When buds go into business

Setting up shop with your friends needn't mean the end of your relationship. Take it from those who're making it work every day

You've heard what they say: never do business with your friends - if you want to keep them close, that is. The risk of money matters or work stress causing rifts in your relationships is all too real. So, if you don't want to lose a friend, find a stranger you can trust with the partnership. Well, we love exploring relationship dynamics here at WKND, so in light of International Friendship Day that was celebrated on July 30, we set out to discover the 'daredevils' in the city: those steadfast friends who go back a long way - and were sure enough of their ties to sign on the dotted contract line.
What we ended up with was different kinds of friends. There were the cry-on-your-shoulder types, the more measured ones, and the no-drama, yet ever-reliable sorts. All of them, however, share one thing in common: perfect understanding of the other - a personal trait that's making their professional plans flourish as well.

KHULOOD KHOURY & GRETA CANEVESE
A conversation with Khulood Khoury and Greta Canevese is characterised by much jovial banter and loud laughter, one teasing the other about her "Schumacher driving skills", the latter assuring the former that she's not old by a long shot. You'd think they were born into the same household. In fact, Khulood is Jordanian and Greta Italian - but such has been their bond over the last decade that both their families have come to accept the other as 'one more daughter' into their fold.
"I'm constantly at Khulood's place on Fridays," chimes Greta, whose coloured hair and shiny metal shell toe sneakers reflect her vivacious personality. "I know the menu before she does."
"She's always showing me up, getting there before me and helping my mom prepare meals," grumbles Khulood, good-naturedly.
The duo met when Greta moved to Dubai for work nine years ago.  With their shared passion for food and furniture - Khulood is an interior designer and Greta owns a furniture factory - they clicked instantly. They've since spent much of their time together, travelling to each other's countries for Christmas or weddings in the family. Currently, the pair is working around the clock for the DIFC opening of their very own trattoria, Ravioli & Co, later this month.
The restaurant had been a long-time dream of Greta's, something she'd often mentioned to Khulood during their long, casual discussions about life plans. But it was only when the latter visited Italy and had a taste of authentic Italian cuisine that she realised the concept held much promise for a place like Dubai. "It was very different from the Italian food that I was accustomed to," she remarks.
And so began the work to make a dream come true - but it was a real uphill slog, one that Greta is sure would have fallen apart, were it not for the strength of their friendship. "Both of us knew nothing about the F&B industry. We had to study a lot to understand every aspect, and we built every tiny detail up from scratch," says Khulood. The pair even took a crash course in finance management, the retelling of which results in both of them dissolving into side-splitting laughter. "Look, we're both artists. Give us an empty room, we'll fill it up with creativity. But numbers." Greta trails off, as Khulood shakes her head hopelessly, recalling, "I couldn't copy her answers, because she was just as blank as I was, so I used to just hope my name was difficult enough to keep the professor from calling on me." Did they complete the course? "Oh yes - but honestly, I think we ended up just the same," chuckles Greta.
Thankfully, the ladies have Khulood's husband, who stays on top of their finances for them. If they were doing this for money, they're sure they'd have given up a long time ago. "Honestly, in the last two years, there were many times I was sure I would quit," says Greta. "I'd be crying on Khulood's shoulder; sometimes, it was the other way around. But we're fighters, so we kept pushing forward. If we didn't match each other so perfectly, we would not be sitting here right now."
For this duo, the keys to their balance are chemistry and a willingness to listen to other perspectives. "We've never fought in nine years - not even when we were struggling to get this project off the ground in the last two years," says Khulood. "If we feel strongly about something, we try to help the other see it from our perspective and find the middle ground."
"It's the perfect marriage - except that she's already married," quips Greta. She adds, "Money is usually the great divider in a relationship. But Khulood and I are equal partners in this business - we're actually closer now, because we're broke together!"
Looking over the construction site at the Podium in DIFC, the two proudly point out their vision for their little trattoria: the seating plans, the open kitchen, the spot where the fresh pasta will be made daily. Their shared excitement is palpable. "We've been through a lot together," says Khulood. "But the good times are coming."

