it! And belief in yourself is so important. You have to have confidence in what you're doing. And be prepared to work really, really hard. It’ll be worth it.

Starting any business can feel like a formidable prospect, let alone a business with a friend or your other half - it’s not just your professional partnership that’s at stake, but a personal one too. So, how exactly do you make your business work and keep your relationship intact? And what does it really take to run a successful business with a close friend or your significant other? We met with some local professionals who’ve done just that…

Interviews: Becky Palmano

Photography: Danny Evans

Shot on location at Horizon, in an apartment interior designed by one of our creative partnerships, Landes Interiors.

Naemi and Tim Norman-Prahm Norman-Prahm Architects

Architect and Interior Design duo Tim and Naemi recently moved to Jersey having spent the last 10 years working on the design of a few Jersey farm houses from London. Their projects are routed in place and centered around the people who use them. Driven by a fascination with making sense of old buildings, Tim and Naemi enjoy introducing new ideas and purpose while sensitively working with the building's fabric.

How did the idea for your business come about and why did you decide to start something together?

Architects and interior designers are a natural match and hugely benefit from working hand in hand, right from the start of a project. Our combined skill set seemed the perfect fit for a Jersey-based practice. So when we were considering a lifestyle-turn-around, moving from London back to Jersey after 20 years, it was easy to imagine a future together, in business!

What are the best things about working together?

To build on a shared vision with the person you most trust and respect is a great thing and without doubt, the ease of communication you have as a partnership because you know each other so well.

Any downsides?

When you are going through a busy patch, you are both busy. Your partner won't be able to fill in for you at home. The trick is to know when work stops, it’s much easier said than done. We’ve been working on it a lot over the years! My advice for couples debating whether to start a business together would be to have a distinct space and time for work. It inevitably does blur at the edges, and that can be fun, if you love what you do. But it is important to know you can turn out the light and close the door when you need to. Be realistic about each other’s strengths and weaknesses and acknowledge when things shift.

So how do you deal with disagreements?

We make a ‘com-promise’, a 'together-promise'. It doesn't ever feel so bad when you see it like that!

Would you say working together has brought you closer as a couple?

Working together gives us ultimate control over our time. We can make time for each other and our family when we need to. It’s an important part of our values. And, it is powerful to realise that together you can create something that you are both really proud of. We play to our strengths with different roles and responsibilities, but it can be very fluid too. We ask each other questions all the time, get the outside view. Luckily, our skills are very complimentary.

What’s next for your business?

Right now we are working on two multi-generational Jersey homes - one of them is our own, which is exciting. Once we are all settled in, we can turn our attention to the horse stables. They will make a great studio!

www.normanprahm.com

Jonathan and Manon Jones, Landes Interiors

Manon started Landes Interiors in 2016 after completing an interior design degree, working from home with the financial support of Jonathan until she built a client base. Three months later a nearby retail space was advertised for rent and presented a unique opportunity to expand the business. Jonathan stepped away from his family business after 33 years to take up the lease and work together with Manon. Having worked together running Jersey Pottery Ceramics, where Manon was the Design Director, they knew they were compatible professionally.

Tell us about your roles in the business?

Jonathan: We knew our boundaries as soon as we started working together. I would be running the admin, dealing with shipping, accounts, and implementation, where Manon would create design schemes, run our projects, guide customers and give interiors advice in the shop. Of course, we consult each other on regular basis, but we both have very different roles.

Manon: Wearing different hats is a necessity in small businesses. Jonathan has a certain affinity with spreadsheets which I have not developed, although he has a great eye for aesthetics, I am the interior designer.

What are the best things about working with each other?

Manon: The travelling is great, at trade shows it feels more like a holiday than work, we also bounce back ideas all the time.

Jonathan: I sometimes have to reel Manon in… she can get very enthusiastic about new sourcing and design, but our home market is not always ready for the next big thing, I’m generally more conservative. If we were not a couple, it would be more delicate to tell her. But the very best thing about being working as husband and wife is being able to celebrate our gradual gains together.

Are there any downsides?

Manon: We are passionate about Landes and have an all-in attitude which means very little time for our personal life. When you both rely on the success of the same business financially, there isn’t a fence between free time and work time. So, when Jonathan storms in the bedroom at 6am with action plans, because he’s already been working for a few hours, I’m not impressed!

Jonathan: I think if you run your own business, it is always hard to switch off!

