Work Mates

Common wisdom dictates never to go into business with a friend. True or false?

False, clearly. Niamh Browne and Katie Gilroy are living proof- they have a great personal and work relationship; having been friends since school days they opened up the buzzy Urbun cafe in Cabinteely in the peak of the recession (2010). If you can withstand the travails that necessarily entailed, anything can be done. “There’s nothing like building something up from the ground and sharing that experience with a mate,” says Katie. Niamh agrees, “you hear a lot of horror stories of friends going into business together but it can really help to have a friend to share the burden with.”

For more evidence to prove the point see Work Mates by Meg Walker in the May issue of IMAGE, out now.

PHOTOGRAPH BY KAROL TRACZ