BARRELFUL OF LAUGHS: Greta Canevese (in white) and Khulood Khoury
DAVRON HAMIDOV & ZIYOVUDDIN ALIKHONOV
Of all the homegrown cafés around town, one has to admit: the concept behind Arrows and Sparrows - and its sister café Friends Avenue Café - is unique to the city. Both outlets are based on the long-lasting values of friendship, much like the bond its founders - 26-year-olds Davron Hamidov and Ziyovuddin "Zee" Alikhonov - share. For the two Uzbeks, their acquaintance goes back to university days in 2008, when they studied business administration together. After completing their master's degrees together as well, the duo decided to head out to the city of dreams everyone their age was talking about at the time: Dubai.
It wasn't until 2015 that they started Friends Avenue Café (together with a third friend), before opening up Arrows and Sparrows last year. For Davron and Zee, it strengthened their friendship to have so much in common, in terms of culture, language and faith. But having a business together is what pushed their association to a different level. "We're practically relatives now," says Zee, noting that their families are friends too. "Davron's like a brother from another mother."
Running two cafés - with further expansion plans in the pipelines - is no small feat for the youngsters. "People often ask us how we manage it, because our personalities are quite different from each other. I'm the calmer, more optimistic one, while Zee is the realist," says Davron. But it's a "plus and minus equation" that somehow syncs to form the perfectly symbiotic relationship they share. One way they manage the balance is by sticking to specific roles they've carved out for themselves at work. "Zee is more 'back office', taking care of the kitchen and food; I work more in the front, looking after the service and dining area. We might make occasional suggestions, but we don't interfere in each other's areas. Decisions related to the strategic development of the business, however, are always made together."
Over the years, as their friendship has evolved, is it now business first, then friendship? "It's always friendship first," says Zee. "If you do business first, there won't be a friendship left." That's not an intentional or conscious decision, adds Davron - just in keeping with the values they believe in. "You might become really successful, but you may not be happy, because happiness doesn't come from money - it comes from the people around you. So, we'd never prioritise work over friendship."
The pair often go out to restaurants and movies together, and their families took a recent trip to Melbourne together. "It's not business all the time for us. We talk about a lot of other things too, and it's a good distraction from the pressure of running the show," says Zee.
Resolving conflicts is "really fast" where they're concerned. If there's a difference in opinion, the outlook is always for what would help them reach a decision quickly. "It's not about 'who's going to win'," notes Zee. "We compromise a lot in the interests of the business: are you looking for a solution or to maintain a stubborn viewpoint? That's the question. Being arrogant, stubborn or narcissistic would never work. But because our goals are one, we're always able to reach decisions really quickly."


RARE CONNECTION: (from left to right) Vipul Gor and Pankaj Karamchandani
PANKAJ KARAMCHANDANI & VIPUL GOR
In 2002, Indian expat Pankaj Karamchandani happened to join the same jewellery firm that Vipul Gor was working at. For Vipul, who hails from the Kutch district of Gujarat in India, the connection was immediate when he discovered that Pankaj is Sindhi. "We have our own language in Kutch," says the 37-year-old, with obvious pride. "And it shares a 70 per cent similarity with the Sindhi tongue. I felt like Pankaj was 'one of my own people' because of this, and within a few months, we became very good friends."
Though Vipul soon got transferred to a sister branch, Pankaj followed suit not long after - and both ended up at the same location again. Equally ambitious (since they both hailed from business families), they decided to strike out on their own, and opened Monili Jewellers in 2005. No doubt, their assertion that they haven't had a single argument in the last 15 years is bound to raise a few eyebrows - what kind of utopian relationship is this? - but the two swear it's true. "We may be from different castes, but we have the exact same personality," says Pankaj, 36. "We like calm and peace, and both of us dislike raised voices. Our thinking is so alike, that we frequently have moments of 'cross connection' - where Vipul says exactly what's on my mind."
It's a rare connection and they know it - which is why they protect it. "We're extremely honest with each other," explains Vipul. Everyone knows that they can't tell us anything about the other; we are so open that we would take the matter up directly with each other and clear it out." Keep a glass wall between us, adds Pankaj. "That is the level of transparency between us. Our one rule is that there should be no misunderstanding between us. We are always united in our decisions and dealings."
Perhaps that integrity was born when it was just the two of them sloughing it out in the beginning. "Those were very tough days," recalls Pankaj. "But we were both equally determined to succeed." Today, the business employs over 100 staffers, and after all these years, the families too are well acquainted together, with any celebrations warranting the other partner an automatic invite. Ask them whether they're stronger friends or business partners now, and their response is ditto: it's 50-50 - and they intend to keep it that way.
karen@khaleejtimes.com