Manon: We are obviously on holiday together on most occasions and it isn’t ideal to be off island at the same time. I was also worried that our conversations would become mundane if we spent too much time together, but I’m mostly working in the shop on the creative side and customer facing, and Jonathan is at home dealing with imports, deliveries, accounts and admin so we still have plenty to catch up after a day’s work.

Would you say that working together has brought you closer as a couple?

Manon: It has certainly deepened our understanding of each other, I can identify what Jonathan is good at – organisation and figures, what makes him tick – he is very square and honest and expects a reciprocal attitude from everyone.

Jonathan: We’ve also learnt to disagree constructively. Business decisions have to be made rationally rather than emotionally; this has bought a more relaxed approached to our rare personal clashes. We agree to disagree and compromise fast.

Manon: But the best thing is that working together is like working with our biggest fan. We do cheer on each other. It is particularly meaningful when we traverse difficult seasons and fantastic when we have successful designs to celebrate.

So how do you deal with disagreements, when they arise?

Manon: This sounds cliché but our relationship is based on great communication and mutual respect, plus, Jonathan and I have the same work ethic and most importantly the same life goals so we rarely disagree.

Jonathan: For the anecdote, in the main we have the same taste but if we disagree on buying for the shop, we have one “Joker” each at trade shows and we have mini competitions to see which of our “jokers” will sell first.

What advice would you give to couples who are debating whether to start a business together?

Jonathan: It is very easy to get excited about a new venture with your other half but don’t go in both at the same time. Keep a minimum income until the wheel is turning. This will avoid unnecessary financial stress. Build a robust business plan and be prepared to work long hours.

Manon: I’d like to add “complete each other not compete with each other”. Once you’ve found out your strengths and weaknesses work in your area of expertise and let your other half work in theirs.

For couples that are already in business together, what advice would you give them?

Manon: The most important thing is why are you working together in the first place. It’s because you love each other. Don’t take it for granted and let the business get in the way.

So what’s next for your business?

Jonathan: Our biggest challenge is to keep innovating and bringing environmentally friendly furniture to the island, we go a long way to source sustainable products. It’s not just about what it looks like but where does it come from and who made it.

Manon: So we are often trotting around Europe to bring you novelties, we are super excited about this year’s new spring summer collections in outdoor furniture and soft furnishing. We are always up to date with fabric and wallpaper books too. I want people to come in the shop and ask questions about their interiors and browse our books as much as they like. As for projects, we are always on the go. We are currently finishing a beautiful home in North London and tackling three other interior design projects locally.

Jonathan: I’m also brushing up on digital marketing, with a few courses. We need to get a few key messages out there, such as our sustainable sourcing but also we do give free project estimates and you might find that we are a lot more affordable than you think and in the long run we can even save you money.

www.landesinteriors.com

Or visit Landes Interiors - Rue de la Croix au Maitre, St Martin

Martyn Aubert and Richard Lumborg The Idea Works

Martyn and Richard established The Idea Works on St David's Day 1997 having worked together for another company. Both agreed that their current employee didn’t always look after their clients, an attitude they could not change from within it. They created their own creative communications agency, with a philosophy to look after your clients, and they will look after you.

Can you tell us a bit more about your business…

Martyn: When we first started out we called ourselves an ‘Advertising Agency,’ but that term seems a bit old school now in light of all the different channels we have to work in these days, but essentially that’s what we do. Richard as Managing Director is more of a planner and better with money. Whilst I’m the Creative Director, so tasked with generating ideas and overseeing the creative production. There is a lot of overlap though, Richard also being very creative…we are interchangeable to an extent and customers often muddle our names up!

Richard: We both work very closely together, and we are both very creative. I am good at coming up with an original concept or idea, but I leave it to Martyn to transform it into a creative campaign. Martyn's strength lies in developing an original concept and then seeing it all the way through to the final artwork stages. I will also focus on strategic objectives to make sure that any creative work does the job it is supposed to do, i.e. "Advertise the right product or service to the right people at the right time." After all, the client wants to see a return on their investment.

What are the best things about working with a friend?

Richard: We can constantly bounce ideas off each other however weird and left centre they are. Some of them are shot down in flames straight away, but some of them get through to the client who runs with our mad creative ideas. One such idea was for a well-known hotel group. To boost publicity to UK residents for a holiday in Jersey, we ran a "Win a Jersey Cow" competition. Don't worry, you didn't actually win a cow, but you won a holiday to visit Jersey and a trip to a local farm to see a Jersey Calf born that year, and you could name it. It was a fantastic success and saw a considerable increase in bookings.

Martyn: We’ve always had a similar sense of humour and shared cryptic jokes that I honestly don’t think anyone else would find remotely funny. We’ve both been on the journey together I guess.

