Can Friends Compete In Business And Still Be Friends?

The "Daily Dilemma" on the Sean and Richie Show is featured every weekday morning at 6:40am. We and the listeners take on someone's problems and try to offer different perspectives. Now, these don't have to be huge problems- it could just be something bothering you or a friend, or it could be some little thing you and another just can't agree on. If you have a dilemma to share we'd love to hear it just e-mail us here at the show.

Here is today's dilemma:

I own a pretty successful hair salon in a fairly small community. Over the last 10 years one of the girls that worked for me became a very good friend. For the last 6 years she has been the on site manager of the shop and we have had a great relationship.

About 6 months ago she came to me to resign and told me that she had been saving for years and was going to open her own shop. I was sad to see her go but I love her and was happy for her potential success. I never thought she was going to open her salon in the same town. She did.

She has told me that it wasn't get plan to compete with me directly but it was an incredible deal and she had to take it. I believe her, I understood and tried very hard to remain good friends but it was a strain. Especially when she hired one of my girls away from me. She assured me that she was approached by the girl though and said that she had told her she was already thinking of leaving anyway. I tried my best to see it as just business and not betrayal. She has been one of my dearest friends for so long, I just don't want to lose her in that way.

Well, long story short, lately the rumor mill has been in overdrive, the girls are always coming to me with stories about how my friend is doing this or that to steal business from me, or even saying bad things about me personally to clients. Most of these rumors turn out to be just that, not a lot of truth to them but again, it is really getting to me and in the way of our friendship. I really want to be happy for her but honestly the more success she has means less business for me.

Is it possible for us to remain friends and still compete with each other in business?