The Two of Us: Anita O'Connor and Cindy McCarroll

Business and pleasure do mix Anita O'Connor and Cindy McCarroll met when they were stay-at-home mums living in the same street. Now in business together with Inbox PA, the friends juggle a growing company, raising four boys under 6 between them.
Anita on Cindy

I met Cindy five years ago when we moved into the same street in Pyes Pa. We were both stay-at-home mums at the time and we immediately hit it off. Cindy's warm and bubbly nature is infectious and her "glass-half-full" outlook - one of the many endearing qualities that I admire about her.
I remember the day well when Cindy popped in for a coffee one day and started to talk about an exciting business idea. Her concept of providing real estate agents with support services on a contractual basis was great. Her enthusiasm about going into business together immediately rubbed off on me.
We spent a long time in the planning stage of our business. Cindy's motivation and drive to succeed were evident from early on. She always puts a positive spin on any obstacle that comes our way. She rises to any challenge.
We have both learned so much on a professional level but also, on a personal level, our friendship has strengthened. We enjoy running together which is a convenient way of keeping fit when time is limited, going to concerts and spending time with each other's families.
I look forward to the journey ahead with her!
Cindy on Anita

Anita and I were meant to cross paths. We met when we each built houses virtually next door to each other. We became close through some sociable lunches with mutual girlfriends, moving on to dinners. Our husbands became friends too. It was an easy walk home on those nights.
I knew Anita was passionate about real estate so she didn't take much convincing to go into business together offering support to estate agents.
Her great sense of humour makes Anita so much fun to be around. When you first meet her she puts people at ease. I love Anita's commitment to a project, she will always give 100 per cent. She is one of the most organised people I know and is always well prepared. I enjoy sitting down with Anita to chat about the business as she will always follow a process. She asks the questions that get us both thinking and planning.
One of the challenges we have faced is finding the time to work on our business while still juggling a young family. Between us we have four boys under 6. Meetings have often been carried out with raucous noise and play fighting in the background! If time is an issue we talk on the phone and are always emailing each other. Often we work late at night when the children are in bed. It's a great time to get things done as the house is quiet.