Any downsides?

Martyn: I don’t think there are a lot of downsides. I think we compliment each other and drive things forward when one or other is flagging or less motivated. Taking holidays at the same time is difficult as you can imagine, but we’ve still had a few joint family weekends in France over the years.

Richard: Business and social occasions can merge together when ideally, you want to leave the company business behind.

How do you deal with disagreements?

Martyn: We are both fairly non-confrontational and when either of us does get heated or disagreeable, I think the other generally can see that issue is probably valid. I don’t recall ever falling out or really arguing other than a heated discussion that is always resolved positively.

Richard: Although we do sometimes have a cycle race around St Helier to settle a disagreement, with the winner winning the argument - it's usually Martyn!

What advice would you give to friends who are debating whether to start a business together?

Martyn: Definitely go for it. It might be hard at times, but it’s certainly going to be easier than being in business with someone you don’t get on with.

Richard: Starting a new business is not easy; you never know how the company will go, so you need all the help you can. Working with friends will give you support when you need it, and you will also be there when you need to support your friends.

For friends that are already in business together, what advice would you give them?

Richard: I think the two biggest things are communication between each other and don't forget to leave your egos at home.

Martyn: It’s a bit like a marriage, you need to respect each other, respect each other's opinion, work as a team, be honest and admit your mistakes when you make them and of course you will. Then find a way to work through any issues.

Has working together brought you closer as friends?

Richard: Yes, we are both a similar age, and we had our children at a similar time, so both went through the trials and tribulations of bringing up children whilst running a business. I think it was easier to know that somebody else was in the same situation as you, and when you were off on holiday, you could relax knowing the business was in safe hands and you weren't going to get a phone call.

Martyn: Obviously we’ve got to know each other fairly well over the years, having been in business for so long. We still try and go out together with our wives now and then and we still share a lot of interests, in particular a love of cycling and rugby. In some respects we now share a history, we’ve met a lot of the same people and had the same experiences to reminisce over.

Do you have any rules to stop your work encroaching on your friendship?

Martyn: Never mention rugby if Wales have lost at the weekend!!

Richard: Plenty of coffee breaks, a sense of humour, 15 minutes of talking nonsense at least once a day, discussing rugby and not forgetting Friday afternoon treats!

What’s next for your business?

Martyn: The ever changing face of the creative media world is a challenge in itself and we’re not getting any younger. For me it’s just about maintaining a work-life balance, I think we’ve done the big agency thing and now enjoy being a more manageable sized business. We have some great clients and we’re able to be very hands-on, which suits me perfectly.

Richard: We have learnt that business does not stand still; you must react and realign your business to market forces constantly. We are always on the next project and new venture; it is a rollercoaster ride, but I never get tired or bored working in this environment!

www.theideaworks.com

Opposite Land Productions was established by husband and wife duo Becky and Sam during the Covid pandemic after a family member requested help filming a portfolio of commercial properties for an international client. The films were picked up by other property developers - more film requests were made and before long Opposite Land Productions was born. Three years on, OLP has relocated to Jersey and now specialises in creating captivating video content for every industry wishing to engage with their customer or audience via film.

Tell us about your business, how did it all begin?

Sam: We are a classic lockdown business in that both of us were significantly quieter on the work front during lockdown - I worked for ITV’s This Morning show as a Producer Director and our shoot and production team was effectively grounded by the stay at home measures. Normally I’d be out travelling the country and shooting but we weren’t allowed to operate in lock down which gave me the time and headspace to start thinking of the future.

Becky: I was actually on furlough from my job at Sheerluxe as Deputy Editor at the time when Sam asked me if I wanted to start a business with him. Seeing as I had zero experience in television, or video, or production I can’t say I was particularly keen! But we had a rare opportunity where we had the time to sit and discuss how we could create this new business together - what it might look like, what our roles would be etc. It was always my dream to work for myself - and now I had the opportunity to do it with Sam. I couldn’t say no!

Do you and your partner have different roles or do you do a lot of work together?

Becky: We each have our strengths, and recognised these early on making sure our roles complemented our skill sets. My previous roles at Harrods and Sheerluxe as Fashion Editor and Deputy Editor consecutively gave me great experience overseeing photo shoots, producing marketing campaigns, writing magazine columns and liaising with brands on their creative visions. This means my role at OLP is more tailored towards client acquisition, communicating our creative briefs to clients and making sure their vision marries with our own and is executed successfully. Sam is super creative too; however his role is much more production-focused. He is the action man and goes on all the shoots, coordinates the crew, captures the content and oversees all post production.

