The two female owners of a rapidly growing digital publishing company, Direct Digital, celebrate their vast differences in what has been a remarkably successful business partnership. One is a degree educated woman in her early 30s with endless energy and creativity, and the other 20 years older, who left school when she was 16, with practicality and "street-smarts" as her driving force.

Managing Director Mandy Stevens describes her partnership with Director Helen Creswick as an "unlikely pairing". Ms Stevens studied at university for 7 years, earning dual degrees including law with first class honours, before starting a career as a solicitor. Ms Creswick, on the other hand, is 20 years her senior and left school at the age of 16. She spent most of her working life in secretarial/personal assistant roles until finding herself a single mother in her forties. She taught herself web design in order to generate extra income from home, right at the time when the internet was emerging.

Ms Stevens indicates that their very differences are the glue that holds the partnership together.

"Helen is a very clever person, and her instincts are refined. She is savvy with technology and understands that side of the business very well. Helen helps to break down ideas that I have and sort through those that might work. It is also a saving grace that our personalities don't clash!" she said.

Ms Creswick agrees, saying that Mandy's strengths are her vision, energy and creativity. "We both have different skills and leave each other to do what we are best at, rather than both of us trying to do the same thing. I am a lot older than Mandy and that tends to balance Mandy's enthusiasm for things."

They also consider it a blessing that they had not been friends prior to entering their partnership.

"I didn't know Helen before we came up with this business idea, and I am glad for it. We defined our relationship right from the start by our roles within the business. We both agree that the business comes first, and everything else can be resolved in the best interests of Direct Digital," Ms Stevens said.

Ms Creswick agrees, adding, "People often make the mistake of going into business with friends and if things don't work out, not only do they lose their business, but they lose a friend as well."

Something both Ms Stevens and Ms Creswick stress was very important was the creation of a good partnership agreement at the outset.

"There have been a couple of occasions where we have taken a different stance over a significant issue. We have been able to resolve them without a lot of fuss, but the partnership agreement is in place if we ever have a major disagreement - it sets out the course of action to take," Ms Creswick said.

"We are thankful for a good partnership agreement drafted at the outset - it has made obligations clearer, and it will avoid a messy fight if (touch wood) relations break down," Ms Stevens agrees.

Disagreements and differences in opinion don't form a major obstacle in their partnership.

‘When we have a difference in opinion, we tend to not deal with it straight away. We will have some quiet time where we either get over it and move on, or sit down and discuss it without heated conflict. If we can't agree, then we don't do it - simple as that. It is a partnership and there has to be give and take, even though it can be hard to accept that another person has the power of veto," Ms Stevens said.

Direct Digital was established in February 2006 by Ms Stevens and her business partner Ms Creswick, and the company has quickly grown to include eight online directories, including Australia's largest fundraising directory available both in online and print format, and the business now employs 7 staff with a turnover in excess of half a million dollars. Key clients include Microsoft, Bigpond and Tupperware.

Their advice to people starting out in a new business partnership is simple.

"Differences in experience, background and approach can be a wonderful opportunity. Work out your respective roles based on your strengths, and then agree to trust each other. Managed this way, your business can be far greater than if you were working alone," Ms Stevens said.