Sam: We used to divide the jobs up as they came in, with Becky overseeing one shoot and me another but over time it’s become much more effective for us to apply our own talents to each project so clients get to interact with us both. I love the creative side of things and love chatting to clients about how we are going to deliver their video but Becky is great at reining me in as I can get a little over excited especially if there are drones involved!

What are the best things about working with your partner?

Sam: The business is both ours and we are both passionate about it and enjoy running it so it becomes less like work and more of a hobby and part of our lives. We can be taking the dogs for a walk and talking about what to have for dinner that night and by the end of the conversation, we are discussing our new marketing strategy to get into the home rental market. We have lost the dogs a few times from getting too deep into the conversation! Another huge advantage is the support. We know each other so well that we can be very direct with each other, when a good idea comes you can discuss it and brainstorm it really well because you are on the same wavelength.

Becky: You have an ever-present cheerleader at work which is pretty amazing! It’s very easy when you're self-employed to be hard on yourself- especially during the quieter periods. Sam and I are like yin and yang and whilst that can create tension every now and again it also means when one is down, the other is usually up.

Any downsides?

Sam: If a project or a pitch hasn’t worked out, it gets to us both and trying to keep positive can be difficult. That said, having Becky there to share the disappointment is incredibly helpful and we always manage to work our way through it.

Becky: I think the positives to working together can also be the negatives- we both get really passionate about our projects so much so that it’s hard to not let them seep into our weekends or downtime. We’ll often spend date nights discussing the next filming project or client pitch which is not in any way romantic!

What has been the biggest challenge about running a business with your partner?

Sam: Around two months in, we both decided to leave our full-time jobs. We were busy enough and our current roles were interfering with projects to the point we were turning work down. Not long after that we found out that Becky was pregnant. Initially, we were terrified about how it was all going to work but over the next 9 months we were both so motivated to make the company work not only for ourselves but for our soon to be son that we worked doubly hard at finding new clients and building the business. The struggle really came when our son was born. Our office was our flat at this stage so it all got a little on top of both of us!

Becky: Be prepared to work hard. It’s easy to look at working together with rose tinted glasses - but the reality is, if the business fails there’s nowhere to hide! You’ve got to put the graft in to reap the reward and sometimes that means sacrificing your evenings together, your weekends or a trip away with friends. It’s worth it though. There is nothing better than coming up with an idea, and seeing it through to the end. That feeling of accomplishment is so elating - and the fact you’ve done it together is awesome.

Becky: Having a newborn in your office is not the most productive of environments. It was hard, and a real test of not just our relationship but the business too. I kept thinking, if we can make it through this we can really make it through anything!

How do you deal with disagreements?

Becky: We know each other so well, we can almost sense a disagreement before it happens. Sam is much more patient than I am and is able to listen and discuss ideas with me even if he doesn’t agree with them, meaning we rarely argue. He just diffuses the situation before it gets heightened - a skill I don’t even think he’s aware he has!

What advice would you give to couples who are debating whether to start a business together?

Sam: Don't rush into anything. Start by using your spare time together like weekends or holidays to really begin thinking about the business and brainstorming ideas. If you get a good workflow going, you could well be onto something but if you can't agree on anything it might just be best to leave it before you have committed anything financially. Have a very honest conversation about what happens if it doesn’t work out.

For couples that are already in business together, what advice would you give them?

Sam: When it gets tough, remember why you decided to do it together in the first place and not with anyone else. Communication is also a key skill for working together. I’ll often only ever explain half of an idea to Becky expecting her to fill in the other half - it drives her mad and is probably the only time we properly argue.

How do you separate your relationship from work and at home?

Sam: We don't really, we love what we do so we will always be talking about the company and upcoming projects, next steps to grow the company etc. That said, once we have made a decision on anything work-related we don't dwell, we move on and enjoy talking about other things.

Becky: It is definitely hard to put a stop to work chat after working hours. Especially when we have a really exciting project underway. Having a kid helps - he’s a constant source of amusement to Sam and I, and he provides plenty to talk about!

What’s next for your business?

Sam: An app! I can't say too much about it as we are still very early in the development stage, but it’s fantastic to be working on it with Becky. As is always the case, I can get overly enthusiastic and Becky has a great way of asking the right questions to keep me and the direction of the app development in check. Having only recently moved back to Jersey we are also looking to build our client base over here and grow our OLP filming business. It’s going to be an exciting year! oppositelandproductions.com